Senate adopts amendment expanding state auditor access and investigative role; SB60 passes

Senate Bill 60, which expands the access and investigatory authority of the state auditor, advanced out of the South Dakota Senate after lawmakers adopted an amendment and voted to pass the bill.

Senator Jenna Petersen moved the motion to reconsider the prior defeat of SB60, saying two senators were absent the previous day and asking colleagues to reexamine the question. The motion to reconsider passed on a roll-call vote, 33 yeas and 2 nays, and the Senate took up SB60 for immediate consideration.

Senator Melhoff offered amendment 60E, which he described as clarifying the bill’s intent and restoring investigatory “teeth” to the auditor’s office: “What it does is it allows the state auditor access. It also grants them a qualified position to, oversee and, monitor the electronic and on-site books and, accounts of state government.” Melhoff said the amendment was supported by the attorney general, the state auditor and the Bureau of Finance and Management.

Senator Carr, supporting the amendment, framed the measure as a government-transparency and accountability step and urged colleagues to move it forward. The amendment was adopted by voice vote. Senator Petersen then urged final passage, describing the amended bill as the product of a process that addressed stakeholder concerns.

On final passage of SB60 as amended, the secretary called the roll. The Senate voted 35 yeas, 0 nays; the president declared the bill passed and the title deemed correct.

The Senate record shows this as a coordinated measure among constitutional officers and executive-branch entities; speakers noted it as a first step in a broader effort on accounting oversight and government transparency.

Votes and procedural steps recorded on the floor were: the motion to reconsider (Petersen; passed 33–2), adoption of amendment 60E (moved by Melhoff; voice vote carried), and final passage of SB60 as amended (passed 35–0).