Photo of Karla Lems
R South Dakota House · District 16

Rep. Karla Lems

Compare
Total votes
1,571
all sessions
Attendance
100%
1 missed
Higher than 80% of chamber peers
With party
79%
of cast votes
Near the chamber average
Bipartisan score
12%
some cross-party votes
Near the chamber average
Sponsored
131
bills & resolutions
Near the chamber average
Committees
7
assignments
131 bills and resolutions

Sponsored bills

Total
131
Primary
131
Co-sponsor
0
This page
131
matching current filters
Primary HB 1077
Vetoed · South Dakota House · Lead sponsor
consider a cultivated-protein food product to be adulterated food.

Maddy summaryHB 1077 classifies cultivated-protein food products (lab-grown meat alternatives made from animal cells grown in vitro) as "adulterated food" under South Dakota's existing food safety laws. This bill directly affects producers and sellers of these products by automatically subjecting them to current adulteration penalties without requiring new safety standards. The key provision adds a specific definition in Section 39-4-2(8), stating such products are deemed adulterated regardless of their safety or labeling. The law does not create new regulations but applies existing food safety definitions to this emerging food category. This change would require cultivated-protein producers to comply with all current adulteration enforcement mechanisms.

Vetoed Mar 30, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary HB 1184
Signed into law · South Dakota House · Lead sponsor
define man and woman throughout the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1184 defines "female" in South Dakota law as "an individual who naturally has, had, will have, or would have, but for a congenital anomaly or intentional or unintentional disruption, the reproductive system that produces, transports, and utilizes eggs for fertilization." This definition applies to all state laws, regulations, and programs. The bill prohibits state funding for any program, service, or policy that contradicts this definition of "female." It directly affects state agencies, healthcare providers, schools, and any entity receiving state funds that use gender-related terms.

Signed into law Mar 30, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SB 135
Signed into law · South Dakota Senate · Lead sponsor
protect residents from increased utility costs and utility shortages caused by data centers and clarify authority to regulate data centers.

Maddy summarySB 135 requires data center operators to pay all electricity costs associated with their facilities, preventing utilities from raising residential rates to cover these expenses (Section 3). It also prohibits tax exemptions for data centers (Section 5) and ensures local governments retain authority to regulate data center development (Section 4). The bill mandates data centers to report projected water usage to local providers and the Board of Water Management before operation, with annual reports on actual consumption (Sections 6-7), ensuring water allocation prioritizes residential and essential services. This directly affects data center operators, utilities, and South Dakota residents by limiting cost-shifting and protecting local resource management.

Signed into law Mar 30, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SB 88
Signed into law · South Dakota Senate · Lead sponsor
clarify the procedure for a potential condemnor to examine real property absent the property owner's permission.

Maddy summarySB 88 clarifies the process for entities seeking to examine private property for public projects (like utility lines) without the owner's permission. It requires such entities to provide 30 days' written notice detailing the property area, timing, and purpose, and pay for any damage caused - $500 upfront for common carrier projects. Property owners can challenge the examination in court within 30 days of receiving notice. The bill applies only to projects needing a siting permit (e.g., utilities), not state entities, and defines "examination" as a minimally invasive inspection causing minor soil disturbance.

Signed into law Mar 12, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary HB 1102
Signed into law · South Dakota House · Lead sponsor
reschedule the date for filing certain annual reports.

Maddy summaryHB 1102 reschedules the annual report filing deadline for limited liability companies (LLCs) and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) in South Dakota. The bill changes the current requirement for reports to be filed by January 31st each year to a new date (the specific new date is not provided in the bill text). This procedural change directly affects all LLCs and LLPs operating in South Dakota that must file annual reports with the Secretary of State. The bill does not alter the content or substance of the reports, only the timing of the filing obligation.

Signed into law Mar 12, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SB 114
Signed into law · South Dakota Senate · Lead sponsor
provide for the publication of ballot images and the cast vote record of automatic tabulating equipment.

Maddy summarySB 114 requires South Dakota election officials to make ballot images (digital copies of paper ballots) and cast vote records (electronic records showing how votes were counted) publicly available as public records. However, it prohibits releasing these records if they include voter-identifying details like names, timing of votes, or incomplete precinct data. Specifically, records from precincts with fewer than 100 ballots must be redacted to remove ballot style identifiers and combined with records from other precincts before public release. This law applies directly to local election officials responsible for managing and releasing election data.

Signed into law Mar 5, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SC 819
Introduced · South Dakota Senate · Lead sponsor
honoring the 2025-2026 Canton C-Hawk girls wrestling team.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a legislative commemoration honoring the 2025-2026 Canton C-Hawk girls wrestling team for their athletic achievements. It officially recognizes the team's success, including winning the Region 2 tournament for the second consecutive year and having thirteen wrestlers qualify for the state tournament. The resolution specifically acknowledges individual accomplishments, noting that two wrestlers won state championships and all qualifiers won their placement round matches. The bill also credits the coaching staff for their leadership and support of the team.

Introduced Mar 4, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SC 824
Introduced · South Dakota Senate · Lead sponsor
honoring the 2025-2026 Canton C-Hawks boys wrestling team.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a legislative commemoration honoring the 2025-2026 Canton C-Hawks boys wrestling team for their athletic achievements. It formally recognizes the team's ninth consecutive state championship win in Region 2B and lists the individual wrestlers and coaches who contributed to their success. The resolution serves as an official acknowledgment by the South Dakota Legislature of the team's accomplishments and community support.

Introduced Mar 4, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary HC 8023
Introduced · South Dakota House · Lead sponsor
honoring the legacy and strength of grandmothers in this state.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a legislative commemoration that formally honors the legacy and strength of grandmothers in South Dakota. It recognizes their vital roles as caregivers, cultural leaders, and community pillars across diverse backgrounds including tribal traditions. The resolution acknowledges the sacrifices grandmothers make in raising families and preserving cultural heritage without granting any new laws or funding. This symbolic measure serves to publicly acknowledge their contributions rather than enact policy changes.

Introduced Mar 4, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SC 823
Introduced · South Dakota Senate · Lead sponsor
honoring the achievements of Canton C-Hawks wrestling team coach Jeremy Ask.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a legislative commemoration honoring Jeremy Ask, the wrestling coach at Canton C-Hawks in South Dakota. It recognizes his achievements as a two-time state champion wrestler and highlights his coaching milestones, including becoming the first coach in state history to lead both girls and boys teams to state championships in the same year. The resolution formally acknowledges his contributions to high school wrestling in Canton and South Dakota through the 101st Legislature. No new laws or policies are enacted; the bill serves solely as an official recognition of his accomplishments.

Introduced Mar 4, 2026 0 co-sponsors
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