Panel recommends sending constitutional amendment to voters to remove lieutenant governor as Senate presiding officer

The House State Affairs Committee recommended SJR508, a joint resolution asking voters to amend the state constitution to remove the lieutenant governor as the Senate’s presiding officer and let the Senate elect its own president.

Sen. Steve Kolbeck, sponsor of the resolution, and Sen. Chris Carr argued the change would strengthen separation of powers and reduce opportunities for procedural gamesmanship in a 35-member Senate where the lieutenant governor — now selected by the governor candidate rather than the party convention — can cast tie-breaking votes. Carr warned the current structure can allow the executive branch to exercise decisive influence over a district whose senator is absent.

Opponents, including a historian and the executive director of the South Dakota Retailers Association, urged caution. They noted the constitutional language dates to statehood (1889), that prior attempts to change the provision have failed, and that adding more ballot measures risks voter fatigue. The National Lieutenant Governors Association cautioned that removing a constitutional duty from the office without adding duties could reduce the office’s utility.

Committee members debated the merits and timing; after discussion the committee adopted a due-pass recommendation and SJR508 will go to the ballot if the Legislature approves it through the constitutional amendment process.