PIERRE, South Dakota, Feb. 7 -- Gov. Kristi Noem, R-South Dakota, issued the following news release on Feb. 6, 2024: Today, Governor Kristi Noem and five of her fellow Republican governors sent a letter to President Biden and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack opposing the amendment of all land management plans for units of the National Forest System. "We have watched this effort unfold over the course of nearly two years. During this time, USDA and USFS leade  more

PIERRE, South Dakota, Feb. 10 -- Gov. Kristi Noem, R-South Dakota, issued the following commentary on Feb. 9, 2024: * * * Supporting Second Chances As I travel the state, the biggest challenge that I hear about is a shortage of workers. We've been taking action to fill open jobs. But for some folks, their past mistakes stand in the way of the career of their dreams. During my State of the State Address, I discussed South Dakotans' Freedom to Get a Second Chance. Specifically, I talked about   more

PIERRE, South Dakota, Feb. 5 -- Gov. Kristi Noem, R-South Dakota, issued the following statement on Feb. 3, 2024: * * * Today, Governor Kristi Noem issued the following statement in response to Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out's comments: "In my first year serving as Governor, I repeatedly visited Pine Ridge to work on relationships between the State of South Dakota and the Oglala Sioux Tribe. I wanted to work with them on a number of issues - I still do. In my last visit to   more

PIERRE, South Dakota, Feb. 6 -- Gov. Kristi Noem, R-South Dakota, issued the following news release on Feb. 5, 2024: Today, Governor Kristi Noem signed the following 29 bills to streamline state government into law: * SB 2 removes provisions for establishing a uniform method for calculating high school credit received from completing a postsecondary course; * SB 4 revises provisions regarding township contracts for snow removal; * SB 19 rescinds rulemaking authority pertaining to the process  more

PIERRE, South Dakota, Feb. 6 -- Gov. Kristi Noem, R-South Dakota, issued the following news release on Feb. 5, 2024: Today, Governor Kristi Noem signed two compact bills into law. HB 1013 adopts the advanced practice registered nurse compact. And HB 1015 adopts the social work licensure compact. "South Dakota's economy is continuing to thrive, and these bills will help us continue to grow our workforce," said Governor Noem. "These compacts cut government red tape and make it easier for more fo  more

PIERRE, South Dakota, Feb. 5 -- Gov. Kristi Noem, R-South Dakota, issued the following news release: Today, Governor Kristi Noem signed two pro-Second Amendment bills into law. SB 39 prohibits a homeowners' association from placing restrictions on firearms or firearm ammunition. And HB 1035 extends the period of renewal for an enhanced permit to carry a concealed pistol. "South Dakota is a Second Amendment haven," said Governor Noem. "These two bills strengthen our reputation as the most pro-S  more

PIERRE, South Dakota, Feb. 8 -- Gov. Kristi Noem, R-South Dakota, issued the following news release on Feb. 7, 2024: Today, Governor Kristi Noem signed SB 57 to provide second-chance professional licensing opportunities into law. This bill creates uniform procedures for consideration of criminal histories and conviction in professional or occupational licensure. "When individuals are ready to reenter society, we want them to have the opportunity to build a career and provide for themselves and  more

PIERRE, South Dakota, Feb. 10 -- Gov. Kristi Noem, R-South Dakota, issued the following news release on Feb. 9, 2024: Today, the South Dakota Supreme Court released its advisory opinion on state legislators' interest in state or county contracts in response to Governor Noem's request. The advisory opinion can be found here (https://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/30488ac53a4b.pdf). "I want to thank the Supreme Court for answering my request to clarify the question of legislative contracts and i  more