Law updating gender references for Governor, other state officials takes effect tomorrow

Legislation passed by the 2023 South Dakota Legislature that updates references to the “governor” and other public officers (HB 1175) takes effect July 1, 2023.

This bill reflects the fact that South Dakota has its first woman Governor and changes references to the Governor and other officials in state statute.

Governor Kristi Noem says every little girl in South Dakota should realize that she can grow up to do whatever she wants to do – to be whoever she wants to be. She says bill fixes state laws so that they reflect the fact that women and men can both attain offices like governor.