A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, To urge the adoption of a joint rule requiring the state Constitution to be read aloud on the floor of both houses each Legislative Session.

WHEREAS, the Constitution of South Dakota establishes the organization of the government and protects the rights of the citizens; and

WHEREAS, the Constitution is our employment contract with the people which outlines the duties, powers, and limits of the Legislature; and

WHEREAS, every elected official takes an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and of the State of South Dakota, and has a solemn duty to read, understand, and follow them faithfully; and

WHEREAS, the periodic reading of the Constitution of South Dakota is a convenient refresher for the legislators as well as an educational demonstration for the public:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives of the Ninety-Fifth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, the Senate concurring therein, that the Joint Legislature Procedure Committee is urged to adopt a joint rule at its next meeting in substantially the following form:

The Constitution of South Dakota shall be read aloud in its entirety once per legislative session, to be divided up into daily readings on no less than half of the legislative days. The presiding officer of each house shall select one or more members for the reading of the Constitution of South Dakota. During the reading, a quorum of members must be present, and order must be maintained at all times.