Today is the final day of the 2020 legislative session. The final day usually deals only with vetoes by the governor, but due to the COVID-19 crisis we will hear 11 emergency-related bills.
Rather than go to the state Capitol in Pierre, most legislators will participate via Microsoft Teams software. This will be the first time either chamber has debated and voted remotely.
All the bills are temporary, with most expiring in a year or less. Here’s a rundown:
1. Education bill to allow minimum number of student instruction hours to be waived this year and allow virtual/remote hours to be included in the total hours. Schools won’t have to meet minimum number of hours currently required by law.
2. Education bill to allow the administration to waive school district accountability requirements this year. Required standardized testing, drills, etc. would be waived. Kids won’t have to take state tests.
3. Unemployment insurance bill to allow state to waive first week waiting period so workers filing for unemployment could receive their first check immediately. The bill would also allow employees to file a claim that would not be charged against the employer’s unemployment insurance account.
4. Department of Health bill to add COVID-19 to list of diseases so public health directives can be made.
5. Department of Health bill to allow the Secretary of Health to restrict gatherings in public places during public health emergencies.
6. Department of Public Safety bill to provide authority for a 90-day grace period upon expiration of drivers’ licenses and CDLs.
7. Allow governor to temporarily suspend statutory requirement to conduct business during emergencies; licensure; DVM regulations.
8. Allow schools and local government to postpone elections and expand early voting.
9. Provide counties emergency authority to declare an emergency. Grant counties similar authority as cities.
10. Economic bill to create a sub-fund to help small businesses adversely affected by the virus.
11. Provide the authorization for expenditure of federal funds.
There are also a couple of vetoes that we have to decide if we want to override.
My concerns with the 11 bills are that they won’t go to a committee for passage, but instead the Legislature will serve as a committee of the whole.
That might limit the extent each bill is scrutinized. The other side of the coin is the process will remain completely transparent to the public, the bills expire in a short time, and these are unprecedented times.
That brings to mind Representative Bob Glanzer from Huron. Bob has come down with the virus and is in critical condition in Sioux Falls. Also, his wife Penny has come down with the virus, but is doing much better. She is in the Huron hospital. Please keep both Bob and Penny in your prayers.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent you. Stay safe.
