The South Dakota House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Dakota Legislature. It consists of 70 members, two from each legislative district. Two of the state's 35 legislative districts, Districts 26 and 28, are each subdivided into two single-member districts (26A/26B and 28A/28B). The South Dakota House of Representatives meets at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre.
South Dakota House of Representatives | |
|---|---|
| South Dakota Legislature | |
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
Term limits | 4 terms (8 years) |
| History | |
New session started | January 10, 2023 |
| Leadership | |
Speaker pro tempore | |
Majority Leader | |
Minority Leader | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 70 |
 | |
Political groups | Majority
Minority
|
Length of term | 2 years |
| Authority | Article III, South Dakota Constitution |
| Salary | $12,850.80/session + $151 per legislative day [a] [1] |
| Elections | |
Last election | November 8, 2022 |
Next election | November 5, 2024 |
| Redistricting | Legislative Control |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| House of Representatives Chamber South Dakota State Capitol Pierre, South Dakota | |
| Website | |
| South Dakota State Legislature | |
Composition
edit| Affiliation | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus)
|
Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Democratic | Vacant | ||
| Start of 90th Legislature (2015) | 58 | 12 | 70 | 0 |
| Start of 92nd Legislature (2017) | 60 | 10 | 70 | 0 |
| June 27, 2017[b] | 59 | 69 | 1 | |
| September 5, 2017[b] | 60 | 70 | 0 | |
| November 23, 2017[c] | 59 | 69 | 1 | |
| Start of 94th Legislature (2019) | 59 | 11 | 70 | 0 |
| Start of 96th Legislature (2021) | 62 | 8 | 70 | 0 |
| Start of 98th Legislature (2023) | 63 | 7 | 70 | 0 |
| November 13, 2023[d] | 62 | 69 | 1 | |
| January 16, 2024[d] | 69 | 1 | ||
| February 10, 2024[d] | 63 | 70 | 0 | |
| Latest voting share | 90% | 10% | ||
Leadership
edit| Position | Name | Party | District |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speaker of the House | Hugh Bartels | Republican | 5 |
| Speaker pro tempore | Mike Stevens | Republican | 18 |
| Majority Leader | Will Mortenson | Republican | 24 |
| Assistant Majority Leader | Taylor Rehfeldt | Republican | 14 |
| Majority Whips | Rocky Blare | Republican | 21 |
| Gary Cammack | Republican | 29 | |
| Kirk Chafee | Republican | 29 | |
| Becky Drury | Republican | 34 | |
| James Wangsness | Republican | 23 | |
| Minority Leader | Oren Lesmeister | Democratic | 28A |
| Assistant Minority Leader | Erin Healy | Democratic | 10 |
| Minority Whip | Kameron Nelson | Democratic | 10 |
| Peri Pourier | Democratic | 27 |
Members of the House for the 2023 Legislative Session
editDiversity among representatives
editIn 2022, Democrat Kameron Nelson from District 10 became the first openly gay man elected to South Dakota's state house. He was sworn in in 2023.[8]
Past composition of the House of Representatives
editSee also
editNotes
edit- ^ Legislative pay must be one-fifth of median household income of South Dakota
- ^ a b Don Haggar (R–10) resigned on June 27, 2017, to become the leader of the South Dakota chapter of Americans for Prosperity.[2] Sioux Falls former police chief Doug Barthel (R) was appointed to replace Haggar in September.[3]
- ^ Craig Tieszen (R–34) died in November 2022 in a kayak accident.[4]
- ^ a b c Jess Olson (R–34) resigned on November 13, 2023, for health reasons.[5] Incumbent legislator Becky Drury (R–32) was appointed to succeed Olson in January 2024 after moving districts.[6] Kristin Conzet (R) was then appointed in February 2024 to fill the vacancy left by Drury in the 32nd district.[7]
References
edit- ^ "S.D. Legislators' salary raise strains budget". November 17, 2020.
- ^ Toay, Adel (June 27, 2017). "Don Haggar Resigns From State Legislature, Moving To SD Americans For Prosperity". Dakota News Now. Archived from the original on August 3, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
- ^ Ferguson, Dana (September 5, 2017). "Ex-police chief appointed to District 10 House seat in Sioux Falls". USA Today. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
- ^ Huber, Chris (November 23, 2017). "State Rep. Craig Tieszen dies in kayak accident". Rapid City Journal. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
- ^ "South Dakota representative announces resignation". Dakota News Now. November 13, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
- ^ Huber, Makenzie (January 16, 2024). "Noem appoints current legislator to vacant Rapid City seat". South Dakota Searchlight. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
- ^ Hult, John (February 12, 2024). "Noem appoints business owner, former sheriff's deputy to state Senate seat". South Dakota Searchlight. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
- ^ Matzen, Morgan (November 9, 2022). "Kameron Nelson is first openly gay man elected to South Dakota Legislature". Argus Leader. Retrieved November 17, 2023.