Legislative activity in Pierre gets an early start Monday, with elections, ballot questions, and the state budget in focus.
The House State Affairs Committee is scheduled to hear several election-related bills, including a proposal to ban paid petition circulators, a requirement to disclose whether a ballot question was initiated by citizens or the Legislature, and changes to nominating petition rules.
The Senate State Affairs Committee will take up multiple election administration bills. Those proposals include changes affecting electronic voting equipment, the publication of ballot images and cast vote records, the duties of presidential electors, and a bill involving the distribution of state investment funds.
The budget process formally begins when the House Appropriations Committee introduces the governor’s general appropriations bill for fiscal year 2027.
Both the House and Senate convene later in the day, with floor debate expected to include energy permitting, school tax levies, and several proposed constitutional amendments.
