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K-12 Education Issue Summary

Key Votes

Date	State	Bill No.	Title	Outcome
Jan. 26, 2026	South Dakota	SB 85	Requires Electorate Approval for a School District to Exceed Property Tax Limits	Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Feb. 10, 2025	South Dakota	SB 51	Requires Public Schools Display the 10 Commandments in Every Classroom	Bill Failed - House (31 - 37)
Jan. 28, 2025	South Dakota	SB 51	Requires Public Schools Display the 10 Commandments in Every Classroom	Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 24, 2020	South Dakota	HB 1175	Defines Dyslexia for Special Education and Other Related Services	Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
Feb. 12, 2019	South Dakota	HB 1108	Prohibits Gender Dysphoria Sex Education from Kindergarten through Grade 7	Bill Passed - House (39 - 30)

Date	No.	Title	Outcome
1/26	SB 85	Requires Electorate Approval for a School District to Exceed Property Tax Limits	Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
2/10	SB 51	Requires Public Schools Display the 10 Commandments in Every Classroom	Bill Failed - House (31 - 37)
1/28	SB 51	Requires Public Schools Display the 10 Commandments in Every Classroom	Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/24	HB 1175	Defines Dyslexia for Special Education and Other Related Services	Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
2/12	HB 1108	Prohibits Gender Dysphoria Sex Education from Kindergarten through Grade 7	Bill Passed - House (39 - 30)

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Public Statements

Date	Title	Politician
Sept. 8, 2023	Thune, Rounds Introduce Bill to Protect School Hunting, Archery Programs	Sen. John Thune
July 12, 2022	Tweet - "Thank you to these Brandon Valley Middle School students for all the great questions. Great to see SD students taking an interest in our government -- that's part of what builds future leaders."	Sen. John Thune
June 7, 2022	Tweet - "Met with students, parents, & teachers from Watertown & Elkton today and recognized Steve Olson on his last student trip to Washington after leading the trip for 32 years. Thanks to Steve & all the teachers/parents who help expand students' civics education outside the classroom"	Sen. John Thune
Jan. 25, 2022	Tweet: Stopped by @SFJeffersonHS to talk with students about my role as their U.S. senator, how our government works, and how they can be engaged citizens. Thank you to all the teachers and staff for their hard work to give these students a top-notch education.	Sen. John Thune
Jan. 21, 2022	Thune-Smith Bill to Provide Financial Stability to Federally Impacted School Districts Signed Into Law	Sen. John Thune

Date	Title	Politician
Sept. 8, 2023	Thune, Rounds Introduce Bill to Protect School Hunting, Archery Programs	Sen. John Thune
July 12, 2022	Tweet - "Thank you to these Brandon Valley Middle School students for all the great questions. Great to see SD students taking an interest in our government -- that's part of what builds future leaders."	Sen. John Thune
June 7, 2022	Tweet - "Met with students, parents, & teachers from Watertown & Elkton today and recognized Steve Olson on his last student trip to Washington after leading the trip for 32 years. Thanks to Steve & all the teachers/parents who help expand students' civics education outside the classroom"	Sen. John Thune
Jan. 25, 2022	Tweet: Stopped by @SFJeffersonHS to talk with students about my role as their U.S. senator, how our government works, and how they can be engaged citizens. Thank you to all the teachers and staff for their hard work to give these students a top-notch education.	Sen. John Thune
Jan. 21, 2022	Thune-Smith Bill to Provide Financial Stability to Federally Impacted School Districts Signed Into Law	Sen. John Thune

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Interest Group Ratings

Year(s)	Special Interest Group
2022	Family Heritage Alliance Action
2021	Americans for Prosperity - South Dakota

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Ballot Measures

Election Date	State	Title	Outcome
Nov. 6, 2012	South Dakota	Referred Law 16: An Education Reform Act to Establish a Teacher Scholarship Program; Create a Program for Math and Science Teacher Bonuses; Create a Program for Teacher Merit Bonuses; Mandate a Uniform Teacher and Principal Evaluation System; and Eliminate State Requirements for Teacher Tenure	Failed
Nov. 6, 2012	South Dakota	Initiative Measure 15: An Initiated Measure to Increase State General Sales and Use Taxes for Additional K-12 Public Education and Medicaid Funding	Failed

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