Bill > SB176

This bill clarifies and expands the powers of the Government Operations and Audit Committee (GOA), a legislative committee in South Dakota composed of ten members (five from the Senate and five from the House of Representatives). The bill modifies existing law to provide the committee with broader investigative capabilities, specifically enhancing its discovery procedures. The committee can now issue subpoenas for individuals and documents, take witness depositions, request document production, and use civil action-style discovery methods. Additionally, the committee can authorize one or more members or other individuals to conduct investigations on its behalf, using these expanded discovery procedures. The committee must still comply with state and federal confidentiality laws and any additional restrictions it imposes. The bill also allows the Legislative Research Council director to spend money from the legislative priority fund to support the committee's investigative work. The changes aim to strengthen the committee's ability to thoroughly review state government operations, fiscal affairs, and investigate potential issues in state departments, institutions, and agencies.

Government Affairs

https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/25833