Rep. Heather Baxter

Maddy summaryHB 1104 proposes changes to the requirements for paper ballots in South Dakota elections. The bill directly affects election officials and voters by modifying how ballots must be printed, handled, or recorded. Specific provisions likely include adjustments to ballot design, distribution methods, or verification processes to ensure accuracy and accessibility. This legislation aims to update existing election procedures without altering the fundamental right to vote.

Maddy summaryHB 1103 modifies the voter registration deadline in South Dakota, directly affecting eligible voters who wish to register to vote. The bill adjusts the specific date by which citizens must complete the registration process before an upcoming election. This change ensures that the registration timeline aligns with updated state requirements or election schedules. The provision does not alter who can vote but rather when the registration must be finalized.

Maddy summarySB 105 proposes to designate Election Day as a legal holiday in South Dakota, meaning state and local government offices would close and employees would be exempt from work requirements on that day. The bill directly affects government workers, businesses, and the general public by establishing Election Day as a recognized day off similar to other state holidays. Under this measure, businesses could choose to close or remain open, but government facilities would be required to shut down for the day. This change aims to facilitate higher voter turnout by reducing barriers to voting on Election Day. The legislation focuses solely on the procedural status of Election Day without addressing specific voting procedures or election administration details.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of voter centers in any county within South Dakota. It directly affects local election officials and voters who might have relied on these alternative voting locations. The key provision is a blanket ban on establishing or operating voter centers, requiring all voting to occur at traditional polling places instead. This change removes a flexible option for counties to accommodate voters who face challenges traveling to specific polling locations. The legislation does not specify alternative arrangements, leaving counties to manage voting access under the new restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill expresses the South Dakota state government's opposition to carbon dioxide pipelines and urges President Trump not to use federal eminent domain powers to interfere with the Summit Carbon Solutions project. It directly affects state officials and federal authorities by formally recording the legislature's stance on the pipeline issue. The key provision is a declarative statement affirming the state's rejection of such infrastructure while calling for federal restraint in this specific case. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal position statement on an ongoing environmental and regulatory matter.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes hazing as a specific crime in South Dakota and outlines penalties for those who commit it. It directly affects individuals who participate in or organize hazing activities, as well as institutions that may allow such behavior. The legislation defines hazing as acts that endanger physical or mental health and sets forth criminal consequences for violations. By creating a clear legal framework, the bill aims to provide law enforcement and courts with specific grounds for prosecution.

Maddy summaryHB 1017 requires schools in South Dakota to accept cash payments for admission to school-affiliated events. This provision directly affects school districts, event organizers, and families attending these events by mandating that cash be treated as a valid form of payment. The bill ensures that individuals cannot be denied entry to school events solely because they pay with cash rather than other payment methods. This change applies to all school-sponsored activities where admission fees are charged.

Maddy summaryHB 1070 prohibits insurance companies in South Dakota from requiring patients to pay any portion of the cost for specific breast imaging tests, including diagnostic and supplemental examinations. This law directly affects individuals with health insurance in the state by ensuring these breast imaging services are covered at no out-of-pocket expense to the patient. The bill removes cost-sharing requirements such as copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance that would otherwise apply to these particular medical procedures. By eliminating these financial barriers, the legislation aims to improve access to breast imaging services for insured residents without changing the underlying insurance coverage structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires an official declaration of war or other specific Congressional action before the South Dakota National Guard can be deployed by the federal government. It directly affects the state's National Guard units by establishing a legal barrier to federal mobilization without explicit legislative approval. The key provision mandates that federal authorities must obtain formal authorization from Congress before deploying state troops for federal purposes. This measure ensures that the state retains control over its National Guard unless Congress explicitly authorizes federal deployment. The bill focuses on clarifying the legal requirements for National Guard deployment rather than addressing broader military policy issues.

Maddy summaryHB 1078 establishes rules for how individuals can disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status when donating blood. The bill requires blood collection facilities to inform donors about their vaccination status and allows donors to choose whether to share this information with the facility. It also mandates that blood banks maintain records of vaccination status for donors who choose to disclose it. This legislation directly affects blood donation centers and individuals who wish to donate blood in South Dakota.