Lieutenant governor can break tie in Senate, state Supreme Court says

By: John Hult

Outlets: South Dakota Searchlight

Published: February 18, 2026

Words: 340

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

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The lieutenant governor in South Dakota has the authority to break a tie vote in the state Senate, the South Dakota Supreme Court said Wednesday.

The ruling comes one day after Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen opted not to break a tie on a bill meant to make a temporary sales tax reduction permanent. The tie vote meant the bill was defeated, but the Senate could opt to reconsider it.

Gov. Larry Rhoden had …

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