PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) — First thing to keep in mind is this is a proposed amendment to the articles of impeachment, which will first require the approval of the House State Affairs Committee.
If approved, this is a sea change for the impeachment proceedings.
It will all but end the process until after the criminal proceedings are concluded in Hyde County. The criminal process is only at the charging stage and has not been calendared for the first initial hearing.
This amendment does not require the House to take up proceedings even after the Hyde County proceedings are finished: “the House of Representative MAY evaluate whether an article of impeachment . . . . are necessary and proceed accordingly.”
Last para: Legislature would need to convene a special session – requires 2/3 majority in both chambers to agree to take up impeachment. This is a very high hurdle.
It’s unlikely this amendment will not be adopted given that Majority Leader Peterson and Minority Leader Smith are both quoted in this release. They were co-prime on the original Mortenson resolution but now appear to have changed directions.
This is a very strong play and signals that the House does not wish to proceed given Judge Brown’s ruling last week.
(Patrick Callahan covers the South Dakota Legislature for KELO.com News through the South Dakota Broadcasters Association.)
