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Votes at a glance: Senate confirms two appointments, passes consent calendar and signs bills
Summary
On Feb. 26, 2025, the South Dakota Senate confirmed two executive appointments to the Ellsworth Development Authority, passed multiple bills on the consent calendar and the president signed several enacted bills in open session.
The South Dakota Senate confirmed two executive appointments to the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority and approved a consent calendar of bills during the Feb. 26, 2025 floor session in Pierre.
Appointments: The Senate advised and consented to the governor’s nominations of Alois Bridal of Pennington County, Rapid City, and Michael Cartney of Ravilla (Jewel County) to the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority. Both confirmations were recorded by roll call at 34 yeas, 0 nays, 1 excused and the president declared both appointments confirmed. Senator Duhamel introduced Alois Bridal and highlighted his Rapid City business background and community involvement. Senator Vilhauer introduced Michael Cartney and noted his background as a retired Air Force colonel and former president of Lake Area Technical College.
Consent calendar: The Senate placed a group of House bills and several reappointments on the consent calendar; by unanimous voice/roll vote those items were declared passed and the appointments confirmed. Items moved from the consent calendar included, as listed on the floor: House Bills 10‑79 (increase off‑sale licenses in small municipalities), 10‑80 (void covenants restricting firearms), 1100 (judicial opinions reporting clarifications), 11‑29 (transfer of motor vehicles and boats upon death), 11‑33 (bond requirement changes) and reappointments to the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority and South Dakota Lottery Commission. The Senate recorded the consent calendar result as 34 yeas, 0 nays, 1 excused.
Signatures in open session: The president read and signed several bills in open session as required by the state constitution. The president signed Senate Bill 111 (family therapy/reunification therapy in custody cases), Senate Bill 93 (prohibit payment or rebate of insurance deductibles by motor‑vehicle repair contractors), House Bill 10‑57 (transfer racing fund monies), House Bill 10‑63 (fiscal‑note preparation for ballot questions), House Bill 11‑73 (eliminate cap on assessment amounts for road improvements) and House Bill 10‑44 (authorize use of newborn safety device for voluntary surrender of a newborn, with clarifying changes).
Procedure note: Items placed on the consent calendar were reported from committee as uncontested and therefore not subject to floor debate beyond clarification questions. Several other House bills were given first readings and assigned to standing committees; the Senate also recorded committee reports recommending passage on specified bills.
What this means: Confirmed appointees will begin serving on the Ellsworth Development Authority as stated by the governor’s nominations; consent calendar bills will proceed to enrollment and, where applicable, to the governor for signature or implementation as prescribed by statute. The Senate also announced committee schedules and next‑day meetings before adjourning.
