The South Dakota Legislature worked through a packed agenda Tuesday as lawmakers reached Crossover Day, the deadline for bills to clear their chamber of origin or die for the session.
Senate Bill 239, a proposal to give tax relief to data center operators, failed a reconsideration vote 16–17. The vote was delayed nearly 40 minutes while senators attempted to locate Sen. John Carley, whose absence prevented a tie that could have triggered a lieutenant governor tiebreaker.
Senators approved Senate Joint Resolution 508, a proposal to ask voters whether the lieutenant governor should retain the power to preside over the Senate. The measure passed 19–14 following ongoing disputes about tie‑breaking authority. It now heads to a House committee.
Debate continued over the scope and cost of a major Capitol restoration project. Senators advanced a dramatically pared‑down version of Senate Bill 199, amending the proposal to set aside just $101 for the restoration fund to keep the bill alive while budget talks continue. Earlier estimates placed total restoration costs between $150 million and $200 million.
In the House, lawmakers advanced House Bill 1082, which would cover the full cost of school meals for students eligible for free and reduced‑price lunches. The bill passed with strong bipartisan support after years of unsuccessful attempts.
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