Lawmakers advance stricter controls on state economic development board and fund

Lawmakers advance stricter controls on state economic development board and fund

Rep. Karla Lems, R-Canton, listens to a committee hearing on Jan. 23, 2026, at the South Dakota Capitol in Pierre. Her bill to impose tighter conflict-of-interest controls on the state Board of Economic Development is advancing in the Legislature. (Photo by Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)The state’s economic development board could be subjected to tighter conflict-of-interest requirements if a bill responding to South Dakota Searchlight…