Reed: 95th session starts in Pierre

Legislative report

Posted

The 95th South Dakota legislative session has started. During the first week of session the Legislature is organized and we get started working on bills for the session. We also hear from the governor on the State of State, the chief justice on the State of the Judiciary, and a chairman of one of the Native American tribes on issues important to the tribes.

Brookings/South Dakota State University Day at the Legislature occurred last week. It was great to see more than 100 members of the community travel to Pierre to hear about state government and visit with legislators on issues important to them, SDSU and Brookings.   

One of the best parts of last week was hearing during Gov. Noem’s State of the State address that revenues are looking better and that the state’s budget should include a raise for state workers, teachers, and Medicaid providers. I was also happy to hear that she is willing to approve industrial hemp with some conditions to insure the safety of South Dakotans. She also supported the bioprocessing initiative proposed by South Dakota State University and South Dakota School of Mines & Technology to increase the economic value of ag commodities and create jobs in South Dakota. I’m working with fellow legislators to allocate funds to plan a bio-processing building in the research park where industry and university researchers can work together to create products and businesses using the bio-resources available in South Dakota.

Chief Justice David Gilbertson, who is a Brookings High School and SDSU graduate, is retiring from the Supreme Court after 25 years of service. It was an honor to be present for his last State of the Judiciary message.  He leaves a great legacy in promoting and successfully setting up problem solving courts. He started out with Drug Courts and moved on to starting DUI, Veteran’s Treatment, and Mental Health Courts. He stated that national studies show up to 80% of children who have a parent in prison will someday also end up in prison, creating a revolving door with great consequences. His efforts to start problem solving courts is working to stop the revolving door. Mr. Chief Justice, you did fight the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. Thank you.

The Legislature had a rocky start this session when the executive board chose to have the Secretary of Tribal Affairs speak to the Legislature instead of one of the tribal chairmen. I was happy to see that the decision was reversed and the chairman of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Lester Thompson was invited to speak. He did a good job letting the Legislature know that we need to better communicate with the tribes and get their input upfront on issues important to all South Dakotans. 

I will be working on mental health care issues again this session. This week a resolution to support Peer Support Services in South Dakota will be heard in committee. During the Mental Health Care, Increase Community Services and Caregiver Supports Task Force, the idea of Peer Support Services in South Dakota was suggested.  Peer Support Services is a mental health model of care which consists of peer support providers who assist individuals with their recovery from mental illness and substance use disorders. Through lived experiences as a person with a behavioral health issue, peer support specialists have a unique ability to engage support, and motivate another individual toward health, wellness, resiliency and recovery. As the chair of the task force, I will be carrying the resolution through the Legislature.

Please continue to let me know your thoughts on legislative issues. I can be reached at tim.reed@sdlegislature.gov.