South Dakota State Legislature
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| South Dakota State Legislature | |||||
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| Type | Bicameral | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houses | Senate House of Representatives |
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| President of the Senate | Dennis Daugaard | ||||
| Speaker of the House | Thomas Deadrick | ||||
| Members | 105 | ||||
| Political groups | Republican Party Democratic Party |
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| Last elections | November 7, 2006 | ||||
| Meeting place | South Dakota State Capitol | ||||
| Web site | http://legis.state.sd.us/ | ||||
The South Dakota State Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of South Dakota. It is a bicameral legislative body, consisting of the Senate, which has 35 members, and the House of Representatives, which has 70 members. The two houses are similar in most respects; the Senate alone holds the right to confirm gubernatorial appointments to certain offices. In addition, the Senate votes by roll call vote, whereas the larger house uses an electronic voting system.
The Legislature meets at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre. It begins its annual session of the second Tuesday of January each year. The legislative session lasts 40 working days in odd-numbered years, and 35 days working days in even numbered years. Generally, the legislature meets every business day until the session ends, excepting on last day which is delayed to allow for consideration of gubernatorial vetoes. In addition, the legislature occasionally meets on Saturdays to make-up for recesses on holidays such as Presidents' Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
The legislature selects, from its membership, an Executive Board to tend to administrative matters during the time when the legislature is not in session. The administrative support for the legislature is provided by the Legislative Research Council.
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[edit] Selection of state legislators
Members of both houses of the state legislature are elected in November of every even-numbered year to serve a two-year term. Since 1992, legislators have been limited to serving four consecutive terms in a single house. Vacancies in the legislature are filled by gubernatorial appointment.
State legislators are elected from 35 legislative districts; each district elects one senator and two representatives. In 34 districts, representatives are elected at-large from the entire district. District 28, however, is divided into two house districts, each of which elects one representative. This is meant to ensure greater representation of Native Americans in the legislature.
Legislative districts are redrawn every ten years, following the United States Census. The districts currently in effect were adopted by the legislature in 2001. Each district encompasses approximately 21,500 people.
As a result of a 2005 court order, several legislative districts in the southwest corner of the state were redrawn for the 2006 elections. District 26 was split into two single-member house districts, much like District 28. The state appealed the District Court decision that resulted in these changes, but the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the lower court's ruling. The legislature decided not to appeal the decision.
[edit] Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the South Dakota State Legislature. It is made up of 35 members, one representing each legislative district. The President of the Senate is the Lt. Governor, currently Republican Dennis Daugaard. The president only votes in the case of a tie.
The senate elects one member to serve as President pro tempore; this officer presides in the absence of the president, appoints committees, and assigns legislation to committee. The current President pro tem is Senator Bob Gray, a Republican from Pierre.
At present, the Senate has 20 Republicans and 15 Democrats. Each party selects a floor leader. The current majority leader is David Knudson, a Republican from Sioux Falls; the minority leader is Scott Heidepriem, a Democrat who is also from Sioux Falls. In addition, each party also selects a number of whips, who assist the floor leader in leading their respective caucuses.
[edit] Membership
[edit] House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Dakota State Legislature. It is made up of 70 members, two from each legislative district. The presiding officer of the house is the Speaker of the House, elected by the members. The current speaker is Republican Thomas Deadrick of Platte. In addition, the house also elects a speaker pro tempore, who presides in the absence of the speaker and traditionally succeeds the speaker in the next legislature. The current speaker pro tempore is Tim Rave, a Republican from Baltic.
The current House has 49 Republicans, 20 Democrats, and one vacancy. Each party selects a floor leader. The current majority leader is Larry Rhoden (R) of Union Center; the minority leader is Dale Hargens (D) of Miller. In addition, each party selects a number of whips to aid the floor leaders in leading their respective caucuses.
[edit] Membership
[edit] See also
- South Dakota
- South Dakota State Capitol
- Governor of South Dakota
- Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota
- Legislature
- Bicameralism
[edit] External links
- Legislative Research Council - Official homepage of the South Dakota State Legislature
- Newspaper coverage: Sioux Falls Argus Leader, Rapid City Journal
[edit] Notes
- ^ Appointed by Governor Mike Rounds on September 21, 2007 to complete the term of Alan Hanks. [1]
- ^ Alan Hanks resigned July 2, 2007 to become mayor of Rapid City. [2].
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