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House gives first reading to a slate of bills including medical debt, voter file and minors' health records
Summary
The South Dakota House put a group of bills on first reading, covering topics from medical debt collection to revisions of ballot-question fiscal notes; committee referrals were announced and bill details beyond titles were not specified in the session record.
The House of Representatives gave first reading to a group of bills, House Bills 1056 through 1063, during the floor session where the clerk read the measures aloud.
The bills covered a range of topics: House Bill 1056 would prohibit the preparation, sale and distribution of certain craton products; HB 1057 would transfer monies from the South Dakota bridal racing fund to the special racing revolving fund; HB 1058 would prohibit collecting and reporting certain medical debt; HB 1059 would clarify the meaning of “teleconference” for open-meeting requirements; HB 1060 would revise a provision related to civil commitment following a determination of mental incompetency; HB 1061 would prohibit a health-care provider from restricting or denying a parent or guardian’s access to certain medical records and health information of a minor; HB 1062 would amend provisions for maintenance and publication of the statewide voter registration file; and HB 1063 would revise provisions for preparing a fiscal note for ballot questions. The session record did not provide legislative text beyond these short descriptions or show debate on the merits of the bills.
Why it matters: First reading places bills on the House’s calendar so they can be referred to committees for further consideration and public hearings. Committee assignment determines which panel will vet the bill text, hold testimony and consider amendments before any floor vote.
Committee referrals announced during the session indicated where the measures will go for consideration: the speaker signed HB 1054 to House Education; HB 1055, HB 1056, HB 1058 and HB 1061 to House Health and Human Services; HB 1060 to House Judiciary; HB 1059 to House Local Government; and HB 1052 to House State Affairs. The record did not specify committee chairs’ actions, hearing dates, fiscal notes, or sponsors for each listed bill.
The clerk read the bills as part of the first-reading process; no committee hearings or final actions on the bills were recorded in the excerpts of this session.
Looking ahead: Each bill will proceed through the committee process before any potential second reading or floor vote. Committee hearing schedules and bill text must be consulted separately for the full details and next steps.
