February 24, 2025:
Events to mark the 100th legislative session in South Dakota are being planned for April, but the registration deadline is at the end of this week.
Current and former legislators, legislative staff, interns and pages wanting to attend the activities need to sign up before Saturday, March 1, 2025. Registration can be done through the South Dakota Historical Society Foundation website (https://www.sdhsf.org/donate/100th-legislative-session-reception-reunion.html).
The April 12 events include:
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11a.m.-2p.m.– legislative photographer at the Capitol Rotunda to take group photos of former legislators and other attendees
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2-3p.m.– program at the Capitol Rotunda
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4p.m.– reception at the Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center
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6p.m.– dance at the Ramkota featuring the 147th Army Band of the South Dakota National Guard.
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Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
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Tickets for the reception and dance are $20 each. Registrants will be required to designate their affiliation with the legislature (current or former legislator, legislative staff, intern, page, or other affiliation) when they purchase tickets.
The commemorative events were organized by the One Hundredth Session Planning Committee whose members are Lieutenant Governor Tony Venhuizen (Chair); Senator David Wheeler (Vice Chair) (R-Huron); Representative Erin Healy (D-Sioux Falls); Senators Stephanie Sauder (R-Bryant) and Steve Kolbeck (R-Brandon); former state lawmakers Bernie Hunhoff, Jean Hunhoff, and Matt Michels; and State Historian Dr. Ben Jones.
July 17, 2025:
Details to commemorate next year’s (2025) milestone of holding the 100th session of the South Dakota Legislature are starting to come together.
This week (July 15, 2024), the One Hundredth Session Planning Committee unveiled an official logo and set a reunion and reception date for Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Pierre. Special events marking the occasion will start at 2pm CT in the Capitol Rotunda, with the reception at the Ramkota starting at 5pm CT. Current and former state legislators, as well as lobbyists and others who worked with lawmakers over the years are invited.
Committee Chair Representative Tony Venhuizen of Sioux Falls says South Dakota became a state in 1889, but the state Legislature met every other year until the start of the 1960s, when it switched to annual sessions. He says that’s why the 100th regular session of the Legislature doesn’t happen until 2025.
Registration information and further details– including possible mementos, education and outreach and historical displays– will be announced later.
In addition to Venhuizen, others on the One Hundredth Session Planning Committee are vice chair Senator David Wheeler (R-Huron), Representatives Erin Healy (D-Sioux Falls) and Stephanie Sauder (R-Bryant); and Senators Jean Hunhoff (R-Yankton) and Steve Kolbeck (R-Brandon). Also serving on the committee are State Historian Dr. Ben Jones and former state lawmakers Bernie Hunhoff and Matt Michels.
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