Redistricting by District 24 Senator Mary Duvall (July 27, 2021).
After months of waiting, we are about to receive official data from the U.S. Census Bureau which will allow us to move forward with our Constitutional obligation to reconfigure the state’s legislative districts. The official redistricting numbers will be released in a “legacy” format on August 16 at data.census.gov. This data, available through the website, will be in the form of zip files to import into databases. The same data will be released by the U.S. Census Bureau on September 30 in a format that will be easier to view and download.
In South Dakota, we anticipate that by the last week in August, legislative staff will be able to have the data organized and loaded into our redistricting software to begin the process of drawing maps for the state.
The Legislative Redistricting Committees will meet August 30 in Pierre to review the data and begin charting our path forward. We will need to make decisions regarding the minimum and maximum population allowable in each district, as well as the size of the conurbation areas around Sioux Falls and Rapid City. We are planning a series of meetings in October at various locations throughout the state to solicit public input.
The redistricting process is something we do once every ten years. I believe it’s paramount that we involve the public as much as possible. As our redistricting committee moves forward, my goal is to give South Dakotans a voice in our discussions. Each of our committee meetings is broadcast through South Dakota Public Broadcasting, and each meeting includes opportunity for public testimony. We are developing a website that contains information needed to understand our constitutional and statutory requirements for redistricting. We are researching ways to allow the public to submit potential maps for the legislature to consider.
As the process unfolds, your thoughts and comments are welcome. You can send a general email to sdredistricting@sdlegislature.gov, or reach me via email at maryduvall@midco.net.
Public meeting dates for the Redistricting Committees so far are:
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Rapid City (Oct. 11 at 8am MT)
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Mission (Oct. 11 at 3pm CT)
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Mobridge (Oct. 12 at 8am CT)
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Aberdeen (Oct. 12 at 1pm CT)
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Watertown (Oct. 12 at 5pm CT)
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Sioux Falls (Oct. 13 at 2pm and 6pm)
Specific locations for each meeting have yet to be determined, but the public will be notified once details are known.
South Dakota legislative district boundaries from 2010 census.
Image credit South Dakota Legislative Research Council.
***NOTE: A PREVIOUS COLUM BY SENATOR DUVALL IS BELOW.***
IM26 by District 24 Senator Mary Duvall (June 13, 2021).
IM26 passed by the voters last fall legalizes medical marijuana in South Dakota. While the measure itself goes into effect on July 1, that does not automatically mean that those who want to use medical cannabis will be able to go to a local dispensary and buy some starting on July 1. The measure itself contains several specific dates for implementing various portions of the law. It also creates an oversight committee to monitor implementation and to make recommendations to the Legislature and the Department of Health on possible improvements.
At its meeting in early June, the LRC’s executive board appointed the 14 members for the IM26 Oversight Committee. Several District 24 residents are on that committee including Ft. Pierre resident Brian Doherty, Pierre Police Captain Bryan Walz, DCI Assistant Director Brian Zeeb, AG staff member Mathew Templar, and Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon.
By October 29, the Department of Health must adopt rules to establish and implement criteria related to patient cards, medical marijuana establishments, and related topics governing medical cannabis. The rules-making process is very detailed and can take several months to complete. The Department of Health is currently taking input from stakeholders and is working to have a set of rules finalized in July. The Department plans to have a public hearing on the rules in August, before going to the legislature’s Rules Review Committee in September.
By November 18, the Department must be able to issue registry identification cards to qualifying patients and caregivers.
Patients who have a qualifying debilitating medical condition must see their physician, who will determine whether the patient is likely to receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from the medical use of cannabis. While physicians are not allowed to prescribe medical cannabis, they may certify that, in their professional opinion, the patient is likely to receive a benefit from the use of cannabis.
Patients with this certification can apply to the Department of Health for a registry identification card. These cards will be valid for up to one year. The patient will then be able to take the card to a licensed dispensary to purchase the medical marijuana. Only licensed dispensaries will be able to sell medical cannabis; pharmacies will not be able to sell the product. Also, since medical cannabis is not considered a prescription, it will be subject to state and local taxes.
The Department of Health has established a web page (doh.sd.gov/news/MedicalMarijuana.aspx) to keep the public informed of the state’s medical marijuana program. The page includes a FAQ section to help provide additional information on the topic. Also, please feel free to contact me with questions, and I will work to find answers for you.
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