Noem, Jackley and legislative leaders ask Supreme Court for opinion on state contracts

Lawmakers can't benefit directly or indirectly per Constitution

Gov. Kristi Noem is asking the South Dakota Supreme Court to clarify what contracts are and are not permissible for state lawmakers to have under state law.

In a series of letters obtained by The Dakota Scout, Noem and legislative leaders asked the Supreme Court to determine what exactly would constitute an indirect or direct conflict of interest, based on the court’s interpretation of the law. 

The focus of contention falls to Article III, Section 12 of the state Constitution which prevents “any member of the Legislature during the term for which he shall have been elected, or within one year thereafter” from having a contract with the state or a county.

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