The 2024 legislative session began Tuesday, Jan. 9. My committee assignments include serving on the following committees: Taxation, Transportation, and Tribal Relations. I will again be serving as Chairman of the Senate Education Committee. The duties as chairman include working with the committee staff and various stakeholders to schedule the committee meetings and put together the agenda, and running the committee meetings which are typically held on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Many bills have already been introduced and are getting heard in committees. While the Appropriations Committee sets the budget, other committees are hearing some of the bills that spend money before deciding if the bill should be sent to the Appropriations Committee or defeated.
One bill was Senate Bill 34 which was heard in Senate Education. SB 34 would have required a school sentinel or resource officer to be available in every public school building when children are present. A portion of the cost would have been covered by the state and the rest by local school districts. The cost would have been in the millions and schools would have difficulty hiring required employees considering South Dakota’s low unemployment and workforce needs. Even many of the rural districts have several buildings. Schools continue to enhance security and develop safety plans which are best made at the local level. I voted no. SB 34 was defeated in Committee, five to two.
I can be contacted at 605-660-6468 or kyle.schoenfish@sdlegislature.gov
Kyle Schoenfish
District 19 State Senator
Chairman of Senate Education