South Dakota legislation · 101st Legislature (2026)
South Dakota SJR508: proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election, amendments to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota
Status: In committee, March 4, 2026
proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election, amendments to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, removing the lieutenant governor as presiding officer of the Senate.
What the bill says
A joint resolution proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election, amendments to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, removing the lieutenant governor as presiding officer of the Senate.
From the introduced text, February 4, 2026:
A JOINT RESOLUTION proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election, amendments to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, removing the lieutenant governor as presiding officer of the Senate. Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota: Section 1. [ADDED: That at the next general election held in the state, the following amendments to Article IV and Article XVI of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, as set forth in sections 2 and 3 of this Joint Resolution, which is hereby agreed to, be submitted to the electors of the state for approval.] Section 2. That Article IV, § 5 of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, be AMENDED: § 5. [DELETED: The lieutenant governor shall be president of the senate but shall have no vote unless the senators be equally divided. ] The lieutenant governor shall perform the duties and exercise the powers that may be delegated to [DELETED: him] [ADDED: the lieutenant governor] by the Governor. Section 3. That Article XVI, § 6 of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, be REPEALED: [DELETED: On trial of an impeachment against the Governor the lieutenant governor shall not act as a member of the court.] Underscores indicate new language. [DELETED: Overstrikes] indicate deleted language.
Sponsors
- Steve Kolbeck (R, SD-002) · primary sponsor
- Tamara Grove (R, SD-026)
- Joy Hohn (R, SD-009)
- Kevin Jensen (R, SD-016)
- Chris Karr (R, SD-011)
- Mark Lapka (R, SD-023)
- Jim Mehlhaff (R, SD-024)
- Lauren Nelson (R, SD-018)
- Tom Pischke (R, 25)
- Mykala Voita (R, SD-021)
Latest actions
- : Do Pass
- : Do Pass
- : Scheduled for hearing
- : First read in House and referred to State Affairs
- : Do Pass
- : Do Pass
- : Scheduled for hearing
- : First read in Senate and referred to State Affairs
Votes
- Do Pass (March 4, 2026): 25 yea, 42 nay, failed
- Do Pass (March 2, 2026): 9 yea, 3 nay, passed
- Do Pass (February 24, 2026): 19 yea, 14 nay, passed
- Do Pass (February 23, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Ballot Measures, Constitutional Amendments, Senate Joint Resolution, Organization of the Legislature
Common questions
- What is SJR508?
- SJR508 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (101st Legislature (2026)): proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election, amendments to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota.
- What does SJR508 do?
- In its own words: A joint resolution proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election, amendments to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, removing the lieutenant governor as presiding officer of the Senate.
- What is the status of SJR508?
- In committee as of March 4, 2026. Latest action: Do Pass (March 4, 2026).
- Who sponsored SJR508?
- Steve Kolbeck (R, SD-002), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SJR508?
- On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/27169
Source: official South Dakota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.