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Senate approves ban on transfers from federal campaign committees to state races
Summary
Senate Bill 201, amended on the floor, prohibits contributions and loans from an authorized committee of a candidate for federal office to be used in state campaigns; sponsors say it narrows out-of-state influence.
The South Dakota Senate passed Senate Bill 201, which prohibits transfers of funds from an authorized committee of a federal candidate to state campaigns.
Senator Pishke moved and described an amendment (201A) on the floor to clarify that the measure applies only to candidate committees and not to national committees such as the RNC or DNC. Senator Pyshke (prime sponsor) said the amendment clarifies questions raised in committee and asked for favorable consideration.
Sponsor Senator Pyshke told colleagues the measure addresses concerns that money raised in high-dollar federal campaigns can be funneled into state-level races and influence local politics: "money raised at the federal level should be used for federal elections, and money raised at the state level should be used for state level elections," he said.
Senator Smith said she understands the intent but warned the bill may face legal challenges in determining what restrictions the state can place on federal campaign funds. Senator Pischke (floor closing) acknowledged the bill closes "one of those loopholes" but called it a small step.
The roll call on final passage recorded 31 yeas and 4 nays; the President declared the bill passed and the title correct.
Ending: SB 201, as amended by 201A, prohibits transfers from federal candidate committees to state races; legal questions were raised on the floor about enforceability and constitutional constraints that could shape implementation.
