Senate rejects motion to calendar Senate Bill 9 after debate over testimony accuracy

The South Dakota Senate declined a motion to place Senate Bill 9 on the calendar for the chamber’s next scheduled session after a contested floor exchange over testimony submitted in committee.

Senator Rowell moved to place Senate Bill 9 on the calendar for Tuesday, Jan. 28, the motion stating a desire for the bill to receive full debate on the Senate floor. "I believe the people of South Dakota deserve an open and transparent debate on it," Rowell said, asserting that some opposition testimony had included "factually inaccurate" claims. Senator Melhoff opposed the motion, saying he had not seen evidence of false testimony in committee and that the bill had a thorough hearing with both proponent and opponent testimony.

When the roll was called on Rowell’s motion, the result was 16 yays, 18 nays and 1 excused; the motion failed because it did not receive a majority of the members elect. No final action on the bill’s substance was recorded on the floor during this session.