South Dakota Congressional Bills

in committee · South Dakota · Senate Sep 25, 2024

S 5224: Modern Firearm Safety Act

This bill prohibits federal, state, and local governments from requiring handguns to include specific features not commonly found on standard firearms. It bans mandates for load indicators, magazine insertion mechanisms, microstamping capabilities, or any devices that could perform these functions. The law directly affects handgun manufacturers and government agencies that might seek to impose such requirements. It prevents new regulations on firearm design without creating new safety standards or altering existing gun laws.

in committee · South Dakota · Senate Sep 25, 2024

S 5222: MedShield Act of 2024

The MedShield Act of 2024 establishes a new pandemic preparedness program under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to leverage artificial intelligence and technology for faster, more coordinated responses to biological threats. The program requires HHS to develop a national system for real-time pathogen surveillance, accelerate vaccine and therapeutic development using AI, and optimize distribution strategies, drawing on recommendations from the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. It mandates a detailed integration plan within 180 days of enactment and authorizes $300 million in fiscal year 2025, increasing to $500 million by 2029, to fund the initiative. The bill directly affects HHS as the lead agency and requires coordination with other federal departments and international partners to create a unified biodefense system.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

in committee · South Dakota · Senate Sep 25, 2024

S 5283: Robert M. Gates Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill authorizes Congress to award Robert M. Gates, former Director of Central Intelligence and Secretary of Defense, a Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his 27 years of public service to the United States. The medal, designed by the Treasury Secretary, honors his roles in ending the Cold War, leading military transitions in Iraq/Afghanistan, and supporting veterans' welfare. Duplicate bronze medals may be sold to the public to cover production costs. The bill is purely ceremonial, with no policy changes or direct effects beyond honoring Gates' career.

Jerry Moran (R) · 23 co-sponsors

in committee · South Dakota · House Sep 25, 2024

HR 9834: Western South Dakota Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act

HR 9834, the Western South Dakota Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act, authorizes a federal study to determine if a water project supplying municipal, rural, and industrial water from the Missouri River to the Western Dakota Regional Water System is feasible. The study must follow specific federal Reclamation standards, with the federal government covering up to 50% of costs, capped at $10 million. The study must be completed within 10 years of the bill's enactment. This bill directly affects communities served by the Western Dakota Regional Water System in Western South Dakota by evaluating a potential water supply solution.

in committee · South Dakota · Senate Sep 23, 2024

S 5139: Empowering Main Street in America Act of 2024

The Empowering Main Street in America Act of 2024 would make it easier for small businesses and startups to access capital by expanding securities exemptions and revising investor rules. It increases the revenue threshold for "emerging growth companies" from $1 billion to $2 billion (adjusted for inflation), maintains a $500,000 micro-offering cap with inflation adjustments, and creates new pathways for retail investors to qualify as accredited investors through education-based certification. The bill also requires the Securities and Exchange Commission to publish detailed economic data on capital markets and consider costs and benefits when creating new regulations. These changes would directly affect small businesses seeking funding, investors, and the SEC's regulatory approach to capital markets.

in committee · South Dakota · House Sep 19, 2024

HJRES 144: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Department of Justice, relating to "Definition of 'Engaged in the Business' as a Dealer in Firearms".

HJRES 144 is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting a specific rule issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) on April 19, 2024. The resolution seeks to block the ATF's rule that redefined the term "engaged in the business" for firearm dealers, which would have affected how federal licensing requirements apply to certain sellers. If enacted, this resolution would nullify the rule, preventing it from taking effect under procedures in Title 5 of the U.S. Code. The bill directly impacts firearm dealers operating under the current regulatory framework and the ATF's enforcement authority.

Andrew S. Clyde (R) · 130 co-sponsors

in committee · South Dakota · House Sep 18, 2024

HJRES 163: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "New Source Performance Standards for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From New, Modified, and Reconstructed Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units; Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Existing Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units; and Repeal of the Affordable Clean Energy Rule".

This bill (HJRES 163) is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule finalized on May 9, 2024. The EPA rule established new emissions standards for greenhouse gases from fossil fuel power plants (both new and existing) and repealed a previous rule called the Affordable Clean Energy Rule. The resolution would block this EPA rule from taking effect by invoking the Congressional Review Act (Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code). If passed, it would prevent the EPA rule from being enforced, directly affecting fossil fuel power plant operators and the EPA’s regulatory authority over emissions.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Troy Balderson (R) · 164 co-sponsors

in committee · South Dakota · House Sep 18, 2024

HJRES 139: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting".

H.J. Res. 139 is a congressional resolution seeking to disapprove a rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on May 10, 2024. The rule would have established minimum staffing requirements for long-term care facilities and required transparency in Medicaid payment reporting. If passed, this resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preventing these new staffing and reporting requirements from being implemented. The bill directly affects long-term care facilities and Medicaid programs by halting the enforcement of these specific standards.

Topics ✗ Healthcare ✗ Labor & Employment

in committee · South Dakota · House Sep 16, 2024

HR 705: Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act

HR 705, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act, prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from automatically sending veterans' personal information to the national background check system solely because a fiduciary (like a guardian) manages their benefits. It specifically blocks the VA from sharing this data with the Justice Department without a court order finding the veteran a danger to themselves or others. This directly affects veterans who have a fiduciary appointed due to incapacity but are not deemed dangerous, preventing automatic barriers to firearm purchases based only on their fiduciary status. The bill amends 38 U.S.C. § 5501B to require judicial authorization before such data can be transmitted.

Topics ✓ Technology ✓ Veterans

Mike Bost (R) · 73 co-sponsors

in committee · South Dakota · House Sep 13, 2024

HR 9565: Securing Infrastructure from Adversaries Act

This bill prohibits U.S. Department of Transportation agencies from procuring or using LiDAR technology produced by companies from China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia in federal contracts or projects. It applies to all Department of Transportation contracts and funded projects starting June 30, 2026, affecting contractors and grantees receiving transportation funding. Contractors must certify they will not use prohibited LiDAR, with limited waivers permitted only for national security needs. The law directly restricts the use of specific foreign technology in U.S. infrastructure development.

Topics ✗ Technology

in committee · South Dakota · House Sep 11, 2024

HJRES 168: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Council on Environmental Quality relating to "National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations Revisions Phase 2".

HJRES 168 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a specific environmental regulation by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). It targets the CEQ's "National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations Revisions Phase 2" rule, published in the Federal Register on May 1, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 35442). If passed, this resolution would use a statutory process under Title 5, U.S. Code, to nullify the rule, preventing it from taking effect. The bill directly affects the CEQ's regulatory authority over federal environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Topics ✗ Environment

in committee · South Dakota · Senate Sep 11, 2024

S 5023: Stand Strong Falls Prevention Act

The Stand Strong Falls Prevention Act (S 5023) establishes a 12-member Advisory Committee to develop and coordinate a national strategy for preventing falls among older adults. The Committee, including federal agency representatives and external experts (like healthcare providers, caregivers, and housing specialists), will assess current federal falls prevention efforts, recommend pilot programs (such as Medicare coverage for home modifications), and advise on improving screening and public education campaigns. It requires annual data sharing across agencies and mandates regular reports to Congress every four years evaluating program outcomes and progress. The Committee will operate for 10 years, focusing on reducing fall-related injuries and healthcare costs for seniors through coordinated federal action.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

South Dakota Congressional Bills

Bill results