The 2008 Session of the South Dakota Legislature opens Tuesday, January 8, with DEHS business attorney David L. Knudson resuming his position as Senate majority leader.
This year’s 35-day session is slightly different than in the past. Most weeks, legislators will meet for only four days, allowing them more opportunity to return to their home districts during the session. The session is scheduled to conclude its regular business on February 29 with March 17 set for the Legislature to consider any gubernatorial vetoes. Education funding, budget issues and local government control are a few of the significant issues anticipated to be addressed during the session.
In addition to his leadership position, Knudson also serves as vice-chair of the Senate’s Education and Judiciary committees. Knudson, who joined the law firm in 1975, is completing his third consecutive two-year term in the Senate after being first elected in 2002. He represents District 14, which encompasses most of eastern Sioux Falls. Prior to serving in the Legislature, Knudson served as chief of staff for then-Gov. William Janklow in 1995 and 1999.
The Legislative Research Council has a large variety of online information on the 2008 session, including committee agendas and floor calendars, lists of legislators with contact information, status of individual bills, and audio of committee meetings and floor sessions.