South Dakota 2022 Legislative Session: Week Two Update

The pace in Pierre is picking up! Here’s what you need to know from week two in the legislature:

On Tuesday, AARP South Dakota testified in support of Senate Bill 69, a bill that would create a new system where you can update your voter registration information online. With our support, the bill passed through the Senate State Affairs Committee unanimously—and now moves to the Senate floor.

While this bill does not allow South Dakotans to register online, if passed, a person currently registered (who has a valid driver license or nondriver ID card) could securely and safely make changes to their voter registration forms on a site managed by the Secretary of State.

AARP South Dakota will keep fighting to make registering to vote as fair, simple, and readily accessible as possible. We have long encouraged the state to establish a convenient online system to maximize voter registration, and we urge the legislature to pass SB 69 to do so.

In addition, AARP South Dakota testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday in support of Senate Bill 79, a bill that clarifies cross-references regarding powers of Attorney.

When seniors get to a point where they may need help making vital decisions, they may need a legal guardian—a family member, friend, or paid professional appointed by the court—to make financial decisions for them. AARP is fighting to protect South Dakota’s vulnerable seniors who rely on guardians and others,

If passed, SB 79 would clean up key definitions in the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (UPOAA), which AARP fought hard to pass in 2020, to help family caregivers and others who serve as guardians carry out their duties within the letter of the law—and in the best interest of the person they care for.

Having passed the committee unanimously with our support, this bill will advance to the Senate Floor for consideration.

You can get in on the action, too! AARP South Dakota will host a virtual Lobby Day on January 25, 2022, featuring special guest speaker, former Secretary of Health, Kim Malsam-Rysdon, for a conversation about health priorities in our state.

Registration is required for this free, virtual event. We hope you will join us.

Keep reading each week to learn about these issues and more during the 2022 South Dakota legislative session.

We invite you to reach out to our Director of Advocacy if you have any questions or ideas: Erik Nelson | 605-350-6348 | @enelsonaarp