Rep. Heather Baxter

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals to be registered voters in South Dakota before they can sponsor petitions for ballot measures. It directly affects petition sponsors by adding a voter registration requirement to their eligibility. The key provision mandates that petition sponsors must meet the same voter registration standards as other voters in the state. This change ensures that only registered voters can initiate ballot measure campaigns.

Maddy summarySB 68 would require individuals to be U.S. citizens before they are eligible to vote in South Dakota elections. The bill establishes a penalty for voting without meeting this citizenship requirement. It directly affects all voters in the state by adding a citizenship verification condition to the existing voting qualifications. This legislation does not change other voting rules but specifically adds citizenship as a mandatory eligibility criterion.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents healthcare providers in South Dakota from blocking parents or guardians from accessing their minor children's medical records and health information. It requires providers to allow authorized adults to view and obtain copies of these records without needing additional consent from the minor. The law applies to doctors, hospitals, and other medical facilities treating minors, ensuring families can review health data related to their children. This change aims to improve family involvement in healthcare decisions for minors by removing barriers to information access.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state of South Dakota to produce a report on refugee resettlement services. The report would detail how the state supports refugees who arrive and settle in the community. It directly affects state agencies responsible for managing refugee assistance programs. The provision aims to increase transparency by documenting the services provided to refugees.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows nonresident military personnel to purchase three-day temporary waterfowl hunting licenses in South Dakota. The provision directly affects military members who are not residents of the state but wish to hunt waterfowl during short visits. By removing residency requirements for these specific licenses, the bill expands hunting opportunities for visiting service members without changing existing regulations for other hunters. The change applies only to waterfowl and is limited to three-day temporary licenses, leaving other hunting types and durations unaffected.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows law enforcement to provide individualized investigative treatments to patients suffering from life-threatening or debilitating diseases or conditions. The key provision permits officers to use force or specific investigative methods tailored to the patient's medical needs rather than applying standard procedures. It directly affects police officers and individuals with serious health conditions who may require specialized handling during investigations. The legislation aims to ensure that medical circumstances are considered when determining appropriate investigative responses.

Maddy summarySB 100 would modify South Dakota law to allow individuals to carry concealed firearms and other self-defense items on the campuses of public higher education institutions. The bill directly affects students, faculty, and staff at public colleges and universities within the state by changing current restrictions on carrying weapons in these locations. Key provisions would require public institutions to update their policies to permit concealed carry, provided the individual holds a valid permit and meets existing state requirements. The legislation aims to align campus security policies with broader state laws regarding firearm possession and self-defense.

Maddy summaryHB 1222 expands the conditions under which individuals in South Dakota may carry, possess, and store concealed firearms. The bill modifies existing laws to allow more people to legally carry concealed pistols in locations where they were previously restricted, such as certain public buildings and private properties. Key provisions likely include removing specific prohibitions or adding exceptions to the list of places where concealed carry is not permitted. This change directly affects law-abiding citizens who wish to carry concealed weapons and property owners who may have previously been able to prohibit such carry on their premises. The legislation aims to clarify and broaden the scope of concealed carry rights without altering the fundamental requirement for a valid permit.

Maddy summaryHB 1218 addresses the imposition of firearm restrictions on certain employees, officers, volunteers, and other individuals in South Dakota. The bill outlines specific categories of people who may be prohibited from possessing firearms under state law. It establishes clear criteria for determining eligibility and outlines the procedures for enforcement. The legislation aims to clarify existing regulations without introducing new restrictions beyond current statutory frameworks.

Maddy summaryHB 1195 modifies the legal process for terminating parental rights in cases where a child has been officially found to be abused or neglected. The bill updates specific provisions within South Dakota's child welfare laws to clarify how and when parental rights may be ended in these situations. This change directly affects child protection agencies, parents, and legal professionals involved in dependency and neglect cases. The revision aims to align the state's procedures with updated standards for protecting children while addressing parental rights.