Rep. William Shorma

Maddy summarySB 131 clarifies the timing for nonprofit-hosted pheasant hunts benefiting disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients. It revises the law to specify these hunts may occur "before or during the regular pheasant season" (removing confusing prior language about the "private shooting preserve season"). The bill directly affects nonprofit organizations hosting these events and the disabled veterans/Purple Heart recipients participating. Key provisions maintain that no fees may be charged to participants and require the Game, Fish and Parks Commission to create rules for administering these hunts. The bill does not change eligibility criteria for participants or alter the no-fee requirement.

Maddy summarySB 132 amends South Dakota law (§ 1-46A-5) to clarify the composition and consultation process of the South Dakota Veterans Council. The bill specifies that the Council must include one representative each from eight designated veterans organizations, such as the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans of Foreign Wars, plus a representative from Vietnam Veterans of America chapters 1054 and 959. It requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to consult with the Council quarterly on veteran-related matters and mandates the Council provide recommendations on budgets, legislation, policies, and programs affecting veterans and their dependents. This bill directly affects the Council's membership structure and its formal role in advising state veterans' affairs.

Maddy summarySB 36 requires electric utilities and wholesale electricity generators in South Dakota to develop and submit wildfire mitigation plans to either the Public Utilities Commission or their local governing body (like a city council). These plans must include specific strategies for risk assessment, infrastructure inspections, vegetation management, and community outreach to reduce wildfire risks. Utilities must also submit annual compliance reports by April 1st each year, with filing fees of $500 for initial plans and $250 for reports. The bill establishes a standardized process for these plans and reports but does not specify liability protections beyond the plan requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1101 prohibits insurers from denying or limiting life, disability, or long-term care insurance coverage solely because someone is a living organ donor. It specifically bans insurers from: (1) refusing coverage based on donor status, (2) requiring donors to stop donating to maintain coverage, or (3) charging higher premiums or imposing other restrictions due to donor status alone. The bill ensures that living organ donors cannot face insurance discrimination without evidence of actual increased health risk. This directly protects individuals who donate organs while alive from unfair treatment by insurance companies.

Maddy summaryThis bill introduces a legislative commemoration honoring Barbara Dull Knife, a Lakota elder and community leader who served as a child welfare advocate and founded an emergency safe house for children on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The resolution formally recognizes her seventeen years of service with the United States Attorney's Office, her tribal council leadership, and her work preserving Lakota cultural traditions and teachings. By adopting this commemoration, the South Dakota Legislature acknowledges her contributions to child welfare, cultural preservation, and community service without altering any existing laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a legislative commemoration that formally recognizes the nonprofit organization Oaye Luta Okolakiciye, known as "Moving Forward in a Sacred Way." The resolution acknowledges the organization's work in providing trauma-informed care to Lakota communities in South Dakota by integrating Lakota spirituality, language, and kinship systems into behavioral health services. It highlights the group's volunteer-driven approach to supporting families and promoting cultural continuity on reservations and in surrounding areas. The bill does not change laws or allocate funding but serves to honor the organization's contributions to Lakota wellness and community stability.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a legislative commemoration that recognizes Marvin Richard III, a high school athlete from Pine Ridge, South Dakota, for his outstanding athletic achievements. It highlights his accomplishments in multiple sports, including football and basketball, where he earned state honors, set a single-game scoring record, and was nominated for the McDonald's All-American Game. The resolution formally acknowledges his contributions to Pine Ridge High School and the broader community of Native American athletes in South Dakota. This type of bill serves as an official record of recognition rather than creating new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a legislative commemoration honoring Yvonne Jane "Tiny D" DeCory, a community leader from Pine Ridge, South Dakota. It recognizes her lifelong dedication to supporting Lakota youth through cultural preservation, mentorship, and advocacy against suicide and trauma. The resolution formally acknowledges her contributions to the Oyáte community and her legacy of generosity, respect, and compassion. No new laws or policies are enacted; the bill serves solely as an official statement of appreciation from the state legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill honors Josie Hill, a University of South Dakota women's basketball player, by officially recognizing her athletic achievements and community contributions. The legislation acknowledges her success at high school, Chicago State University, and her current role at the University of South Dakota, where she has become a role model for Indigenous youth. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but instead formally records the state's appreciation for her accomplishments. The measure is sponsored by Representative Pourier and serves as a tribute rather than a functional policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a legislative commemoration that honors Cecelia Fire Thunder for her achievements, leadership, and lifelong public service. It recognizes her historic role as the first woman elected president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe in 2004 and her career as a nurse, health educator, and community advocate. The resolution formally acknowledges her contributions to Indigenous rights, women's empowerment, and her work building bridges between tribal nations and the state of South Dakota.