South Dakota State Legislature

South Dakota State Legislature
Type
Type	Bicameral
Houses	Senate House of Representatives
Leadership
President Pro Tem of the Senate	Brock Greenfield (R) Since January 10, 2017
Speaker of the House	Mark Mickelson (R) Since January 10, 2017
Structure
Seats	105 voting members: 35 Senators 70 Representatives
Senate political groups	Republican (27)      Democratic (8)
House political groups	Republican (58)      Democratic (12)
Elections
Senate last election	November 8, 2016
House last election	November 6, 2018
Meeting place
South Dakota State Capitol, Pierre
Website
http://legis.sd.gov/

     Republican (27)

     Republican (58)

The South Dakota State Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of South Dakota. It is a bicameral legislative body, consisting of the South Dakota Senate, which has 35 members, and the South Dakota House of Representatives, which has 70 members. The two houses are similar in most respects; the Senate alone holds the right to confirm gubernatorial appointments to certain offices. In addition, the Senate votes by roll call vote, whereas the larger house uses an electronic voting system.

The Legislature meets at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre. It begins its annual session of the second Tuesday of January each year. The legislative session lasts 40 working days in odd-numbered years, and 35 days working days in even numbered years. Though, in recent years, the Legislature has completed its work in 38 working days in both even numbered years as well as odd numbered years. Generally, the legislature meets for four out of every five business days each week until the session ends, excepting on last day which is delayed to allow for consideration of gubernatorial vetoes. This schedule enables legislators to have one working day each week at home in their districts to meet with constituents as well as to tend to other personal matters. In addition, the legislature occasionally meets on Saturdays to make-up for recesses on holidays such as Presidents' Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.