SD Legislature

2025 SD Legislative Watching for the Environment
The legislature starts on Tuesday the 14th of January 2025 and ends March 13th, 2025, except for Veto Day on March 31st, 2025
All draft bills are due at the LRC on February 3rd and February 5th is the last day for individuals to introduce bills. On February 25th, not-appropriations bills must pass house of origin.

We have yet to fully rewrite this page for 2025,  
 Scroll down for information on

    1. SD Legislative Research Council legislative resources
    2. Environmental lobbyist efforts
    3. Bill Tracking note
    4.  E-mails of all House & Senate members (bulk lists) and key Committee lists

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    1. SD LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COUNCIL

 - GENERAL RESOURCES FOR SESSION

We provide these links for now.

2025 Legislative Calendar  
https://mylrc.sdlegislature.gov/api/documents/267376.pdf

2025 Legislators:
https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Listing/70

 2025 Bill List:     https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bills/70

2025 Committees:https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Committees/702025

 

Bill Status Report 2025 – this gives you a summary of the status of all bills at the time you down load it.

 https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/BillStatus/70

 MyLRC  –

MyLRC is a state web page were you can set up an account and add bills, committee/chambers, statutes changed to your lists so that LRC will alert you by e-mail, when actions on them/by them are taken. If you are tracking mutiple bills, LRC will keep you appraised of their progress. 

https://mylrc.sdlegislature.gov/

PHAS List of 2025 legislative Cracker Barrels
https://phas-wsd.org/sd-legislative-cracker-barrels-2022/

CONTACT LEGISLATORS 
List of all 2025 legislators – click on yours for their e-mail address, which is FIRST NAME.LAST NAME@sdlegislature.gov (there is a dot between first and last name) If there are legislators with the same name it gets more complex. Visit: 

Find my  legislator – https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Find or full list https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Listing/70

Or call and leave a message with the pages; tell them who message is for, the message, who you are. The page will deliver your phone message to their desk, Senate 773-3821, House 773-3851
If you scroll down to the bottom of the page we have the e-mails for this years full house and full senate –  and will be adding key committee e-mails also

TESTIFY REMOTELY IN COMMITTEES BY MICROSOFT TEAMS

Depending on the Committee, you can testify remotely. The instructions for 2022 on remote testifying may still apply:
Groups or individuals wanting to testify before any committee via remote means or submit a digital handout or written testimony may submit their
request and/or materials in advance to committee’s e-mail. Maybe there is a 24 hour advance deadline or not — The committees’ staff person has
to receive your request and reply with an e-mail showing connection details, thus likely best to send the day before. You are to go to each
committees web page and at the top of the page, you find in red text  the instructions on how to register to testify by Microsoft teams. 
Instructions on how to register to testify remotely occur on the top of the Committees web page in red text. If testifying time is limited, they
may give preference to those in the room.

    2. ENVIRONMENTAL LOBBIST EFFORTS

Conservation Groups in 2025  with lobbyists-
Dakota Rural Action, Sierra Club SD Chapter, Izaak Walton League of America – SD Division, & SD Camo-Coalition,  usually have full or part time lobbyists who are located in Pierre. Black Hills Clean Water Alliance sent in a Lobbyist as needed last year.
The above may send out legislative alerts or weekly updates to members/friends.

SD Camo Coalition in 2025 has a web site  & George Vandel will lobby for SD Wildlife Federation. They normally send out some alerts and you can sign up for them on their web site. See:.  https://sdwfcamo.net
Dakota Rural Action  (DRA) posts bill tracking and sends alerts to members.  Chase Jensen and Melissa McCauley  were their  lobbyists in 2024 & will be so again in 2025: https://www.dakotarural.org/our-work/legislature/#!
Black Hills Clean Water Alliance e-mails out alerts to it’s mailing list and in 2024 they posted some info to Facebook for the bills they follow. Lilias Jarding was a  part time lobbyist in 2024 & we assume she will do so again in 2025: https://www.facebook.com/bhcleanwateralliance/
 Izaak Walton League of America   Paul Lepisto is lobbyist for Izaak Walton League, SD Division, and sends e-mails alerts/updates to members.  It is an excellent resource, but you need to join Izaak Walton to get it (Contact local president Mark Boddicker to join in Black Hills Area <boddicker@mt-rushmore.net>)
Sierra Club, SD Chapter –
  SD Sierra Club Chapter has hired 2 lobbyists in 2025- Michael Linngren and Ben Fischbach .  They may send out alerts to members and or  BHG of Sierra Club may post alerts on their Facebook page.
 Prairie Hills Audubon Society  (PHAS) may do some lobbying and bill tracking, which we will post here – scroll down.  Nancy Hilding is normally a part time lobbyist – but she lobbies remotely from Black Hawk and normally does not drive to Pierre.    We may start  e-mailing out some updates or alerts to our e-mail mailing list, in addition to these web pages.  

3. BILL TRACKING

Extensive bill tracking- in  past years Nancy Hilding studied all bills and engaged in bill tracking for environmental and good government bills that was placed on this web site, which she updated every few days. If you want copies of previous years bill tracking, contact Nancy.  

This year DRA will have a google spreadsheet published on their web page with bill tracking of environmental and “good government” bills, while they will miss a few biodiversity or outdoor recreation bills we follow, they get most of the pollution prevention, climate change and good government bills.

4. MEETINGS ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE

The Black Hills Group of the South Dakota Sierra Club is hosting a program with Seth Tupper, Editor in Chief of South Dakota Searchlight, at 6 p.m., Thursday, January 23, 2025 at the Outdoor Campus West. Tupper will speak on environment topics in the legislature. The program is free and open to the public. There will be a link to watch the program via Zoom.  We will post information on PHAS Calendar for this date.

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SD Advocacy Network for Women is hosting a series of webinars in January 2025 on how to engage with the legislature
 Legislative Essentials,-,All you need to know to increase your advocacy impact is at your fingertips in the three-part Legislative Essentials training series.  Each session is one hour long and begins at 7:00 PM Central and 6:00 PM Mountain.
January 14 – Legislative Essentials Part II   
 https://zoom.us/j/96826758216?pwd=vE44we8LXubwJegi9ldqnzTEdEc6qK.1

The 2025 Legislative Calendar – – Presenter — Kitty Kinsman, former Secretary, SD Dept. of Health and public policy consultant. Understand how a bill becomes law in our state and review key dates in the upcoming legislative session. On 1/14/25

Communicating with Your Legislator – Presenter — Casey Murschel, former Representative, SD District 12 and President, South Dakotans for Healthy Families.  Learn how to build effective relationships with your legislators, regardless of their political affiliation.  We suspect this is on 1/21/25

“How to Use the LRC Website and MyLRC+” – This already happened on 1/7/25.  Here’s your link to the recordingof Betty Oldenkamp’s session on LRC web site – https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11WzjCEkgh4oAsQYB5xvT666JiA_Qtfqe?usp=drive_link

5. LEGISLATORS CONTACT INFO 2025:

Thanks to PHAS Volunteer Laural Bidwell for creating these lists for us,

Bobbi.Andera@sdlegislature.gov, Amber.Arlint@sdlegislature.gov, Julie.Auch@sdlegislature.gov, Aaron.Aylward@sdlegislature.gov, Jessica.Bahmuller@sdlegislature.gov, Jeff.Bathke@sdlegislature.gov, Heather.Baxter@sdlegislature.gov, Roger.DeGroot@sdlegislature.gov, Mike.Derby@sdlegislature.gov, Steve.Duffy@sdlegislature.gov, Eric.Emery@sdlegislature.gov, Mary.Fitzgerald@sdlegislature.gov, Josephine.Garcia@sdlegislature.gov, Tim.Goodwin@sdlegislature.gov, Spencer.Gosch@sdlegislature.gov, Lana.Greenfield@sdlegislature.gov, Jim.Halverson@sdlegislature.gov, Jon.Hansen@sdlegislature.gov, Erin.Healy@sdlegislature.gov, Mellissa.Heermann@sdlegislature.gov, Les.Heinemann@sdlegislature.gov, John.Hughes@sdlegislature.gov, Jana.Hunt@sdlegislature.gov, Travis.Ismay@sdlegislature.gov, Greg.Jamison@sdlegislature.gov, Phil Jensen <Phil.Jensen@sdlegislature.gov>, Dylan.Jordan@sdlegislature.gov, “Terri.Jorgenson@sdlegislature.gov” <Terri.Jorgenson@sdlegislature.gov>, Chris.Kassin@sdlegislature.gov, Tony.Kayser@sdlegislature.gov, David.Kull@sdlegislature.gov, Trish.Ladner@sdlegislature.gov, Karla.Lems@sdlegislature.gov, Logan.Manhart@sdlegislature.gov, Curt Massie <Curt.Massie@sdlegislature.gov>, Liz.May@sdlegislature.gov, Scott.Moore@sdlegislature.gov, Will.Mortenson@sdlegislature.gov, Erik.Muckey@sdlegislature.gov, Tina.Mulally@sdlegislature.gov, Brian.Mulder@sdlegislature.gov, Kaley.Nolz@sdlegislature.gov, “al.novstrup@sdlegislature.gov” <Al.Novstrup@sdlegislature.gov>, Scott.Odenbach@sdlegislature.gov, Herman.Otten@sdlegislature.gov, Marty.Overweg@sdlegislature.gov, Drew.Peterson@sdlegislature.gov, Peri.Pourier@sdlegislature.gov, Tony.Randolph@sdlegislature.gov, Christopher.Reder@sdlegislature.gov, Taylor.Rehfeldt@sdlegislature.gov, Rebecca.Reimer@sdlegislature.gov, Tim.Reisch@sdlegislature.gov, Kathy.Rice@sdlegislature.gov, Matt.Roby@sdlegislature.gov, Kent.Roe@sdlegislature.gov, Brandei.Schaefbauer@sdlegislature.gov, Tesa.Schwans@sdlegislature.gov, William.Shorma@sdlegislature.gov, John.Sjaarda@sdlegislature.gov, Bethany.Soye@sdlegislature.gov, Mike.Stevens@sdlegislature.gov, Nicole.Uhre-Balk@sdlegislature.gov, Kevin.VanDiepen@sdlegislature.gov, Richard.Vasgaard@sdlegislature.gov, Tony.Venhuizen@sdlegislature.gov, Tim.Walburg@sdlegislature.gov, “Keri.Weems@sdlegislature.gov” <Keri.Weems@SDLegislature.gov>, Mike.Weisgram@sdlegislature.gov, Kadyn.Wittman@sdlegislature.gov

 

SENATE
Here are all the Senate e-mails 2025

amber.hulse@sdlegislature.gov, arch.beal@sdlegislature.gov, carl.perry@sdlegislature.gov, casey.crabtree@sdlegislature.gov, chris.karr@sdlegislature.gov, curt.voight@sdlegislature.gov, david.wheeler@sdlegislature.gov, ernie.otten@sdlegislature.gov, glen.vilhauer@sdlegislature.gov, greg.blanc@sdlegislature.gov, helene.duhamel@sdlegislature.gov, jamie.smith@sdlegislature.gov, jim.mehlhaff@sdlegislature.gov, john.carley@sdlegislature.gov, joy.hohn@sdlegislature.gov, kevin.jensen@sdlegislature.gov, kyle.schoenfish@sdlegislation.gov, larry.zikmund@sdlegislature.gov, lauren.nelson@sdlegislature.gov, liz.larson@sdlegislature.gov, mark.lapka@sdlegislature.gov, “Michael.Rohl@sdlegislature.gov” <michael.rohl@sdlegislature.gov>, mykala.voita@sdlegislature.gov, paul.miskimins@sdlegislature.gov, randy.deibert@sdlegislature.gov, reddawn.foster@sdlegislature.gov, sam.marty@sdlegislature.gov, stephanie.sauder@sdlegislature.gov, steve.kolbeck@sdlegislature.gov, sue.peterson@sdlegislature.gov, sydney.davis@sdlegislature.gov, Taffy Howard <taffy.howard@sdlegislature.gov>, tamara.grove@sdlegislature.gov, tim.reed@sdlegislature.gov, tom.pischke@sdlegislature.gov,

 

COMMITTEES

https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Committees/70

HERE ARE SOME SENATE COMMITTEES 2025

Senate Agriculture and Natural Resource

curt.voight@sdleglislature.gov, helene.duhamel@sdlegislature.gov, kevin.jensen@sdlegislature.gov, michael.rohl@sdlegislature.gov, sam.marty@sdlegislature.gov, sydney.davis@sdlegislature.gov, tom.pischke@sdlegislature.gov

——————-

Senate Commerce & Energy
“casey.crabtree@sdlegislature.gov” <casey.crabtree@sdlegislature.gov>,
sue.peterson@sdlegislature.gov, arch.beal@sdlegislature.gov, randy.deibert@sdlegislature.gov, joy.hohn@sdlegislature.gov,
chris.karr@sdlegislature.gov, steve.kolbeck@sdlegislature.gov, liz.larson@sdlegislature.gov, carl.perry@sdlegislature.gov,

————

Senate Appropriations
ernie.otten@sdlegislature.gov, mark.lapka@sdlegislature.gov, john.carley@sdlegislature.gov, reddawn.foster@sdlegislature.gov, taffy.howard@sdlegislature.gov, paul.miskimins@sdlegislature.gov, glen.vilhauer@sdlegislature.gov, mykala.voita@sdlegislature.gov, larry.zikmund@sdlegislature.gov,

———–

Senate Government Operations/Audit
Taffy Howard <taffy.howard@sdlegislature.gov>, ernie.otten@sdlegislature.gov, reddawn.foster@sdlegislature.gov, chris.karr@sdlegislature.gov, david.wheeler@sdlegislature.gov,

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Senate Education
kyle.schoenfish@sdlegislation.gov, Curt Voight <curt.voight@sdlegislature.gov>, sam.marty@sdlegislature.gov, lauren.nelson@sdlegislature.gov, sue.peterson@sdlegislature.gov, stephanie.sauder@sdlegislature.gov, jamie.smith@sdlegislature.gov,

—

Senate State Affairs

 senatestateaffairs@sdlegislature.gov, https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Committee/1254/Detail

arch.beal@sdlegislature.gov, randy.deibert@sdlegislature.gov, kevin.jensen@sdlegislature.gov, chris.karr@sdlegislature.gov, liz.larson@sdlegislature.gov,   jim.mehlhaff@sdlegislature.gov,  carl.perry@sdlegislature.gov, sue.peterson@sdlegislature.gov, tom.pischke@sdlegislature.gov,

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HERE ARE SOME HOUSE COMMITTEES 2025
House State Affairs

Scott.Odenbach@sdlegislature.gov, Marty.Overweg@sdlegislature.gov, Jessica.Bahmuller@sdlegislature.gov, Eric.Emery@sdlegislature.gov, Spencer.Gosch@sdlegislature.gov, Jon.Hansen@sdlegislature.gov, Erin.Healy@sdlegislature.gov, Les.Heinemann@sdlegislature.gov, Greg.Jamison@sdlegislature.gov, Karla.Lems@sdlegislature.gov, Tim.Reisch@sdlegislature.gov, Brandei.Schaefbauer@sdlegislature.gov, Bethany.Soye@sdlegislature.gov

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House Appropriations

mike.derby@sdlegislature.gov, tony.venhuizen@sdlegislature.gov,  terri.jorgenson@sdlegislature.gov, chris.kassin@sdlegislature.gov, liz.may@sdlegislature.gov, scott.moore@sdlegislature.gov, erik.muckey@sdlegislature.gov,  al.novstrup@sdlegislature.gov, john.sjaarda@sdlegislature.gov

———-

House Agriculture and Natural Resources — 

 https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Committee/1225/Detail  — Overweg is chair & Gosch is vice-chair,  houseagnaturalresources@sdlegislature.gov

Marty.Overweg@sdlegislature.gov, Spencer.Gosch@sdlegislature.gov, Julie.Auch@sdlegislature.gov, Tim.Goodwin@sdlegislature.gov, Jana.Hunt@sdlegislature.gov, Travis.Ismay@sdlegislature.gov, Trish.Ladner@sdlegislature.gov, Kaley.Nolz@sdlegislature.gov, Drew.Peterson@sdlegislature.gov, Kathy.Rice@sdlegislature.gov, Kevin.VanDiepen@sdlegislature.gov, Richard.Vasgaard@sdlegislature.gov, Kadyn.Wittman@sdlegislature.gov

JOINT COMMITTEES

Joint Appropriations

Mike.Derby@sdlegislature.gov, “John.Carley@sdlegislature.gov” <John.Carley@sdlegislature.gov>, “Terri.Jorgenson@sdlegislature.gov” <Terri.Jorgenson@sdlegislature.gov>, Chris.Kassin@sdlegislature.gov, Liz.May@sdlegislature.gov, Scott.Moore@sdlegislature.gov, Erik.Muckey@sdlegislature.gov, “al.novstrup@sdlegislature.gov” <Al.Novstrup@sdlegislature.gov>, John.Sjaarda@sdlegislature.gov, RedDawn.Foster@sdlegislature.gov, Taffy Howard <Taffy.Howard@sdlegislature.gov>, Mark.Lapka@sdlegislature.gov, Paul.Miskimins@sdlegislature.gov, “ernie.otten@sdlegislature.gov” <Ernie.Otten@sdlegislature.gov>, Glen.Vilhauer@sdlegislature.gov, Mykala.Voita@sdlegislature.gov, Larry.Zikmund@sdlegislature.gov