See you there! Big thanks to Clint Hoyer for reaching out. Join us for a good conversation. We're all here together, let's always remember that.

Dear friends and neighbors of District 4, Governor Rhoden signing my HB1189 We now have only four days remaining in this legislative session. The clock is ticking, and with it comes a clear and weighty reminder of the heavy responsibility we carry. We are not here to chase applause or headlines, but to voluntarily shoulder the burden of bringing genuine order and practical results to the people we serve. I’m pleased to share real progress on the issues that matter most to our

Fun with Grok! Rural Renewal or Ruin: A Firm Call to Action from Rep. Kent Roe's Weekly Update and District 4's School Struggles By Rep. Kent Roe, South Dakota House of Representatives, District 4 February 27, 2026 Friends and Neighbors in District 4, Let's confront the realities of governance with unflinching resolve, because ignoring them won't make them go away. This week in Pierre, Crossover Day on February 24 put our commitment to truth and responsibility to the test,

Rep. Kent Roe (District 4) – Complete Legislative Record February 8–20, 2026 (101st South Dakota Legislative Session) I had 100% attendance with no excuses or absences. This record is compiled directly from official House Journals, committee minutes, and bill status pages on sdlegislature.gov as of February 27, 2026. February 8, 2026 No legislative activity (Sunday). House floor: No contested House floor roll calls recorded in the official House Journal. February 9, 202

Hello District 4 friends and neighbors, It's been a couple of weeks since my last update, and I appreciate your patience as the 2026 legislative session continues to move forward here in Pierre. As of today, February 13, we're well into the heart of the session, with plenty of activity on key bills and priorities that impact our communities. A key focus for me has been HB 1005 , the data center sales and use tax exemption bill. It was assigned to the House State Affairs Commi

A Dispatch from the Arena - The Fight Over HB 1005 The bill I brought forward – HB 1005 – got deferred to the 41st day in State Affairs. It’s straight-up tax policy, but it landed in the wrong committee and took a hit. Still, huge thanks to everyone who showed up to testify, whether you backed it or pushed back. Some of you drove hours in winter weather to have your say. That’s the real deal – regular people stepping into the ring, speaking plain truth face-to-face. That roo

Smokeout Rules in the South Dakota House of Representatives The "smokeout" (sometimes written as "smoke-out") is a procedural tool unique to the South Dakota Legislature, governed by Joint Rule 7-7 (applicable to both the House and Senate). Purpose- It allows members to force a bill or resolution out of committee and onto the full chamber floor for debate and voting, even if the committee has not advanced it or has effectively killed it (e.g., by tabling, indefinite postpone

Voting Record Summary Representative Kent Roe (District 4, Republican) South Dakota House of Representatives February 2 – February 6, 2026 101st Legislative Session This is an unofficial summary compiled for personal reference from official House Journals and committee minutes available at mylrc.sdlegislature.gov . For any official or public use, please consult the primary sources directly. ### February 2, 2026 (13th Legislative Day) – Floor Votes | Bill/Motion | Prime

Weekly Update Week 3 2026 Session- excerpted from correspondence to local newspapers. BTW- please subscribe to your local newspaper. Our small towns are important and these folks play a very important role. They also provide a grounded voice by sticking their necks out and putting their names on what they do. There is a reason their work is considered the "pulse of the community". So I feel a little guilty publishing here what I also sent them. Thankfully their reach is much

My Legislative Weekly Update Week Ending January 25, 2026 From Rep. Kent Roe (District 4, Hayti) – House Taxation & Transportation Committees District 4 & fellow South Dakotans, The 2026 session is moving fast here in Pierre, and property tax relief continues to be the issue everyone is talking about. As your representative and a member of both the House Taxation Committee and the House Transportation Committee, I’ve been right in the middle of the early discussions. Here’s m

Capitol & Annex view from the Southeast Hello District 4, We kicked off the  101 st  legislative session on Tuesday. The Governor delivered his state of the state address. The rest of the day was spent in meetings with constituents and other legislators. Wednesday we heard from the Supreme Court and the Tribes. Wednesday night I attended the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems dinner and social event. It's rewarding to know these rural water systems are paying att

Why HB 1005 is a Strategic Win for South Dakota: Rebutting the Critics with Facts Opposition to House Bill 1005 often portrays it as an unchecked boon for Big Tech that could strain energy and water resources while burdening everyday ratepayers. In reality, the bill incorporates strong, multi-layered safeguard, bolstered by South Dakota's established regulatory bodies, to prevent those risks. KELO: South Dakota bill proposes tax break for data centers  This makes HB 1005 a pr

Greetings, District 4, We are preparing for the 2026 South Dakota legislative session. It begins with the Governor’s State of the State at 1:00 p.m. on January 13. District 4 has had an active off-season. Applied Digital is proceeding with a data center near Astoria/Toronto. The company and others have conducted meetings nearly continuously since April, including site tours. I have attended or hosted over 17 public meetings on this topic. Your involvement is key to shaping ou

Rural Water National Conference in New Orleans September 1 I was part of a group of 20 legislators that penned a letter to the people of...

It's been a busy August Fortune has provided plenty to do. August 4th I hosted another data center legislative meeting on-line along with...

July 28, 1945 – This Date in SDNG History – B-25 Bomber Flown by SDANG Pilot from Sioux Falls Army Airfield Crashes into Empire State...

Hello D4 constituents, It’s been a busy time over Independence Day! My work on data center legislation continues. I’m working with stake...

Data centers are generating a lot of conversation. Mostly positive conversation. I am 58 years old, and I remember a time when new...

Hello District 4 voters, & anyone else reading this. While I'm not a Shakespearean, I find his writings fun and challenging. I recently...

I took this kid with me yesterday. Seems like I take him everywhere. Good kid. We went to Ellendale ND yesterday to tour the Applied...