One Step at a Time

By: Gov. Larry Rhoden

February 27, 2026

If you’ve ever built something from the ground up, you realize that nothing worthwhile happens overnight. It takes steady work and a willingness to do the tough tasks. On the ranch, that means checking fences after a snowstorm or putting calves on the ground in frigid weather. The same goes for turning good ideas into law here in South Dakota.

We just wrapped Crossover Day in the Legislature, that checkpoint in session where bills have to clear one chamber to keep moving. Many legislators wear black on Crossover, because unfinished or unvetted ideas often meet their end that day.

This past week, Crossover came and went, and we crossed off a few key milestones for my legislative priorities. Take Senate Bill 96, my proposal to give the people the opportunity for real property tax relief. My plan gives the people in each county a choice to opt for a half-cent sales tax to offset their share of owner-occupied property taxes – and they’ll only do so if it makes sense for them. It's not a mandate from Pierre – it’s a choice. The Senate passed it before Crossover, and now it's headed to the House.

To get that bill passed, my team put together a personalized analysis for every Senate district and handed them out to lawmakers directly. We wanted them to see how my plan would benefit their constituents. And as the bill moves over to the House, we’re taking it a step further – I unveiled a web page for South Dakotans to see how they would benefit in each county. That progress comes from listening, including at town halls across the state and in earnest discussions with legislators over the past several weeks.

My bill to shield our law enforcement officers from doxxing threats by removing their personal info from the public voter database, HB 1084, passed and is on its way to my desk. We've seen ugly attacks against law enforcement in other states, and I wasn't about to let that creep into South Dakota. This measure got amended in its first committee hearing to have a better focus. That’s how our process works – bills get thoroughly vetted, and the ones that pass emerge stronger for the scrutiny. The men and women in blue deserve that kind of diligent work as a thanks for everything they do to keep our communities safe.

Finally, SB 113, my bill to protect freedom to worship, is also headed to my desk. That bill was born out of what we saw take place in Minnesota, where sacred spaces were turned into chaos. When that happened, I got to work with legislative leaders to craft the right solution, and our end product was a strong one that got through the process unamended. America was founded on Freedom of Religion, and this bill guarantees it for the next generation, ensuring folks can worship without fear.

Crossover Day isn't the finish line. Plenty of bills still need more work in the coming weeks, and we still have a balanced budget to deliver. But I’m confident that the end result will be good if we roll up our sleeves and keep doing the hard work. I'm grateful for the legislators, staff, and citizens who've put in the long hours and done the unsung tasks. Together, we're keeping South Dakota strong, safe, and free – one step at a time.

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