[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6349437,"mediaKeyId","2238609-de53010a9d747637ef6a33be1e918a2e","parentId",2238609,"title","Senate approves changes to Board of Internal Controls, requires agency internal-control officers","audioSeconds",481,"startMs",4788000,"endMs",5269000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2238609-de53010a9d747637ef6a33be1e918a2e&start=4788&end=5269","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2238609-de53010a9d747637ef6a33be1e918a2e/thumbnail_4788000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6349437/South-Dakota/Senate-approves-changes-to-Board-of-Internal-Controls-requires-agency-internal-control-officers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6349437-ff42844897f05e751d1fdfb63e4fc2ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170072&Signature=aRr9ZV6LXYfNJ~2QxWBkUGzssM1mNEvNwRUV3JlRYGPtJSVwsLthJWuRoobsp6FUCaDzHkR5QMG~~nUfm2GYC2Pvm0rFFB3yTJd8J2oQs6HVm8FbbwQrgnJlTyzp0D2P6WkT6ft1OuAwfqp6QORU~KYihF9Kwy1LgJmb0LsOjP-JcL7hgb75iy3IaVyHr82lekghyBQ8cFvKA6l5XDIHJDWHRTBOP9UJGQl9ZD6FU22vphmhTJi5huM9mmkggDk7RxtWj0eCrnV467YaCwXG76T1bhcWMu4VuZNF9BvTt~-0eI1rpJiq41Gr~yhy2fo3N4W-kf1G8D9B4sXCwYZ6eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of South Dakota","date","2025-02-06T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Melhoff, sponsor of Senate Bill 61, told the Senate the bill strengthens internal controls within state agencies and seeks to reduce fraud by defining agency-level internal-control officers and requiring annual reviews of internal controls. The chamber approved the bill in a roll-call vote, 32 yeas to 1 nay, with two excused.

Melhoff said the measure clarifies responsibilities in the Bureau of Finance and Management and requires internal-control officers in agencies to review procedures that separate duties (for example, preventing one person from both approving and issuing a voucher). The sponsor said the changes would give the Board of Internal Controls oversight and supervisory authority to ensure agencies comply with the required guidelines.

Senator Reid, who served on the summer government operations and audit committee, said the internal control board had good processes but needed stronger focus on membership and oversight to make sure control points are checked; he said the bill helps the board get the job done. Senator White asked for clarification on who would occupy the agency-level internal-control roles; Melhoff said agencies would appoint officers, likely staff with accounting or business experience, and agencies could share officers when appropriate.

During the roll call the presiding officer announced 32 yeas, 1 nay and 2 excused. The lone recorded nay on the vote was Senator Voigt. The bill was declared passed and its title deemed correct for enrollment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","South Dakota Senate - Day 15","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 61, which modifies the Board of Internal Controls, requires agencies to designate internal control officers and mandates annual reviews of internal controls. The bill passed on a roll call, 32 yeas, 1 nay, 2 excused.","taxTitle","2025 Legislative SD, South Dakota","taxId",77845,"location","South Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6349442,"Senate fails to expand state auditor’s investigatory reach after contentious amendment fight",1429,3257000,4686000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2238609-de53010a9d747637ef6a33be1e918a2e&start=3257&end=4686","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2238609-de53010a9d747637ef6a33be1e918a2e/thumbnail_3257000.jpg","/articles/6349442/South-Dakota/Senate-fails-to-expand-state-auditors-investigatory-reach-after-contentious-amendment-fight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6349442-46786457795ac6b8ab057e9f9593fe3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170072&Signature=k9FtLtYh5iU73~c~OYLhB8LlBap6nCKo0vJSb4y38A0dF-3UKCxUk-zVnfz9WuU1JbtBcDqN6zSO8PlK3uJabz9S1TMRgBLuPoj9OWgTB1C-Zjw4em7OovubtIn7nRoAQ3i9qxLsLhUULUdzCRET3NFy~Z266Hu1oCI1-xzEdty6URzF7dfpfdTUGEaQb-4RFQxckUpHyOdXKmCAD6rP4iVmEHxFv0gDNOJkPTQ52CnXr0flbCRx1Y1hisIFTa~VqUdYqvKz8t~sIQvkuzqDHBf5ZS5451sNSf8dv1MaSwSYHos7OM6jgr~i71HbR8mEbZ4hUU9rtPV17zrCivtDDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Petersen, the bill’s sponsor, asked the Senate to expand the state auditor’s access to agency records to strengthen oversight and help prevent misuse of public funds. The Senate debated an amendment (60D) that would narrow the auditor’s investigatory powers; amendment 60D failed on a roll call, and the underlying bill also failed on final passage, with the president announcing 16 yeas, 17 nays and two excused.

Petersen said the bill would allow the auditor to access agency records “for the specific purpose of conducting audits, investigating improper governmental conduct, and ensuring that effective internal controls are in place.” The sponsor told senators the change would add “independently elected eyes” to oversee fiscal policies.

Opponents and supporters sparred over the proper scope and checks on investigatory power. Senator Kolbeck and others argued the amendment was necessary to avoid concentrating broad investigatory power in an elected office that could change hands, and to avoid duplicating the work of Legislative Audit. Senators Jensen, Grove, Howard and Vojta opposed the amendment, saying the original legislation—backed in committee—better met the attorney general’s intent to allow stronger oversight.

Senator Wheeler supported the amendment as a balance that preserves oversight while avoiding duplication of Legislative Audit’s work; he argued the amendment would ensure the auditor employs qualified staff with auditing expertise. Senator Melhoff, who sponsored a separate but related bill, said the change strengthened internal controls across state agencies and described the measure as a response to recent fraud cases.

A roll-call vote defeated Amendment 60D (16 yeas, 17 nays, 2 excused). After further debate the Senate voted on final passage of Senate Bill 60; the presiding officer announced the bill failed to receive a majority of members elect, with 16 yays, 17 nays and two excused. Senator Petersen registered a motion to reconsider.","Senate Bill 60 would have given the elected state auditor broader access to agency records and required coordination between the Bureau of Finance and Management, the auditor and treasurer. An amendment narrowing investigatory language (Amendment 60D) failed, and the final bill also failed on a 16-17 vote with two excused votes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6349447,"Senate rejects ban on drone use for property tax assessments after privacy, safety debate",1169,2031000,3200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2238609-de53010a9d747637ef6a33be1e918a2e&start=2031&end=3200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2238609-de53010a9d747637ef6a33be1e918a2e/thumbnail_2031000.jpg","/articles/6349447/South-Dakota/Senate-rejects-ban-on-drone-use-for-property-tax-assessments-after-privacy-safety-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6349447-2794ce1582c54c4ea8235ba4b03793c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170072&Signature=SOI1PpUl-coluCEiifUmnWkB1Ea0Epsmu85OmnJDae00ofeEwOTe1jvwHcMktFNzctpWJfLz9rAFqlRbDy2zpHVvaU4A4mqru8zAFMrINlOUSMXT58LnLd6Pehp2nv0fWZAngMfEm3tSRAELUf1gb7Z14gET9KYLTqvfP~nWGb-u758yKHVWo03ycbDNM4vaDwpVHgTJ0ebtPzuyQcObDtw3-InbVIMAmOHNzDbjSvwwvQFzHBh1~NKFg--sZORAIyCKwNOSn~XdEa20HEyqHs2gLVAzqSZz-vJYSK-ZdXl~W4Ux9e7B~Aj7LOM6NPjLC3U5cDzv4OO6FrHlz2wXPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Carly, the bill’s sponsor, asked the Senate to prohibit government use of drones for property tax assessment, saying the technology risks residents’ privacy and safety. Senate Bill 50 failed on final passage, 17 yeas to 16 nays, with two senators excused.

Carly opened debate by describing how drones can capture imagery at “window level” and said the state should avoid having “a drone army assessing our homes.” The sponsor listed other concerns: battery fires, hazards to people and livestock, and growing public unease as drone use becomes more widespread.

Supporters of the bill framed it as a privacy and safety protection. Carly said, “So why are we here? We're here because we don't wanna have a drone army assessing our homes with with, our tax assessors.” Senators Hone and Deibert described incidents and risks for livestock and private property; Hone said the measure was “a good start” and Deibert said licensed drone operators are not the concern but private misuse is.

Opponents said counties and assessors rely on drones as a practical, less-intrusive tool in some rural areas. Senator Vilhauer told the chamber he had been contacted by assessors who asked not to lose “a valuable resource” that helps reach inaccessible parcels and saves counties money. An opponent also said comparable tools—satellite imagery, fixed-wing mapping, drive-by inspections and county records—are available but that drones can fill gaps where terrain or access make other methods impractical.

Several senators raised constitutional and process questions in debate. Senator Pischke asked whether drone use implicated the Fourth Amendment; Carly responded by citing the Fourth Amendment language and the South Dakota Bill of Rights as the basis for privacy concerns. Senators also debated whether consent procedures, training, FAA licensing, or safeguards could address the sponsor’s concerns.

The final roll-call produced 17 yeas, 16 nays and two excused; the president declared the bill lost. Senator Carly noted her “motion to reconsider.”

The failure leaves current practice unchanged: counties that choose to use drones for some functions may continue to do so pending any future statutory change or local policy.","Senators debated a bill that would prohibit county assessors from using drones to value property. Sponsor cited privacy and safety concerns; assessors and some senators said drones are a useful tool. The measure failed on a 17-16 roll call, with 2 excused.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate approves changes to Board of Internal Controls, requires agency internal-control officers

Senate fails to expand state auditor’s investigatory reach after contentious amendment fight

Senate rejects ban on drone use for property tax assessments after privacy, safety debate