A proposed constitutional amendment would change who presides over the South Dakota Senate.
The House State Affairs Committee sent Senate Joint Resolution 508 to the House floor Monday on a 9-3 vote.
Supporters say the Senate should govern itself without the executive branch presiding or voting in ties.
Republican Senator Chris Karr from Sioux Falls says the question is institutional independence.
Opponents say the lieutenant governor’s Senate role is common nationally and warn the office shouldn’t lose a duty without gaining another.
Kellie Rittershausen leads the National Lieutenant Governors Association.
Recently, the South Dakota Supreme Court issued an advisory opinion that said the lt. governor could vote in the event of a tie in the Senate.
If the Legislature passes the resolution, the matter would be decided by voters in this fall’s general election.
Comments