Noem Commemorates 100 Days as Governor
Governor Kristi Noem today commemorated her first 100 days as South Dakota’s 33rd governor.


Governor's Column: Explaining Emergency Declarations
There’s no doubt the storms this spring have been difficult for many of our communities. In March, a bomb cyclone left part of our state underwater and part of our state in dangerous blizzard conditions. April’s Winter Storm Wesley sent another two feet of snow to many areas. The storms damaged our roads, bridges, and culverts while also impacting livestock, homes, and businesses.


Governor's Column: Advancing Habitat
I’ve always loved being outside. Whether it was fishing with my dad, bow hunting with my daughters, or shooting birds with Booker, being under the South Dakota sky clears my head. I know many of you feel the same way. It’s part of our South Dakota way of life.


Noem Declares Statewide Day of Prayer
Governor Kristi Noem has declared Sunday, April 7, 2019, a Statewide Day of Prayer for South Dakotans affected by the flooding and disastrous conditions.

Noem Appoints Supreme Court Justice
Governor Kristi Noem today appointed Patricia Jean DeVaney to serve on the South Dakota Supreme Court. The appointment fills the open vacancy in the 3rd Supreme Court District created by the Late Justice Steven Zinter.


Noem Funds Second Century Habitat Initiative
Governor Kristi Noem yesterday signed SB176, a bill to increase habitat programs and strengthen the future of pheasant hunting in South Dakota.


Governor's Weekly Column: Enhancing Our Energy Potential
I’ve long supported an all-of-the-above approach when it comes to energy.

Noem Approves a Balanced Budget for FY2020
This week, Governor Kristi Noem signed final appropriations bills for FY2020.


Ellsworth Air Force Base to Welcome B-21 Training and Operational Squadron to Its Fleet
Governor Kristi Noem (R-S.D.), U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today issued the following statements after the U.S. Air Force announced that Ellsworth Air Force Base has officially been selected to receive the new B-21 training and operational squadron, which means it will be the first of three bases nationwide to host the B-21 bomber in its fleet. Infrastructure spending will begin in fiscal year 2021.

Noem Signs Pipeline Package into Law
Governor Kristi Noem today signed the Pipeline Package, SB189 and SB190, into law. Introduced by Noem, these bills are a legislative solution to ensure the safety and efficiency of pipeline construction in South Dakota.

Noem Issues Style and Form Veto for HB1186
Governor Kristi Noem today issued a Style and Form Veto for HB1186 to fix a drafting error and clarify legislative intent. Noem sent the following message to the South Dakota House of Representatives:

Noem Issues Style and Form Veto for SB176
Governor Kristi Noem today issued a Style and Form Veto for SB176 to fix a drafting error and clarify legislative intent. Noem sent the following message to the South Dakota Senate:


Noem Appoints Sixth Circuit Judge
Governor Kristi Noem today appointed M. Bridget Mayer to serve as judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit.

Governor's Column: South Dakota Grit In The Face of Storms
Earlier this month, our state was hit by a bomb cyclone – an unusual name to match unusual circumstances. The middle of our state got buried in snow, while the southeast corner was devastated by four inches of rain fallen on frozen ground, sending it into the river and causing major flooding throughout the region.


Noem Signs Bill to Fast-Track Licensing Processes for Military Spouses
Governor Kristi Noem today approved HB1111, a bill to ease the professional licensing process for the spouses of military members assigned to Ellsworth Air Force base or other locations in South Dakota.

Noem Signs Bill to Increase Transparency in Government Settlements
Governor Kristi Noem today signed SB59, a transparency bill that prevents the state government from entering into secret lawsuit settlements and makes these state legal agreements public record.


Noem Closes Portions of Southeast Waterways Due to Flooding
Governor Kristi Noem has closed portions of three waterways in southeast South Dakota to recreational use because of flooding.

Noem Signs Bill to Enhance Intellectual Diversity on Campuses
Governor Kristi Noem today signed HB1087, a bill to increase intellectual diversity on college campuses.


Noem Signs Bill to Streamline Renewable Energy Potential
Governor Kristi Noem yesterday signed SB15, a bill to streamline the permit procedures for solar and wind energy facilities and assist the PUC in managing its docket.

Noem Approves Pro-Life Legislative Package
Governor Kristi Noem today approved a package of bills to strengthen the rights of unborn children.


Noem Approves Enhanced Concealed Carry in State Capitol
Governor Kristi Noem yesterday signed SB115, a bill to allow individuals with an enhanced concealed carry permits to bring firearms into the South Dakota State Capitol building.


Noem Encourages Residents of Big Sioux River Valley to Prepare for Flooding
Governor Kristi Noem today encouraged people living in the Big Sioux River Valley in eastern South Dakota to start preparing for record flooding.


Noem Signs Emergency Declaration
Governor Kristi Noem today signed an emergency declaration that allows the use of additional state funds for South Dakota counties impacted by this week’s blizzard and flood.

Governor's Weekly Column: Addressing the Nursing Home Crisis
Mobridge. Madison. Tripp. Rapid City. Bryant. Rosholt. Huron. Watertown. The common thread between these communities? Nursing home closures. In all, 10 nursing home facilities around our state have closed their doors in recent years.


Noem Orders Opening of Emergency Operations Center, Preparing Emergency Declaration
Governor Kristi Noem today ordered the opening of the state Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Pierre to help coordinate the state’s response to ongoing blizzard and flood conditions and announced that the state is preparing an emergency declaration.

Noem Signs Bill to Increase Hospital Billing Accountability
Governor Kristi Noem yesterday signed SB70, a bill to increase accountability and fairness in medical billing practices.


Noem Accepting Applications for Summer Interns
Governor Kristi Noem is now accepting applications for the Governor’s Office summer internship program.


Noem Approves Bill Allowing Schools to Carry Opioid Antidotes
Governor Kristi Noem today signed SB84, a bill that allows trained staff at schools to administer opioid antidotes in case of an overdose.

Noem Vetoes Industrial Hemp Legislation
Governor Kristi Noem today vetoed HB1191 and sent the following message to the South Dakota House of Representatives:


Noem Signs Reporter Shield Law
Governor Kristi Noem yesterday signed the Reporter Shield Law, a bill that protects journalists from revealing privileged sources and information.

Governor's Column: Protecting Our Free Press
One of South Dakota’s greatest resources is the hometown newspaper. Local newspapers, television stations, and other media sources like these play an instrumental role in keeping communities strong and informed. And honest reporting can be a valuable tool in upholding the integrity of government entities.


Noem Statement on the Passage of Pipeline Legislative Package
Governor Kristi Noem released the following statement after the House and Senate passed her pipeline legislative package, SB189 and SB190:


10 Facts About Governor Noem’s Pipeline Package
Today, the Joint Committee on Appropriations held a hearing on Governor Noem’s pipeline package. Here are ten facts about the set of bills, SB189 and SB190.


Noem Seeks Nominations for Governor’s Ag Ambassador Award
Governor Kristi Noem is seeking nominations for the 2019 South Dakota Governor’s Ag Ambassador Award.

Noem Approves Legislation To Fight Sex Trafficking, Streamline Adult Adoption
Governor Kristi Noem today finalized two pro-family bills.


Noem Introduces Pipeline Legislative Package
Governor Kristi Noem today proposed two bills for pipeline construction. “The legislative package introduced today will help ensure the Keystone XL pipeline and other future pipeline projects are built in a safe and efficient manner while protecting our state and counties from extraordinary law enforcement costs in the event of riots,” said Noem.


Governor's Column: Making South Dakota an Example to the Nation
South Dakota is a small state in terms of population and GDP, but we’re nimble. We have a responsive state government that does more with less. This set of characteristics allows us to take innovative approaches when it comes to issues like economic growth, meth, or dealing with the Indian Health Service (IHS).


Noem Selects Seventh Circuit Judge
Governor Kristi Noem today announced that Joshua Hendrickson will serve as judge for South Dakota’s Seventh Judicial Circuit.


Noem to Permanently Display Tribal Flags in the Capitol Rotunda
Governor Kristi Noem today announced her plan to permanently display the flags of South Dakota’s nine tribal nations in the State Capitol rotunda.


Noem Urges HHS Secretary Azar to Address Meth Epidemic
In a meeting with United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar on Sunday, Governor Kristi Noem urged the administration to help address South Dakota’s rising meth epidemic.


Governor's Column: Every Child Deserves a Home
Foster care is an issue I’ve cared about for a long time. Growing up, I had a foster brother who made a big impact on my family and taught my siblings and me a different kind of love, compassion, and strength I don’t know if I would have otherwise understood.


Noem Approves Grant for New SDSBVI Project
Governor Kristi Noem today awarded a $2.5 million state grant for the construction of the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (SDSBVI), part of the school’s joint Educational Impact Campaign with Northern State University (NSU).


Noem Signs Six Bills Into Law
Governor Kristi Noem signed the following pieces of legislation today


Noem Streamlines Education Processes for Military Families, Signs Additional Legislation into Law
Governor Kristi Noem yesterday signed legislation to streamline school enrollment processes for military families relocating to a new school district.

Governor's Column: Putting Knowledge to Work
Growing up, I loved working on the farm with my dad. It’s a good thing, too, because there was plenty of work to get done. We’d stay in the fields from dawn to dusk, but we didn’t know any other way.


Noem Levels Scholarship Playing Field for Homeschool Students, Signs Eleven Bills into Law
Governor Kristi Noem today signed a bill to make homeschool students eligible, on an equal basis, for the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship.


Noem Appoints Bies, Whitmyre to Game, Fish and Parks Commission
Governor Kristi Noem today announced that she has appointed Travis Bies of Fairburn and Robert Whitmyre of Webster to the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission.


President Orders Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Former Lawmaker
President Donald Trump today ordered flags nationwide to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Saturday, February 9, 2019, to honor the life of former Representative John David Dingell, Jr. of Michigan.

Noem Approves Nine Bills
Governor Kristi Noem signed the following pieces of legislation this afternoon:

Governor's Column: Advancing Agriculture
Agriculture is the foundation of South Dakota's economy and our number one industry – by a significant margin. All in all, it contributes about $25.6 billion to the economy, so when ag prospers, South Dakota prospers. Of course, when droughts hit or markets slide, everyone feels that too.

Noem Encourages Legislators to Table Industrial Hemp Discussions
Governor Kristi Noem today asked the South Dakota legislature to table discussions on legalizing industrial hemp this legislative session.


Noem Orders Capitol Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Former Lawmaker
Governor Kristi Noem today ordered flags at the South Dakota State Capitol to be flown at half-staff from 8am until sunset on Friday, February 8, 2019, to honor the life of former state legislator Carol Fitzgerald of Rapid City.


Noem Selects Sixth Circuit Judge
Governor Kristi Noem today announced the selection of Christina Klinger to serve as judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit.

Noem Vetoes Bill Regulating Solar Energy
Gov. Noem today vetoed Senate Bill 14 and sent the following message to the South Dakota Senate:


Noem Statement on President Trump’s State of the Union Address
Governor Kristi Noem today issued the following statement after President Trump’s State of the Union address.

Noem Approves Legislation to Expand South Dakota Energy Potential
Governor Kristi Noem today approved legislation to expand South Dakota renewable energy production.


Governor's Column: Protecting Our Way of Life
More than 230 years ago, the Founding Fathers of our country penned the Constitution that has since laid the framework of centuries of policies. Many things have changed since then, but our core American values have not.


Noem Approves Constitutional Carry Legislation, Nine Other Bills
Governor Kristi Noem today signed her first bill into law. SB47, which Noem signed today, will further protect the Second Amendment rights of South Dakotans by allowing constitutional carry.


Committee Approves Noem’s Bill to “Crack Down” on South Dakota Abortion Providers
Governor Kristi Noem today applauded the Senate Health and Human Services Committee after their approval of her bill to further “crack down” on South Dakota abortion providers.

Governor's Column: Revitalizing Rural South Dakota
Hometowns are the heartbeat of South Dakota. I’m proud to be from a rural hometown. It’s where I learned the values of hard work and self-reliance, where Bryon and I chose to raise our kids, where we started an insurance business and hunting lodge, and where my family has farmed and ranched for a century. But many small towns like ours are struggling today.