PIERRE — South Dakota lawmakers enter Day 33 of the legislative session with several high-profile issues up for debate, including data centers, cell phone restrictions in schools, marriage age, and gender definitions in state law.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a bill that would define the terms “man” and “woman” throughout South Dakota law, along with another proposal adding school coaches to the list of mandatory reporters for child abuse or neglect.
Budget panels are also reviewing education-related bills, including changes to special education reserve requirements and rules for reimbursing schools that provide free or reduced-price meals to students.
On the floor, the House will debate a bill aimed at protecting residents from potential utility cost increases tied to data centers, along with proposals to restrict student cell phone use during the school day, revise the state’s minimum marriage age, and allow counties to impose a gross receipts tax to reduce property taxes.
The Senate will also consider legislation regulating the sale of nicotine products.
