South Dakota Congressional Bills

in committee · South Dakota · House Jul 22, 2024

HR 9078: Deliver for Democracy Act

This bill requires the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to meet specific on-time delivery performance standards for periodicals (newspapers and magazines) before the Postal Regulatory Commission can approve new rate increases for those services. It mandates annual public reports tracking USPS's on-time delivery performance for both in-county and out-of-county newspaper mail, with requirements for data collection if individual mail tracking isn't feasible. The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study alternative pricing models for periodicals that don't cover their costs, with a report due within two years. These provisions directly affect USPS operations, newspaper publishers, and the postal rate-setting process, aiming to link service quality to financial decisions.

in committee · South Dakota · House Jul 18, 2024

HJRES 188: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Interior relating to "Conservation and Landscape Health".

HJRES 188 is a joint resolution seeking to disapprove a Department of the Interior rule on conservation and landscape health. The rule, published in the Federal Register on May 9, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 40308), would have established new federal guidelines for managing public lands. This resolution invokes the congressional disapproval process under Title 5, U.S. Code, to prevent the rule from taking effect. If enacted, it would halt the rule's implementation, directly affecting how federal land conservation policies are applied.

Topics ✗ Environment

in committee · South Dakota · House Jul 18, 2024

HR 9060: Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension Act of 2024

HR 9060 extends tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel producers and users through 2025, replacing the previous 2024 expiration date. It amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the biodiesel credit (Section 40A) and biodiesel mixture credit (Section 6426) for fuels sold or used after December 31, 2024. The bill also adds a provision preventing double benefits by requiring the credit amount to be zero for fuels already claiming another credit under Section 45Z(a). This directly affects biodiesel producers, refiners, and businesses using these fuels for tax purposes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Mike Carey (R) · 29 co-sponsors

passed · South Dakota · Senate Jul 15, 2024

S 912: Mining Schools Act of 2023

The Mining Schools Act of 2023 creates a Department of Energy grant program to strengthen domestic mining education at eligible colleges and universities. It authorizes up to 10 annual grants for institutions with accredited mining programs or specific geology/engineering departments in states with significant mining economies, focusing on recruiting students and advancing education in critical minerals, sustainable extraction, and environmental reclamation. Grant funds must support concrete educational initiatives like improving mineral processing technology, reducing environmental impacts, and developing domestic supply chains for critical minerals. An advisory board of industry and academic experts will help select grantees and ensure funds are used as intended, with $10 million annually allocated for fiscal years 2024-2031. The bill repeals a 1984 law related to mining research but centers on building U.S. workforce capacity for domestic mineral production.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed · South Dakota · Senate Jul 12, 2024

SRES 765: A resolution relating to the death of the Honorable James Mountain Inhofe, former Senator for the State of Oklahoma.

SRES 765 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Senator James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma following his death on July 9, 2024. The resolution commemorates his 28-year Senate service (1994-2023) and 52 years in public office, highlighting his work on defense policy, aviation legislation, infrastructure projects, and support for military bases in Oklahoma. This procedural resolution expresses the Senate's condolences and formally recognizes his legacy, rather than enacting any policy changes.

James Lankford (R) · 99 co-sponsors

in committee · South Dakota · Senate Jul 11, 2024

SRES 764: A resolution expressing support for the designation of July 2024 as "National Sarcoma Awareness Month".

This non-binding Senate resolution expresses support for designating July 2024 as "National Sarcoma Awareness Month." It aims to raise public awareness about sarcoma - a rare cancer affecting bones and connective tissues - which sees approximately 17,000 new diagnoses annually in the U.S. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funding, or change policies; it serves solely as a symbolic gesture to encourage diagnosis and treatment for those affected.

in committee · South Dakota · Senate Jul 11, 2024

S 4680: Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill authorizes Congress to award a single Congressional Gold Medal to Jens Stoltenberg, former Secretary General of NATO, recognizing his leadership during his nine-year tenure. It directs the Treasury to strike the medal and allows for the sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs. The medal honors Stoltenberg's role in strengthening NATO's defense spending, enlargement, and unity - particularly during Russia's invasion of Ukraine - though the bill itself creates no new policy or obligations. The award is purely ceremonial and affects only Stoltenberg as the recipient.

Jeanne Shaheen (D) · 72 co-sponsors

in committee · South Dakota · Senate Jul 11, 2024

S 4721: Gold Star Children Education Act of 2024

This bill expands access to Department of Defense (DoD) schools for children of military members who died while serving. It removes two barriers: children no longer need to have been enrolled in a DoD school before their parent's death, nor do they need to live near a school they seek to attend. Enrollment for these "Gold Star children" will be tuition-free and based on available space at DoD schools. The bill directly affects dependents of service members who died on active duty or active Guard/Reserve duty.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

passed · South Dakota · Senate Jul 10, 2024

SRES 762: A resolution designating July 27, 2024, as "National Day of the American Cowboy".

SRES 762 designates July 27, 2024, as "National Day of the American Cowboy" to honor the cultural significance of cowboys and cowgirls in American history, including their contributions to the economy (through ranching), traditions, and values like integrity and environmental stewardship. The resolution encourages public observance through ceremonies and activities but does not create new laws or affect specific groups financially or legally. It is a symbolic gesture recognizing the cowboy as an American icon, as outlined in the Senate's preamble.

in committee · South Dakota · House Jul 10, 2024

HRES 1349: Recognizing the continued success of the Food for Peace Act.

HRES 1349 is a symbolic House resolution recognizing the success of the Food for Peace Act, which provides U.S. humanitarian food aid to global populations facing hunger. It does not create new policy or funding but formally acknowledges the program’s impact - such as reaching 53 million people with emergency aid in 2022 - and highlights global hunger statistics (e.g., 783 million people hungry in 2022). The resolution urges continued U.S. funding prioritization for the program but has no binding effect or direct policy changes. It directly affects no new groups, as it solely expresses congressional support for an existing aid program.

Jim Costa (D) · 40 co-sponsors

in committee · South Dakota · Senate Jul 10, 2024

S 4652: Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act

This bill amends federal firearms laws to simplify interstate transactions. It allows licensed dealers to sell firearms to other licensed individuals anywhere in the U.S. and permits sales to non-licensed buyers at temporary locations (like gun shows) across state lines. It also updates residency definitions to clarify that active-duty military members and their spouses can be considered residents of multiple states for firearms purposes, including their duty station location. These changes directly affect licensed firearm dealers, military personnel, and civilians purchasing firearms across state borders. The bill removes current restrictions on where transactions can occur and clarifies applicable state laws.

Kevin Cramer (R) · 17 co-sponsors

signed · South Dakota · Senate Jul 9, 2024

S 870: An act to authorize appropriations for the United States Fire Administration and firefighter assistance grant programs, to advance the benefits of nuclear energy, and for other purposes.

This bill reauthorizes federal funding for fire departments and firefighter assistance programs through 2028, providing $95 million annually for the U.S. Fire Administration (with $3.42 million designated for specific activities) and $750 million for firefighter assistance grants. It also establishes new provisions to accelerate nuclear energy development, including streamlined licensing for advanced nuclear reactors, support for fusion energy regulation, and funding for nuclear workforce training through the Nuclear Energy Traineeship program. The bill requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to improve licensing efficiency through risk-informed processes, establish new procedures for reviewing nuclear projects, and conduct a study on global nuclear energy industry supply chains. These provisions primarily affect fire departments receiving federal grants, nuclear energy companies seeking licensing, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as the overseeing agency. The bill aims to strengthen fire safety infrastructure and advance the deployment of clean nuclear energy technologies.

Topics ✓ Energy

South Dakota Congressional Bills

Bill results