SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The Senate State Affairs Committee approved a measure that revises the initiated and referendum process.
Senator Jim Bolin of Canton amended the bill to call for a panel of South Dakotans to address initiated measures, referendum issues and constitutional amendments.
The measure's sponsor, Representative David Lust, says the legislature may have jumped the gun with too many bills. Lust says there are 8 to 12 bills already in play dealing with the subject. Lust agrees that a task force is needed to study the issue.
Lust says the panel should be broad-based, one that represents a cross-section of South Dakota and will study the issues in a more deliberate fashion.
When asked by committee member Senator Billie Sutton why he wants to dive into this issue with a citizen panel, Lust said he's not sure there is a problem, but other policy makers are concerned.
Lust says he views the bill as a way to tap the brakes, step back and examine some of the proposals coming through this session and do a broad based review of the process. He thinks that approach is more responsible than the haphazard approach of entertaining the different proposed changes that are coming through the legislature.
Sutton appreciated the explanation but questioned the makeup of the blue ribbon panel. He said it appears only two democrats will be on the panel and that doesn't "reflect the makeup of our state. Especially the importance of Democrats and Independents to have a voice in assuring that the process doesn't bar them from having an opportunity from having their voice heard."
Lusts says he in no way envisions there being any ideological markers regarding the makeup of task force members.
Sutton introduced an amendment that said that no more than seven people serving on the task force could be from the same party. The amendment was defeated.
A final do pass motion was approved on a 5 to 2 vote and House Bill 1141 will go to the Senate floor.