Taffy Howard
Born
1968
Contact
Email · Taffy.Howard@sdlegislature.gov
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68
Bills sponsored
this session · 382 all-time
0
Bills co-sponsored
this session · 0 all-time
—
Enacted into law
counting…
3303
Recorded votes
94%
Vote participation
voted in 94% of 3303 recorded votes
Voting scorecard
71 session · computed from recorded roll-call votes
Party unity
83%
based on 420 votes
Votes with own party's majority
Independence
17%
based on 420 votes
Votes against own party's majority
Participation
97.9%
based on 420 votes
Roll calls where a yes/no was cast
Sponsored (introduced)
382 billsCurrent session 68 bills
- SC 822 honoring TKO’s Custom Catering and Capitol Cafe for outstanding service. Introduced
- SB 93 prohibit certain state officers or employees from being employed by an organization that was the recipient of a contract awarded on behalf of a state agency for a period of time. In Committee
- SB 156 modify the crime of cruelty to an animal and increase the penalty therefor. Passed
- SB 191 remove the authorization to issue grants as part of a tax increment financing district. In Committee
- SB 109 modify requirements to create a tax increment financing district. In Committee
- SB 130 make an appropriation for roadway and related infrastructure improvements required because of construction activity at Ellsworth Air Force Base and to declare an emergency. Signed
- SB 164 require that any holder of a commercial driver license in this state must be proficient in the English language, and to provide a penalty therefor. Signed
- HC 8012 recognizing Captain Royce Williams for his exemplary military service and bravery in combat. Introduced
- SB 199 establish a new fund to provide property tax relief. Failed
- HB 1286 amend the process by which moneys are distributed from the employer's investment in South Dakota's future fund. Signed
- SB 207 require a vote to approve the creation of certain tax increment financing districts. In Committee
- HB 1064 provide for the sale of producer-raised meat and meat food products directly to consumers pending legalization under federal law. Signed
- SJR 505 proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, limiting the assessed value of real property and limiting real property taxes. In Committee
- SB 81 clarify the prohibition on injuring or harassing a service animal. Signed
- HB 1056 require that the Department of Social Services submit a federal waiver request to exclude soft drinks from the supplemental nutrition assistance program. Signed
- HB 1090 require publication of notices of gubernatorial appointments and reappointments. In Committee
- HB 1117 modify provisions of a report required by the Governor's Office of Economic Development on certain awards and grants. In Committee
- SB 3 limit the types of residential improvements for which counties, municipalities, and townships may require a permit. Signed
- HB 1125 create a taskforce to study the impact of artificial intelligence systems on the state. In Committee
- SB 1 amend the process by which moneys are distributed from the employer's investment in South Dakota's future fund. In Committee
- SB 82 prohibit the misrepresentation of an animal as a service animal and to provide a penalty therefor. Signed
- HCR 6006 urging this state's congressional delegation to end foreign aid programs pending control of the United States debt situation. Introduced
- SB 107 add licensed and registered child care programs to the definition of community safety zone. Signed
- SB 232 impose a one-year moratorium on the construction or expansion of hyperscale data centers. In Committee
- HB 1103 require that annual withdrawal of groundwater from any groundwater source may not exceed the annual recharge of water to the groundwater source. In Committee
Historical 314 bills
- SB 68 require an individual be a citizen of the United States before being eligible to vote and to provide a penalty therefor. Signed
- SJR 505 Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, establishing the trust for unclaimed property fund. Signed
- HJR 5002 Applying to the United States Congress under Article V of the United States Constitution to call for a convention for proposing an amendment to the constitution establishing congressional term limits. Signed
- SJR 501 Providing legislative approval for a future use water permit application by the Western Dakota Regional Water System. Signed
- HB 1063 revise the provisions for preparing a fiscal note for ballot questions. Signed
- HB 1061 prohibit a health care provider from restricting or denying a parent or guardian's access to certain medical records and other health information of a minor. Signed
- HCR 6010 Encouraging the Executive Board of the Legislative Research Council to establish an interim legislative committee on preserving and protecting the Black Hills of South Dakota. Died
- SB 6 authorize a loan from the South Dakota housing infrastructure fund to a school district adjoining a federal military installation for the construction or expansion of a school building. Signed
- HB 1218 address the imposition of firearm restrictions on certain employees, officers, volunteers, and other individuals. Signed
- HB 1138 reduce a maximum property tax mill levy on owner-occupied single-family dwellings for school district general funds, and to repeal certain sales tax exemptions. Died
- HB 1205 require legislative approval of real property leases that are necessary for the operation of state government and exceed specified durations or rental payments. Died
- SB 191 limit annual valuation increases on owner-occupied single-family dwellings and provide an exception for mill rate limitations on taxing districts. Died
- HB 1119 limit annual valuation increases on owner-occupied single-family dwellings and nonagricultural property. Died
- SB 183 establish requirements that state agencies must follow when applying for federal grants. Died
- HB 1166 enhance penalties for the violation of right-to-work statutes and to provide a penalty therefor. Died
- SB 122 restrict the deference given by courts to a state agency's interpretation of a state statute, administrative rule, or policy. Died
- SB 169 require a public hearing prior to a vote to impose an excess tax levy. Died
- SB 141 distinguish between new construction and improvements to existing structures for purposes of calculating increases in revenue payable from property taxes. Died
- SB 142 revise the dates for submission of budget requests. Died
- SB 145 require legislative approval of real property leases that are necessary for the operation of state government and exceed specified durations or rental payments. Signed
- SCR 602 Celebrating the sister-state relationship with Taiwan. Died
- SB 155 reduce the amount of net receipts of unclaimed property deposited into the general fund. Signed
- HB 1141 provide an exception for employers to acquire and distribute opioid antagonists that are available over the counter. Signed
- SB 85 provide property tax relief to certain senior owners of owner-occupied single-family dwellings. Died
- HB 1125 create a share the road bicyclist safety emblem for use on an emblem specialty plate. Signed
Voting record
Current session 50 votes
| Bill | Vote | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
|
HB 1326
appropriate money for the ordinary expenses of the legislative, judicial, and executive departments of the state, the current expenses of state institutions, interest on the public debt, and common schools.
Do Pass |
Nay | pass | March 11, 2026 |
|
SB 78
revise the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026.
Do Pass Amended |
Nay | pass | March 11, 2026 |
|
HB 1051
revise property tax levies for school districts and to revise the state aid to general and special education formulas.
Do Pass Amended |
Yea | pass | March 11, 2026 |
|
HB 1139
appropriate money for the ordinary expenses of the legislative, judicial, and executive departments of the state, the current expenses of state institutions, interest on the public debt, and common schools.
Tabled |
Yea | pass | March 11, 2026 |
|
HB 1200
make an appropriation for victim services provided by nonprofit organizations.
Do Pass Amended |
Nay | pass | February 26, 2026 |
|
SB 69
make an appropriation for the purchase of a new Division of Highway Patrol airplane and mission equipment and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Yea | pass | February 26, 2026 |
|
HB 1073
provide for the creation of a cardiac emergency plan in every school and to make an appropriation therefor.
Do Pass |
Not Voting | fail | February 26, 2026 |
|
HB 1202
authorize the construction of a trades center on the campus of Lake Area Technical College, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass Amended |
Nay | pass | February 26, 2026 |
|
SB 206
make an appropriation to contract for a study on the length of service award programs for volunteers.
Tabled |
Yea | pass | February 26, 2026 |
|
SB 217
make an appropriation for a fire management officer position within the Department of Public Safety.
Tabled |
Not Voting | pass | February 26, 2026 |
|
HB 1213
make an appropriation for a statewide educator retention initiative.
Tabled |
Yea | pass | February 26, 2026 |
|
SB 37
make appropriations for water and environmental purposes and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Yea | pass | February 26, 2026 |
|
SB 136
make an appropriation for grants to support the purchase of personal protective equipment by volunteer fire departments and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Yea | pass | February 26, 2026 |
|
HB 1073
provide for the creation of a cardiac emergency plan in every school and to make an appropriation therefor.
Deferred to the 41st legislative day |
Not Voting | pass | February 26, 2026 |
|
SB 174
make an appropriation to defray the operational costs of school districts.
Tabled |
Yea | pass | February 26, 2026 |
|
HB 1204
create the South Dakota school construction fund, provide for the transfer of moneys to the fund, and make an appropriation therefor.
Tabled |
Nay | pass | February 26, 2026 |
|
HB 1086
make an appropriation for providing a grant to a nonprofit that delivers programming to support offenders and correctional staff.
Do Pass |
Nay | pass | February 26, 2026 |
|
SB 79
make an appropriation to the South Dakota Board of Technical Education to construct an advanced manufacturing laboratory space and classrooms on the campus of Southeast Technical College and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Not Voting | pass | February 26, 2026 |
|
SB 213
create the building opportunity through out-of-school time program and the building opportunity through out-of-school time program fund, authorize a new fee, make an appropriation therefor, and transfer moneys to the building opportunity through out-of-school time program fund.
Tabled |
Yea | pass | February 25, 2026 |
|
HB 1150
make an appropriation to increase the rate of payment for federally qualified health centers.
Tabled |
Yea | pass | February 25, 2026 |
|
SB 231
create the water infrastructure development fund, to provide an appropriation, to provide for the awarding of grants and loans from the fund for certain rural water projects and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Not Voting | pass | February 25, 2026 |
|
HB 1262
make an appropriation for a non-residential, school-based, therapeutic services facility in Brown County and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Not Voting | pass | February 25, 2026 |
|
HB 1293
make an appropriation for increasing the benefit amounts of the temporary assistance for needy families program, and to declare an emergency.
Tabled |
Yea | pass | February 25, 2026 |
|
HB 1048
make an appropriation for the expansion of broadband infrastructure and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Not Voting | pass | February 25, 2026 |
|
HB 1147
make an appropriation for the purchase and distribution of food by a statewide distribution organization.
Tabled |
Not Voting | pass | February 25, 2026 |
|
HB 1261
provide a tax credit for owner-occupied property, to make an appropriation therefor, and to transfer moneys to the general fund.
Do Pass Amended |
Yea | pass | February 25, 2026 |
|
SB 240
make an appropriation for county rural access infrastructure and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Yea | pass | February 24, 2026 |
|
SB 220
authorize a comprehensive study of juvenile correctional and residential facilities, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Not Voting | pass | February 24, 2026 |
|
SB 130
make an appropriation for roadway and related infrastructure improvements required because of construction activity at Ellsworth Air Force Base and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Yea | pass | February 24, 2026 |
|
HB 1244
repeal the special donations fund and make an appropriation to the Department of Education for the provision of a grant to support the Jobs for America's Graduates-South Dakota program.
Do Pass |
Nay | pass | February 24, 2026 |
|
HB 1072
provide an appropriation for a payment for state employee salaries.
Tabled |
Yea | pass | February 19, 2026 |
|
SB 20
make an appropriation for tax refunds for elderly persons and persons with a disability, and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Nay | pass | February 11, 2026 |
|
SB 55
make an appropriation for the payment of extraordinary litigation expenses and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Yea | pass | February 11, 2026 |
|
HB 1043
make an appropriation to reimburse health care professionals who have complied with the requirements for rural recruitment assistance programs, and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Yea | pass | February 09, 2026 |
|
SB 117
make an appropriation for the design and construction of a new soccer venue at South Dakota State University and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Yea | pass | February 09, 2026 |
|
SB 116
make an appropriation for the design and construction of an indoor athletics facility at Dakota State University and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass Amended |
Yea | pass | February 09, 2026 |
|
HB 1118
make an appropriation for the design and construction of an addition to the existing swine wean-to-finish barn at South Dakota State University and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Yea | pass | February 09, 2026 |
|
HB 1041
authorize the expansion and renovation of the Sturgis Readiness Center, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Yea | pass | February 09, 2026 |
|
SB 67
make an appropriation for costs related to emergencies and disasters impacting the state and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Yea | pass | February 09, 2026 |
|
SB 68
make an appropriation for costs related to the suppression of wildfires impacting the state and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Yea | pass | February 09, 2026 |
|
HB 1137
make an appropriation for the design and construction of an athletic facility at the University of South Dakota and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Yea | pass | February 09, 2026 |
|
HB 1046
authorize the Department of Corrections to demolish the Pierre Minimum Center, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Yea | pass | February 09, 2026 |
|
SB 225
apportion interest earnings from the unclaimed property trust fund to school districts.
Referred to |
Yea | pass | February 06, 2026 |
|
SB 102
modify the distribution of gaming revenues.
Referred to |
Yea | pass | February 06, 2026 |
|
HB 1021
authorize the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources to dismantle and demolish buildings on the South Dakota State Fairgrounds, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Yea | pass | January 26, 2026 |
|
HB 1042
authorize the construction of a National Guard vehicle maintenance shop in Sturgis, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Yea | pass | January 26, 2026 |
|
HB 1047
make an appropriation for the construction costs at the Blue Dog State Fish Hatchery, and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass |
Not Voting | pass | January 26, 2026 |
|
SB 39
revise provisions relating to industrial hemp.
Do Pass |
Yea | pass | January 23, 2026 |
|
HB 1044
make an appropriation to implement the rural health transformation program, and to declare an emergency.
Motion to amend |
Nay | pass | January 22, 2026 |
|
HB 1044
make an appropriation to implement the rural health transformation program, and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass Amended |
Nay | pass | January 22, 2026 |