Legislation: First set of bills up for discussion
Volante staffers attended two days of the legislative session last week and compiled a list of South Dakota legislation to keep an eye on for the next two months.
The 2013 South Dakota state legislature began its session in early January and is currently in session. The following bills are significant to the University of South Dakota and could potentially impact its students.
House Bill 1012
House Bill 1012 would adjust the eligibility of students who would be able to receive in-state resident tuition benefits at SD universities controlled by the Board of Regents. The bill would grant resident tuitions for any citizen who graduates from any SD high school, citizens who reside in SD at the time of graduation, and unemancipated persons under the age of 24 whose legal guardians reside in South Dakota.
House Bill 1198
This bill would amend the monetary allotment portions for those who receive the SD Opportunity Scholarship. The bill would allow scholarship recipients who acquire an undergraduate within three full years of attendance and successively enroll in an SD institution for a graduate program to receive the remaining funds. Introduced to the House on January 25, the bill is currently being referred to the House Education Committee.
Senate Bill 132
Senate Bill 132 would grant limited immunity from arrest and prosecution in a court of law for certain alcohol consumption related offenses. The bill would apply to persons assisting a person(s) in need of medical emergency assistance or who themselves need medical emergency assistance. Submitted to S.D. state legislature many times in previous years, the bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Senate Bill 8
Senate Bill 8 would authorize the S.D. Building Authority and the Board of Regents to finance, design, construct, furnish and equip a new sports arena and an outdoor track and soccer complex at the University of South Dakota. The bill has been referred to the Senate Appropriations subcommittee for further review, but is expected to pass both the Senate and House of Representatives.
