South Dakota House backs consultation principles, rejects mandated meetings with tribal leaders

South Dakota lawmakers advanced a bill recognizing principles for tribal consultation but rejected a proposal to require quarterly meetings between state officials and tribal leaders, according to South Dakota Searchlight. House Bill 1232, sponsored by Rep. Peri Pourier, D-Rapid City and a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, states that agencies should recognize accountability, cooperation and early communication with tribes when developing programs affecting tribal members, though language requiring documentation of those principles was removed before a 12-0 committee vote.

A separate measure, House Bill 1190, would have established a tribal consultation commission to meet four times a year; it failed 8-4. Algin Young, secretary of the state Department of Tribal Relations, testified that “you can’t legislate relationships,” according to South Dakota Searchlight. Another bill, House Bill 1175, cleared the House Judiciary Committee to expand tribal access to criminal background check information.