The South Dakota Senate is the upper house of the South Dakota Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of South Dakota. The lower house is the South Dakota House of Representatives. It consists of 35 members, one representing each legislative district, who can serve up to four consecutive two-year terms. It meets at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre.
South Dakota Senate | |
|---|---|
| South Dakota Legislature | |
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
Term limits | 4 terms (8 years) |
| History | |
New session started | January 14, 2025 |
| Leadership | |
President pro tempore | |
Majority Leader | |
Minority Leader | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 35 |
 | |
Political groups | Majority party
Minority party |
Length of term | 2 years |
| Authority | Article III, South Dakota Constitution |
| Salary | $12,850.80/session + $151 per legislative day[a][1] |
| Elections | |
Last election | November 5, 2024 (35 seats) |
Next election | November 3, 2026 (35 seats) |
| Redistricting | Legislative control |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| State Senate Chamber South Dakota State Capitol Pierre, South Dakota | |
| Website | |
| South Dakota State Legislature | |
Composition
edit- 99th Legislature (2025)
| Affiliation | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) |
Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Democratic | |||
| 92nd Legislature | 32 | 3 | 35 | |
| 98th Legislature | 31 | 4 | 35 | |
| 99th Legislature | 32 | 3 | 35 | |
| Latest voting share | 91% | 9% | ||
Officers
edit| Position | Name | Party | District |
|---|---|---|---|
| President Pro Tem of the Senate | Chris Karr | Republican | 11 |
| Majority Leader | Jim Mehlhaff | Republican | 24 |
| Assistant Majority Leader | Carl Perry | Republican | 34 |
| Majority Whips | Randy Deibert | Republican | 31 |
| Kevin Jensen | Republican | 16 | |
| Sue Peterson | Republican | 13 | |
| Tom Pischke | Republican | 25 | |
| Minority Leader | Liz Larson | Democratic | 10 |
| Assistant Minority Leader | Jamie Smith | Democratic | 15 |
| Minority Whip | None | N/A |
List of current senators
edit
Past composition of the Senate
editSee also
editNotes
edit- ↑ Legislative pay must be one-fifth of median household income of South Dakota
External links
editReferences
edit- ↑ "S.D. Legislators' salary raise strains budget". November 17, 2020.