The South Dakota Legislature returns Monday (March 30, 2026) for the 38th and final day of the 2026 session. They will consider Gov. Larry Rhoden’s vetoes and a stalled Richmond Lake dam funding bill still unresolved.
The day opens at 11 a.m. with the Joint Committee on Appropriations. The 18-member panel is scheduled to consider letters of intent on four items: the Emergency Food Assistance and Commodity Supplemental Food programs, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funding, school finance accountability, and a special appropriation under SB 130.
Both chambers convene at 1 p.m.
The House calendar lists two of Rhoden’s vetoes for possible action. Overriding a veto requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers.
HB 1077 would classify cultivated protein food products as adulterated food. Following Rhoden’s veto in February, the legislature passed a compromise bill, SB 124. It imposes a five-year moratorium on the sale, manufacture, or distribution of cultivated protein products. Rhoden also vetoed HB 1138, which would require the licensure of non-medical home care agencies and set penalties for operating without a license.
The Senate is also scheduled to consider executive vetoes, but only if the House first overturns Rhoden’s vetoes on the two House bills.
SB 121A also remains in conference committee. The bill would transfer money and appropriate funds for the replacement of the Richmond Lake dam and spillway near Aberdeen, while declaring an emergency. Conferees had not reported agreement on the measure as of the published calendars.
If the conference committee does not report before adjournment on Monday, SB 121A dies. In South Dakota, unpassed bills do not carry over to the next legislative session.
By Todd Epp | South Dakota Broadcasters Association.
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