The 2020 legislative session began today (1/14) and the 95th legislative session features many important days during which many pieces of K-12 related legislation will be debated and voted on.
This year’s session contains 37 legislative days and kicked off with Gov. Kristi Noem’s State of the State address this afternoon (1/14).
Friday, February 7 marks the final day for bills and joint resolutions to be introduced and the following week comes a very key for K-12 when the Joint Appropriations committee adopts revenue projections for Fiscal Year 2021, which will ultimately determine whether or not schools receive a funding increase.
The following week brings ASBSD’s Legislative Day, which will be held on Tuesday, February 18 AND coincides with South Dakota School Board Recognition Week, which will take place from February 17-21.
February’s final week marks “Crossover Day”, which means all bills have to be passed through the original chamber they were introduced in order to continue on in the legislative process, on Thursday, February 27.
On Thursday, March 5 of session’s penultimate week all bills and resolutions – save for the general fund bill – must pass from committee to the floor of the chamber they are located.
The final week of the main run of legislative session starts with all bills and resolutions – save for the general fund bill – needing to pass the House or Senate, whichever they are in, by the end of the day on Monday, March 9.
Session’s remaining three days will accommodate any conference committees needed for the House and Senate to attempt to reach an agreement on a disputed bill and for the passage of the general fund bill, with the final full day of session set for Thursday, March 12.
Finally, legislative session comes to an official end on Monday, March 30 with “Veto Day.”
Stay up-to-date on everything from legislative session, by checking the ASBSD Blog and Bill Tracker page.