South Dakota Congressional Bills

in committee · South Dakota · House Jun 11, 2025

HR 3917: To prohibit the participation of males in athletic programs or activities at the military service academies that are designated for women or girls.

This bill prohibits male students from participating in athletic programs at the U.S. Military Academies (West Point, Annapolis, and Air Force Academy) designated exclusively for women or girls. It allows males to train with such teams only if no female athlete loses a roster spot, competition opportunity, scholarship, or other benefit. The bill defines "sex" as biological sex at birth and clarifies that "athletic programs" include all team-based activities requiring participation. It directly affects the women's sports teams at these three service academies and their eligibility rules.

Dusty Johnson (R) · 27 co-sponsors

in committee · South Dakota · House Jun 9, 2025

HR 3843: Baseload Reliability Protection Act

HR 3843, the Baseload Reliability Protection Act, prohibits the retirement or fuel-source conversion of certain large, reliable power plants (over 25 megawatts, not relying on intermittent renewables like solar/wind without storage) in areas designated as high or elevated risk for electricity shortages. It directly affects power plant operators in these high-risk regions, requiring them to maintain existing facilities unless they qualify for an exemption. Exemptions can be granted if operators demonstrate financial hardship, safety risks, or prove they’ll replace the plant with a comparable reliable unit, with potential federal grants or loans from the Department of Energy to cover operational costs. The bill explicitly blocks consideration of greenhouse gas emissions in exemption decisions and mandates standardized risk assessment criteria for identifying high-risk areas.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Julie Fedorchak (R) · 26 co-sponsors

in committee · South Dakota · House Jun 5, 2025

HR 3777: Public Land Search and Rescue Act

HR 3777, the Public Land Search and Rescue Act, creates a federal grant program to fund remote search and rescue activities on public lands managed by the Interior or Agriculture Departments. The program provides up to 75% federal funding for eligible states or local teams to purchase equipment, maintain gear, and reimburse costs for locating and rescuing people lost or injured in remote areas. Priority is given to areas with high visitor-to-resident ratios, and grants require applicants to be legally authorized to conduct such rescues. This bill directly affects state/local search and rescue organizations operating on federal lands by providing new funding mechanisms for their remote operations.

in committee · South Dakota · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SJRES 56: Life Month Resolution

This resolution designates June as "Life Month" each year, recognizing the inherent dignity of all human life. It urges Congress to acknowledge that every life is a sacred gift and to commend organizations and individuals supporting pregnant mothers and families. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic statement affirming life as a fundamental right.

Ted Cruz (R) · 32 co-sponsors

in committee · South Dakota · House May 30, 2025

HR 3634: Interactive Federal Review Act

HR 3634, the Interactive Federal Review Act, requires the U.S. Department of Transportation to encourage highway projects receiving federal grants (like INFRA, RAISE, or Mega program funds) to use digital platforms and 3D models for environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It mandates the DOT to publish guidance within 90 days, select at least 10 projects to test these tools, and prioritize grant applications that plan to use them for public engagement and environmental analysis. The bill also requires reports to Congress within 180 days detailing efficiency metrics and examples of digital workflows, plus public examples of digital environmental documents within a year. This aims to speed up reviews and improve public understanding of project impacts, directly affecting federally funded highway projects.

Topics ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

in committee · South Dakota · Senate May 22, 2025

S 1880: CDFI Bond Guarantee Program Improvement Act of 2025

This bill amends the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program to improve its operation. It raises the minimum guarantee amount to $25 million per bond issue, sets an annual cap of $1 billion for all guarantees, and extends the program's deadline by four years from enactment. The changes aim to provide more predictable access to long-term capital for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) serving underserved communities. The bill also requires the Treasury Secretary to submit two reports on the program's effectiveness to Congress within one and three years of enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · South Dakota · Senate May 22, 2025

S 1877: Improving Disclosure for Investors Act of 2025

This bill requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to establish rules allowing financial firms (like investment companies, brokers, and advisers) to deliver regulatory documents electronically to investors. Covered entities must provide initial paper copies to investors not using electronic delivery, offer a 180-day transition period, and send annual paper reminders for two years about the option to opt out of electronic delivery. Investors can always choose paper versions, and firms must ensure electronic documents are secure, readable, and reliably delivered. The SEC must finalize these rules within one year of the bill's enactment, with firms permitted to use electronic delivery immediately if the SEC misses the deadline. This changes how investors receive financial disclosures but does not alter the content or timing of required documents.

in committee · South Dakota · Senate May 22, 2025

S 1866: SCREENS for Cancer Act of 2025

The SCREENS for Cancer Act of 2025 reauthorizes and strengthens the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP), which provides free or low-cost screening and diagnostic services to low-income, uninsured, or underinsured women. The bill increases annual funding to $235 million for fiscal years 2026-2030, expands the program’s focus to include cancer prevention alongside detection and control, and adds specific requirements to reduce health disparities and improve access for underserved populations. Key provisions include updated guidelines for follow-up care, enhanced patient navigation services, and a requirement for a GAO report by 2027 assessing program eligibility, service trends, and barriers to screening. The program directly serves women across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, territories, and tribal organizations, building on its existing record of providing over 16.5 million screenings to 6.4 million people since 1991.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · South Dakota · Senate May 22, 2025

S 1921: Veterans Housing Stability Act of 2025

The Veterans Housing Stability Act of 2025 creates a new "Partial Claim Program" for veterans with VA-guaranteed home loans facing default or imminent default. Under this program, the VA may purchase up to 25% (or 30% for veterans already delinquent or in disaster areas) of the unpaid loan balance to prevent foreclosure. The veteran then repays this portion at loan maturity with no interest, while the VA secures a secondary lien on the property. The bill also adds civil penalties for loan holders who provide false information and requires the VA to establish mandatory loss mitigation procedures to help veterans avoid foreclosure. This directly affects veterans at risk of losing their homes and VA loan holders who must follow new administrative requirements.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

in committee · South Dakota · Senate May 21, 2025

SRES 239: A resolution reaffirming the deep and steadfast partnership between the United States and Canada and the ties that bind the 2 countries in support of economic and national security.

This resolution (SRES 239) is a symbolic Senate statement reaffirming the U.S.-Canada partnership, emphasizing their deep economic and security ties. It highlights key areas like $1 trillion in annual bilateral trade supporting millions of jobs, shared border security efforts (including fentanyl combat and infrastructure), and energy cooperation (Canada as top U.S. energy supplier). The resolution does not create new laws but formally recognizes this relationship as essential to both nations' security, prosperity, and shared democratic values. It underscores collaboration on supply chains, Arctic security, and defense through existing frameworks like NORAD.

in committee · South Dakota · Senate May 21, 2025

S 585: Servicemember to Veteran Health Care Connection Act of 2025

S 585, the Servicemember to Veteran Health Care Connection Act of 2025, creates an automated pre-registration system to streamline health care enrollment for service members transitioning to veterans. It requires the VA to automatically register service members 180 days before separation into a pre-transition system, followed by outreach (via email, mail, or phone) to explain enrollment steps and available services, including initial appointment scheduling. The bill mandates the VA to simplify enrollment processes, improve coordination with the Department of Defense, and report annually on registration and enrollment outcomes. This directly affects all service members anticipating separation from the Armed Forces who may seek VA health care, aiming to reduce transition barriers and improve access to care.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology ✓ Veterans

in committee · South Dakota · Senate May 21, 2025

S 599: DRIVE Act of 2025

The DRIVE Act of 2025 updates how the Department of Veterans Affairs reimburses veterans for using personal vehicles for VA-related travel. It requires the VA to set mileage reimbursement rates equal to or higher than the federal government’s standard rate for employee travel (currently 41.5 cents per mile), replacing the fixed rate in current law. The bill also mandates that veterans receive these reimbursements within 90 days of submitting a valid claim. This directly affects veterans who travel for VA appointments or services using their personal vehicles.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Peter Welch (D) · 18 co-sponsors

South Dakota Congressional Bills

Bill results