SB 71, House of Representatives – Do Pass (2026): Yeas 61, Nays 6, Excused 3, Absent 0

The South Dakota House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 71 on February 23, 2026, with a vote of 61 yeas and 6 nays, authorizing the assumption of certain responsibilities and the waiver of sovereign immunity in connection with actions under federal environmental law.

The bill, which had previously passed the Senate on January 26, 2026, by a vote of 32 yeas and 2 nays, advanced through the legislative process with committee approvals in both chambers. It received a unanimous recommendation from the House Transportation Committee on February 19, 2026, with 11 yeas and 0 nays, before being considered by the full House.

Senate Bill 71 was signed by the Speaker of the House on February 24, 2026, and by the President of the Senate on the same day. It was delivered to the Governor on February 26, 2026, and signed into law on March 4, 2026.

The legislation enables the state to assume specific responsibilities related to federal environmental regulations and waives sovereign immunity for certain actions taken under those laws, allowing for greater state involvement in environmental enforcement and compliance matters.

The vote in the House included recorded excusals for three representatives, while no absences were reported. The final tally reflected broad bipartisan support for the measure, which had undergone multiple readings and committee reviews since its introduction in January 2026.

Senate Bill 71 is part of South Dakota’s 2026 Regular Session legislative agenda and is cataloged under SD SB71 in legislative tracking systems. It addresses procedural and legal frameworks for state engagement with federal environmental programs.