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AARP AARP States South Dakota Advocacy

South Dakota 2019 Legislative Update: Week Two

Though, we have just been in Pierre for 8 days so far, we are already nearly 25% done with the 2019 SD legislative session!

On Wednesday, AARP South Dakota testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in favor of Senate Bill (SB) 20 which updates certain provisions regarding consumer protection.

This bill is being brought by South Dakota’s new Attorney General, Jason Ravnsborg, to address consumer protections regarding door-to-door statutes.  Unfortunately, the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division has been dealing with unscrupulous door-to-door salespeople who circumvent current state statutes.  As an example, a consumer will text a salesperson within the allotted time to request a cancellation of a service only to be told by the salesperson that they must send their request via telegram. (This is allowed under current law but obviously isn’t an option anymore).  The provision in this statute needs to be changed to be in line with today’s technology.

We applaud Attorney General Ravnsborg for his leadership in addressing this issue and look forward to working with him on consumer protection, financial exploitation, fraud and many other issues during his term.

There are many newly elected officials and personnel in our state government this year.  As such, legislative committees are receiving important briefings from various state agencies and departments that are pertinent to their work.  For example, the House Health and Human Services Committee has 11 (of 13) new members and therefore, received briefings this week from the Department of Social Services and the Department of Human Services. (The Senate Health and Human Services Committee received similar presentations.)

Next week (beginning Tuesday, January 22) is expected to be a big week in Pierre. Governor Noem announced she will give her budget address to the legislature on Wednesday, January 23.  AARP South Dakota expects her budget to follow the priorities she outlined in the State of the State address.  Governor Noem’s budget address is another opportunity for her to lay out her agenda for the year and her priorities for her upcoming 4 year term.

You can also check back here each week for updates on any issue that may affect South Dakota’s 50+ population. Or – have our update delivered to your email inbox each week by emailing  sdaarp@aarp.org and asking to be added to our legislative advocate email list.