Government Outreach Update January 20, 2026

The PACC staff took the opportunity this week to participate in the Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Pierre and Fort Pierre received the Rooster Rush Cacklin' Community Award for 2025!

The deadline for introducing bills in the 2026 Legislative Session is a couple of weeks away; however, various legislative rules provide for the possibility of introducing a new idea until the Legislature has adjourned sine die (Latin for "without day") which means the official close of a legislative session.

The list of bills which have been introduced now tops 200. South Dakota is somewhat unique among state legislatures in that every bill which is introduced gets a hearing, unless the prime sponsor chooses to withdraw the bill from consideration. In other states, not every bill gets a public hearing.

Among the bills which could affect PACC members:

- HB 1061 would require cash to be accepted for most in-person transactions of $100 or less. House Concurrent Resolution 6004 is similar in that it encourages the use of physical cash in transactions. Concurrent Resolutions are meant to express the thoughts of the legislature without having the force of law. Both measures have been referred to the House Commerce and Energy Committee.

- HB 1072 would give each state employee a one and one-half percent raise. There has been concern that Governor Rhoden’s budget proposal in December contained no pay raises for teachers, state employees, or community support providers. All three of our local legislators are co-sponsoring this bill, which has been assigned to the Joint Committee on Appropriations.

- HB 1058 would require licenses for online pari-mutuel wagering pools for horse and dog races. This bill also has support from all three local legislators.

- SB 16, to provide for the licensure of fishing and hunting guides, has been withdrawn at the request of the prime sponsor.

As the session progresses, we will be highlighting additional bills that could affect our business community.

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