The bills of interest to us are moving slowly. Lisa Gennaro, one of our Legislative Liaisons, and I met with our pro-family friends to review the legislation we are monitoring. We expect to see several strong pro-life bills introduced, along with one concerning bill. Stay tuned for updates!
On Friday, we attended the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast – a wonderful, God-honoring event with more than 400 in attendance. Will Graham, grandson of Billy Graham, delivered a powerful message on Nicodemus from John 3.
SB 44 – An Act to establish investigative subpoena authority to gather business records in certain investigations
SB 44 was heard in the Senate Judiciary this week, where Lisa testified in support. Sexual predators are using the internet to groom, abuse, and traffic our children. This bill would allow law enforcement to obtain critical evidence from the predator’s computer more quickly before additional victims are harmed.
SB 44 passed unanimously out of committee and is expected to pass easily in both chambers. No action is needed at this time.
SB 41 – An Act to revise a provision related to criminal invasions of privacy, prohibit the creation and distribution of digitally fabricated material of an identifiable individual, and provide penalties therefor
This bill addresses the growing misuse of AI technology, where individuals’ images are used without permission and digitally placed onto another person’s body. SB41 would require the identifiable individual’s consent.
SB 41 passed unanimously out of committee and is expected to pass easily in the full Senate and House. No action is needed at this time.
Article V Constitutional Convention
SJR 502 passed the Senate State Affairs Committee on Friday, January 23, by a vote of 8-1. We opposed this resolution.
SJR 503 also passed the Senate State Affairs Committee on Friday, January 23, by a vote of 8-1. Again, we opposed this resolution.
For more information on these two resolutions, refer to our Legislative Update from last week.
ACTION NEEDED!
Please contact your two state representatives and ask them to oppose SJR 502 and SJR 503.
- Find your state representatives here.
- Visit the Legislator Listing to find their email addresses.
- Include your district number in the subject line so they know you are from their district. Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of South Dakota.
The more legislators hear from us as an organization, the greater our influence will be as members of the steering committee and I lobby legislators at the Capitol this session. We are working to defeat these resolutions in the House, and your outreach is vital to that effort.
Please forward this e-alert to others today and ask them to pray and take action.
PRAYER
Father, we thank You for legislators who serve in our state capitol in Pierre. Guide and direct them as they draft bills and make decisions. Help them to seek and know Your will. Bless them and their families as they are separated during the week. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thank you for your prayers and attention to these matters.
