(South Dakota News Watch) South Dakota’s maximum legislative session length of 40 days is among the shortest in the United States.
The state’s constitution mandates that the legislative session start on the second Tuesday in January with a maximum of 40 working legislative days, though some sessions have fewer days. This year’s session, which starts Jan. 13 and is the 100th overall, is scheduled to last 38 days.
Wyoming’s session is also among the shortest – 40 days in odd years and 20 in even years for the budget. North Dakota meets for 80 days every other year, and Alabama convenes for 30 days.
Fourteen states, including South Dakota, have part-time legislatures, where members spend less than half of a full-time job in session. North Dakota, Wyoming and Montana are among these states. Ten states, including Wisconsin, have full-time legislatures.
After two consecutive sessions in 1890, South Dakota’s legislature met every other year until 1964.
