Late last year, reports surfaced of video ads, sponsored by Mayday Health, playing at service station gas pumps that promoted the so-called “benefits” of abortion and provided instructions for obtaining the “abortion pill.” South Dakota Attorney General (AG) Marty Jackley has challenged the legality of these ads, as abortion pills are illegal in South Dakota.
AG Jackley is defending our state’s abortion laws in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, asserting that Mayday Health engaged in deceptive advertising. You may read AG Jackley’s press release here.
PRAYER: Pray for AG Jackley as he defends our state laws and the sanctity of life. Pray that the court will find Mayday Health guilty of deceptive advertising and that these ads will be banned in South Dakota.
Current Legislation
HJR5001 is a resolution currently being heard during this legislative session that is intended to protect private property rights. If passed by the legislature, it will be placed on the November ballot, allowing South Dakota voters to decide whether this language should be added to our state Constitution.
A little history: In 2024, the people of South Dakota voted No on RL21 (Regulation of Carbon Dioxide Pipelines), thereby stopping the implementation of SB201, legislation that would have established new statutory requirements for regulating linear transmission facilities, allowed counties to impose a surcharge on certain pipeline companies, abolish local control regarding CO2 pipeline, and created a so-called landowner bill of rights. We were grateful that the people overwhelmingly voted NO on RL21 last November.
In 2025, the legislature passed HB1052, which prohibited the use of eminent domain for dangerous carbon dioxide pipelines. While HB1052 was a good start, a codified law can be easily repealed or weakened by subsequent legislation.
That brings us to HJR5001. HJR5001 is intended to protect property owners from eminent domain abuse for projects labeled as economic development or tax base expansion. The resolution passed in the House this week; however, unfriendly amendments were adopted that make the resolution unacceptable. In the meantime, the sponsors are working to develop the best possible language for inclusion in our South Dakota Constitution. The measure is expected to be heard in the Senate, possibly next week.
PRAYER: Lord, help the sponsors of HJR5001 as they work to draft the best possible language to protect our freedoms and property rights. May this measure pass the legislature with integrity and clarity.
“Freedom and property rights are inseparable.
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