South Dakota Municipal League Proposed Statement of Policy The following are the policies as suggested by the four Policy Committees, which met August 17 and 18 in Ft. Pierre. During the Annual Conference, to be held October 4-7 in Rapid City, there will be several important steps taken before any of these policies become the official Statement of Policy of the Municipal League. First, the Policy Committees will meet again on Wednesday afternoon, October 5 to review these changes, and to consider any new information or suggestions from members. The Polices will then be submitted to the Resolutions Committee, which will meet on Thursday morning, October 6, and will recommend the final set of policies for a vote of the membership at the Annual Business Meeting on Friday, October 7. The Statement of Policy guides the League Staff and lobbyists during the legislative session and functions as a reference for the League’s position on various issues affecting local government.
General Government Committee
C.
The SDML supports clarifying signature requirements for nominating petitions, recall election petitions, initiative, and referendum. (GG – 2016)
D.
The SDML supports establishing a deadline for holding a recount. (GG – 2016)
E.
The SDML supports clarifying the initial election of officers in a newly incorporated municipality. (GG – 2016)
6.
The SDML supports establishing a deadline 90 days in advance of the annual municipal election for the submission of initiative or referendum petitions or petitions involving recall elections. (GG – 2011)
7.
The SDML supports clarifying the voting requirements for non-ordinance items in provisions of the aldermanic form of government
POLICIES MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES 1. The SDML supports an amendment to restrict or repeal the presumptions included in SDCL 9-1645 pertaining to circulatory or respiratory disease as “occupational” in firefighters, and opposes any amendment to expand the disease presumption regarding occupational diseases affecting volunteer and active paid firefighters. (GG – 2000; CB7) 2.
The SDML supports legislation authorizing municipal access to federal background checks for licensees. (GG – 2008; 2009)
3.
The SDML supports legislation to make municipal laws consistent as to the use of the term “finance officer” rather than “clerk/treasurer.” (GG – 2010)
GOVERNMENT ETHICS AND OPERATIONS 4. The SDML supports legislation that would exempt municipalities from the regulations of the unclaimed property laws. (GG – 2000; 12) 5.
The SDML supports amending SDCL 12-1-5 to include municipal election officials on the State Board of Elections. (GG – 2000; 13)
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