Except for veto day on March 30, today is the final day of the legislative session. We are disappointed that we could not pass the bills to repeal the South Dakota High School Activities Association’s (SDHSAA) transgender policy. As we were lobbying the senators and representatives face-to-face, we are thankful that you were lobbying, also, via e-mail and phone. We are thankful for your prayers as well.
HB1195/SB140 failed on Thursday when the conference committee was unable to agree to any of the amendments that were offered. We felt there was no amendment to the bill that would make it palatable enough to pass in the Senate without weakening the intent of the bill.
The SDHSAA is the creation and under the authority of the state legislature. Yet, 18 senators refused to use that authority by supporting HB1195/SB140. These bills to repeal the transgender policy were straightforward and well-written. It was a black and white issue.
Those senators who voted YES – (We wanted a YES vote.)
Cammack (R) Union Center; Ewing (R) Spearfish; Greenfield (R) Clark; Haggar, Jenna (R) Sioux Falls; Heineman (R) Sioux Falls; Holien (R) Watertown; Jensen (R) Rapid City; Lederman (R) Dakota Dunes; Monroe (R) Pierre; Novstrup, David, (R) Aberdeen; Olson, Betty (R) Prairie City; Omdahl (R) Sioux Falls; Otten (R) Tea; Peterson, Jim, (D) Revillo; Rampelberg (R) Rapid City; Van Gerpen (R) Tyndall.
Those senators who voted NO.
Bradford (D) Pine Ridge; Brown (R) Gettysburg; Buhl O’Donnell (D) Sioux Falls; Curd (R) Sioux Falls; Frerichs (D) Wilmot; Haverly (R) Rapid City; Heinert (D) Mission; Hunhoff, Bernie (D) Yankton; Parsley (D) Madison; Peters (R) Hartford; Rave (R) Baltic; Rusch (R) Vermillion; Soholt (R) Sioux Falls; Solano (R) Rapid City; Sutton (D) Burke; Tidemann (R) Brookings; Tieszen (R) Rapid City; Vehle (R) Mitchell; White (R) Huron.
Though disappointed, we are not without hope because God is still on the throne, and we hold fast that something good will come out of our efforts.
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” Psalm 37: 5-6
OUR NEXT STEP
There will be a meeting of the South Dakota High School Activities Association April 21, in Pierre. Please mark your calendar and plan to be there to show your objection to the transgender policy. It would be especially meaningful if young adults attended, even young children with their parents. We need to crowd that room!
The transgender policy was adopted by the SDHSAA last June after conducting hearings that were open to the public. Apparently, no citizen attended the meetings to object to the proposed policy. We all need to become more involved to repeal this policy and make sure nothing like this creeps into our state policies, whether through the SDHSAA, local or state government.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR PLAN TO ATTEND THE SDHSAA MEETING IN PIERRE, APRIL 21. WATCH FOR MORE DETAILS LATER.