PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — The Legislature’s investigative panel is taking a second run at requiring South Dakota Department of Revenue officials to meet with its members.
The Government Operations and Audit Committee has set a meeting for Thursday morning at the Capitol to discuss issuing new subpoenas.
Lawmakers are trying to learn what corrective steps the department is taking regarding criminal allegations of title fraud within the state Division of Motor Vehicles.
The committee had subpoenaed Secretary Michael Houdyshell and DMV director Rosa Yaeger to testify in closed session on December 11. But a state attorney representing them filed a motion to quash the subpoenas so that they wouldn’t have to appear. The committee’s chair, Republican Rep. Ernie Otten, then canceled the meeting and the subpoenas fight went away.
Otten said he would bring the matter back up. That time has now come.
State law requires that the Legislature’s Executive Board approve any subpoena sought by the committee.
The Executive Board has now set a meeting for Friday afternoon.
All of this comes amid major shake-ups at the state and federal levels.
Republican Governor Kristi Noem awaits confirmation from the U.S. Senate to serve as the new secretary of homeland security for the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden would become governor after Noem resigns.
The Legislature meanwhile starts a new term on January 1, with substantial changes in memberships coming in 2025 for both GOAC and Executive Board.
