Government Outreach Update February 4, 2026

Today is the deadline for individual legislators to introduce bills for the 2026 Session; committees may still introduce bills tomorrow. The current count is just over 500 bills and joint resolutions.

Governor Rhoden has signed the first bill of the session, giving the Department of Health authority to spend $402 million in federal funds to implement the rural health transformation program.

Among bills that may be of interest to Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce members:

• HB 1209 would require employers to verify employee eligibility through the Department of Homeland Security E-verify program. It has been referred to the House State Affairs committee.
• HB 1059, to double the amounts required in a motor vehicle liability policy, was deferred to the 41^st Legislative Day by the House Transportation committee. Since our constitution limits legislative sessions to a maximum of 40 days, deferring something to the 41^st Day is considered a “polite” way of killing a bill.
• The issue of licensing hunting and fishing guides is an on-again, off-again proposition. One bill was withdrawn by the prime sponsor; two bills remain.
  • HB 1122 would require licensure of fishing guides. It is scheduled for a hearing in the House Ag Committee on Thursday, February 5.
  • SB 160 would require registration of fishing guides. The bill has been referred to Senate Ag Committee
• SB 115 is a bill to allow road hunting of mourning doves. It passed the Senate on a vote of 19-15 and is now headed to the House.

Several bills have been introduced to make the Tax Increment Financing laws more stringent.  Both Pierre and Fort Pierre have TIF districts. These bills will have their first committee hearing in the next couple of weeks. We will give a summary of any TIF changes that pass the finish line.

For comprehensive legislative information please visit the Legislative Research Council Website at https://sdlegislature.gov 

If you would like to contact our area legislators:

Senator Jim Mehlhaff -  Jim.Mehlhaff@sdlegislature.gov

Representative Will Mortenson - Will.Mortenson@sdlegislature.gov

Representative Mike Weisgram - Mike.Weisgram@sdlegislature.gov