Legislative Session: Week 3



CLICK HERE for our LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION

The Capitol’s Law Library has become ‘My Office’ during this South Dakota 101st SD Legislative Session. A number of our Bills are still in the process of being fine-tuned so simply stay informed and follow our work at the Capitol by going to our website at …sdRightToLife.org…and then click on the ‘Legislative Information Tab’.

LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR: We are now halfway through our third week of Session leaving six and a half weeks to go. An oft-repeated saying among lawmakers in Pierre: "The good news is that South Dakota's legislative session lasts only nine weeks. The bad news is, it's the longest nine weeks of your life." Next key deadline on the legislative calendar: bill filing deadline on February 4. To date we have seen #290 Bills filed and some #20 Resolutions. Watch for these numbers to CLIMB and when they do…SDRTL will be watching!

SDRTL IS SUPPORTING: 

• House Concurrent Resolution 6002 - 'Honoring the life and achievements of the late Charlie Kirk'. This Resolution recently passed on the House Floor on a vote of 60 to 5 and on the Senate Floor on a vote of 31 to 2. 

• House Bill 1127 - “An Act to revise provisions related to birth centers and the practice of certified professional midwives at birth centers.” This bill will expand the mileage that a birth center can be from a birthing hospital to allow the rural, underserved communities to receive perinatal services, hopefully improving maternal mortality and infant mortality. It also enables Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) to supervise birth centers, a common practice across many other states. HB1127 will be heard soon in the House Health and Human Services Committee.

• House Bill 1153 - "An Act to protect certain rights of healthcare providers.” This bill will protect health care professionals and students whose strong pro-life views are important.  To be clear - This Med Act is a SHIELD…not a SWORD. 

Thank you for standing with us and praying for us as together we advocate and legislate for LIFE! 

Visit our SD Legislature website at https://sdlegislature.gov/.

WEDNESDAY MORNINGS: Catacomb Caucus Weekly Christian Service

Every Wednesday morning during Session a group of 30-40 men and women gather in the Governor's Large Conference Room for their 30-Minutes of Christian Fellowship. This group is led by Senator Carl Perry and is open to all Legislators, Lobbyists and Capitol Guests are all welcome at 7:00 a.m.

NOTE:  You will also find that each chamber (Senate and House) opens each day in Prayer. In addition to this….Senator and Pastor Greg Blanc (District 35) holds a Tuesday evening Bible Study which is open to all at the Pierre Community Bible Church at 7:00 p.m. 

The SD Legislative Session has a 'Volunteer Chaplain'. Jarvis Wipf is a resident from near Highmore, SD, who travels over to the Capitol to hold this 7:00 a.m. Bible Study on Tuesday mornings and then a repeat Legislator's Study on Wednesday evenings.

TUESDAY MORNINGS: The Upper Room Catholic Devotional Service

On Tuesday mornings in the UPPER ROOM of the Capitol you will find a devout group of Catholic Believers spending 30-Minutes in Prayer, Music and Devotion. All are invited and the coffee's always on at 7 a.m. On this particular morning they were greeted by Bishop DeGrood of Sioux Falls.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026

Contact: Tony Mangan, Communications Director, 605-773-6878

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces he will personally appear in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Thursday to argue that South Dakota state court, not New York federal court, should rule on whether Mayday Health’s advertisements in South Dakota are untruthful and deceptive including whether it has the right to advertise the sale of abortion pills in South Dakota that the State Legislature has banned.

 “It has long been the rule of law that federal courts must refrain from interfering with ongoing state court proceedings and to respect state sovereignty when there exists important state interests,” said Attorney General Jackley. “I respected state interests and state courts when I served as our United States Attorney, and as our Attorney General I will fight for our right to determine our own laws and to enforce them.”

 Attorney General Jackley in December issued a letter to Mayday Health that it cease and desist from engaging in deceptive advertising regarding the availability of abortion pills in South Dakota which is illegal. Attorney General Jackley also filed a motion in state court requiring Mayday Health stop its advertising that is either untruthful or contrary to South Dakota law. Mayday Health responded by filing an emergency temporary restraining order in New York U.S. Federal Court. The federal New York court ordered a full hearing scheduled for 5 p.m. CST Thursday in New York City.

 Attorney General Jackley has filed a brief in federal court based on the Younger abstention doctrine, which is a legal doctrine where the federal court defers to local state-court proceedings. The federal judge had invited both sides to file briefs based on the Younger doctrine. 

SDRTL is excited to welcome Dr. Pat Castle, Founder of LIFE Runners ministry, to lead our annual March for Life this year outside the state Capitol in Pierre. Dr. Castle will also be sharing a few words at our 53rd Annual Hour of Reflection.

LIFE Runners was born in 2008 and now has 293 Chapters worldwide, running for Christ!

To learn more about LIFE Runners, visit https://www.liferunners.org/.

January 27, 2026

By Lisa Bourne

Sarah has shared her story of Abortion Pill Reversal in different settings in hopes of raising awareness for the life-saving protocol.

The latest venue where she has given testimony to saving her son Isaiah after starting a chemical abortion was at the National March for Life Rally in Washington D.C.

Sarah joined other speakers and performers on the rally stage for the 53^rd March as abortion via abortion pill has by far topped surgical abortion as the most common method and the safety of chemical abortion drug mifepristone is the center of intense controversy.

Sarah began by telling the crowd she was living proof of this year’s March for Life theme; Life is a Gift.

“I know this because I have seen it, held it, and fight for it by protecting and caring for each of my four children,” she said.

Sarah recapped her story of feeling as though she had to choose abortion because the father of her fourth child was unsupportive of the pregnancy.

“My only choice was to schedule an abortion and pay them, so that’s what I did,” she said.

“It was a chemical abortion,” she said.

Before she was given the pills, one of the workers said something during the ultrasound that she will never forget.

One of our amazing SDRTL Chapters has stepped up to fully sponsor one young adult, age 18–25, to attend the National Right to Life Academy for one week this summer in Washington, D.C. This incredible academy offers intensive pro-life training led by foremost leaders in the movement, covering topics such as:

• abortion
• euthanasia
• stem cell research
• Planned Parenthood
• legislative strategy
• politics
• communication
• grassroots organizing
• IVF...and much more!

The cost per student is $2,500, which covers tuition for the Academy, one round-trip flight, a seven-night hotel stay, and meals. Our goal is to match this gift and send two outstanding young leaders from South Dakota to attend. If we exceed our goal, we will be able to sponsor additional students.

If you would like to help our Chapters make this opportunity possible, please donate using the link below. In the “In Honor” section, please enter “Academy.” Checks may also be mailed, with “Academy” noted in the memo line, to:

SDRTL

4001 W Valhalla Blvd, Ste 101

Sioux Falls, SD, 57106

If you or someone you know is interested in applying for the NRLC Academy, download the application here.

Thank you so much for investing in South Dakota's future pro-life leaders! We will keep you up to date on those chosen for this incredible opportunity.

You are cordially invited to attend this year’s Hour of Reflection, taking place in the Capitol Rotunda in Pierre, along with our annual March for Life. We are honored to welcome Jenna Spellerberg, RN, Nurse Manager at Alpha Center, as our keynote speaker. The program will also feature special music by Kate McKeehan.

Join us for this inspiring event at the South Dakota State Capitol on Sunday afternoon, February 1st, as we come together to advocate for the sanctity of life at all stages. The march around the Capitol will begin at noon, led by LIFE Runners Founder, Dr. Pat Castle, with the program following inside the Capitol at 2pm (CST). We look forward to your presence at this important gathering.

We are so thankful for your heart for moms, dads, and babies in SD. We love our partners!

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation, make your check out to "South Dakota Right to Life Education Fund," or give online at SDRighttoLife.org. Mail your donations to:

SDRTL

4001 W Valhalla Blvd, Ste 101

Sioux Falls, SD 57106