South Dakota Senate confirms three appointments, adopts conference reports and signs bills in open session

Pierre, S.D. — The South Dakota Senate on March 12, 2025, confirmed three executive appointments, approved multiple conference committee reports by roll call, and formally signed a group of bills in open session before adjourning, Senate proceedings show.

The Senate advised and consented to the appointment of Griffin Peterson of Sully County to the South Dakota Board of Regents by a recorded vote of 35 yeas. Senator Sautner spoke in support, describing Peterson as a University of South Dakota junior active in student government and student organizations and urging colleagues, "Please vote please vote yes to appoint Griffin Peterson to the Board of Regents." The president declared the appointment confirmed after the roll call.

The body also confirmed Miles K. Beacom of Lincoln County to the Board of Regents. Senator Peterson introduced Beacom’s nomination, listing his decades of private-sector finance experience and leadership roles and asking colleagues to concur: "I would ask that you would join me in concurring with this appointment to the Board of Regents." The appointment passed on a roll call of 34 yeas and 1 nay and was declared confirmed.

The Senate confirmed James Dover of Minnehaha County to the South Dakota Board of Technical Education by a roll call vote of 35 yeas. Senator Smith introduced Dover’s nomination and summarized his executive experience in health care administration.

The chamber adopted several conference committee reports resolving differences with the House. The Senate voted to adopt the conference committee report on Senate Bill 68 by a roll call (32 yeas, 2 nays, 1 excused). The conference committee report on Senate Bill 91 was adopted by roll call (32 yeas, 3 nays). The report on Senate Bill 113 was adopted (31 yeas, 4 nays). The conference committee report on House Bill 12-18 was adopted by roll call (32 yeas, 3 nays). The Senate president declared each motion carried after the roll calls.

On the consent calendar the Senate confirmed three executive reappointments to the Board of Economic Development — Jeffrey Erickson (Lincoln County, Sioux Falls), Michael Lukin (Codington County, Watertown), and David Emery (Pennington County, Rapid City) — in a single vote that yielded 35 yays.

In open session the president read and signed a set of measures on the floor, as required by the Constitution. The items read and signed included Senate Bill 216 (property tax and school levy provisions), Senate Bill 73 (voter registration and driver license residency), Senate Bill 14 (appeal provisions related to agricultural production facilities), Senate Bill 6 (authorizing a loan from the South Dakota Housing Infrastructure Fund for school construction adjacent to a federal military installation), House Joint Resolution 5003 (proposing a constitutional amendment to require a 60% affirmative vote for constitutional amendments), House Bill 1264 (campaign finance disclosure on outstanding loan balances), House Bill 1256 (information required on nominating petitions or ballot question petitions), House Bill 1184 (amending deadlines for filing petitions to initiate a measure), House Bill 1130 (municipal and school district election dates), House Bill 1039 (teacher national board certification reimbursement programs), and House Bill 1005 (modifying Department of Social Services private home study payment requirements). The president said these titles were signed in open session in keeping with constitutional and chamber rules.

Senate leadership also announced the first reading of Senate Bill 220, an appropriation bill described in the reading as funding current expenses for state departments, institutions, interest on public debt and common schools. The President Pro Tem waived committee referral of Senate Bill 220 under Joint Rule 6(d)(1), as noted on the floor.

Earlier in the day the Senate adopted the journal and the Standing Committee on Joint Legislative Procedure’s calendar for the 101st legislative session. Senator Melhoff moved adoption of the calendar, and a roll call returned 35 yays. Melhoff also moved that when the Senate adjourned it would reconvene at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 13; that motion carried.

The Senate concluded its business and adjourned after the day’s votes and signings. Several senators spoke in favor of nominees and conference reports during the session; the proceedings included formal roll-call results for the items noted above.

Votes at a glance

- Griffin Peterson (Sully County) — Board of Regents — confirmed (35 yeas) - Miles K. Beacom (Lincoln County) — Board of Regents — confirmed (34 yeas, 1 nay) - James Dover (Minnehaha County) — Board of Technical Education — confirmed (35 yeas) - Consent calendar (Jeffrey Erickson, Michael Lukin, David Emery) — confirmed (35 yeas) - Conference committee adoptions: SB 68 — adopted (32 yeas, 2 nays, 1 excused); SB 91 — adopted (32 yeas, 3 nays); SB 113 — adopted (31 yeas, 4 nays); HB 12-18 — adopted (32 yeas, 3 nays) - Senate Bill 220 — first reading; committee referral waived under Joint Rule 6(d)(1)

What this means

Confirmations fill gubernatorial nominations to state boards that help oversee higher education and technical education; conference committee adoptions move bills toward final enactment after both chambers resolve differences. Signed bills listed on the floor are now formally enrolled as passed measures for executive action.