Jett Jonelis
Advocacy Manager
They/she
Shortly after legislators passed House Bill 1217 last week, Gov. Noem tweeted that she was “excited to sign” the bill that would ban transgender women and girls from competing on athletic teams that match their gender identity.
But at a press conference just a few days later, she took a more cautious tone, stating that she’s still weighing the options.
Will she? Won’t she? It’s the million dollar question – quite literally, when you consider the economic impacts House Bill 1217 could have on South Dakota if signed into law.
The South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce have warned that the legislation could have ramifications on workforce recruitment, business relocation, tourism, and sports.
The ramifications of House Bill 1217 go far beyond economics, however. That’s why hundreds of counselors, faith leaders, doctors and medical students throughout the state – people who typically don’t get involved in politics – have signed on to letters calling for Noem to veto House Bill 1217.
