Daniel Ahlers in SD legislative records

On Abortion: Oppose requiring counseling at anti-abortion crisis center

Legislative Summary: Senate Bill 110: establish pre-abortion counseling practices by abortion providers [including] mandatory third-party pre-abortion counseling.

Analysis by Dakota News Now: "Planned Parenthood has failed in their obligation to provide accurate information and counseling to these women," said a sponsor of SB110. The law requires women to decide whether or not they would like counseling from the nonprofit before having an abortion.

Argument against, in Deseret News: Planned Parenthood MN/ND/SD, which operates South Dakota's only abortion clinic in Sioux Falls, disagrees. "The stated mission of a crisis pregnancy center is to dissuade a woman from seeking abortion care," [an activist] said.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 27-8-0 on Feb/6/18; Passed House 56-9-0 on Feb/26/18; State Rep. Daniel Ahlers voted NO; Signed by Governor Dennis Daugaard on Mar/7/18

Source: Deseret News & A.P. on South Dakota voting record SB 110 Feb 26, 2018

On Crime: Require mental health evaluations in jails within 21 days

Legislative Summary: House Bill 1183: To provide and revise certain provisions regarding mental health procedures in criminal justice.

Analysis by ACLU-SD: One bill worth noting is HB 1183--a bill tackling some of the state's major issues relating to the treatment of mental health in the criminal justice system. This bill made many much-needed changes to the system in South Dakota, including one the ACLU of South Dakota deemed critically important. Previously, South Dakota left people languishing in jails awaiting mental health services. The new law requires mental health competency evaluations to be completed within 21 days of the court's order. This step brings South Dakota closer to creating a truly fair criminal justice system.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 50-17-3 on Feb/23/17; State Rep. Daniel Ahlers voted YES; Passed Senate 32-3-0 on Mar/1/17; Signed by Governor Dennis Daugaard on Mar/27/17.

Source: ACLU-SD roundup on South Dakota voting record HB 1183 Feb 23, 2017

On Education: Improve educational services for deaf children

Ahlers listed his legislative accomplishments as helping to balance the state's budget while serving on the Appropriations Committee, improving funding for schools, increasing Medicaid reimbursements to critical need service providers, helping fund the new State Veteran's Cemetery and establishing an advisory council to improve the delivery of educational services for children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Source: Argus-Leader on South Dakota legislative voting records Sep 26, 2019

On Families & Children: Don't allow LGBTQ discrimination by foster/adoption agencies

Legislative Summary: Senate Bill 149: To provide certain protections to faith-based or religious child-placement agencies.

Analysis by HRC and ACLU: HRC joined the ACLU of South Dakota in urging Governor Dennis Daugaard to veto Senate Bill (SB) 149 -- discriminatory legislation targeting LGBTQ people and other minorities. SB 149 would enshrine taxpayer-funded discrimination into state law by allowing state-funded adoption and foster care agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ youth in their care and to reject qualified prospective LGBTQ adoptive or foster parents based on the agency's purported religious beliefs.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 43-30-7 on Mar/2/17; State Rep. Daniel Ahlers voted NO; Passed Senate 27-8-0 on Mar/7/17; Signed by Governor Dennis Daugaard on Mar/27/17

Source: HRC and ACLU on South Dakota voting record SB 149 Mar 2, 2017

On Gun Control: Vetoed allowing concealed carry of guns at state capitol

Legislative Summary: House Bill 1156: To allow a concealed pistol in the Capitol with an enhanced concealed pistol permit.

Analysis by Sioux City Argus-Leader: The state Supreme Court chambers would be excluded and anyone who wanted to carry would need to register with Capitol security 24 hours beforehand. The bill's sponsor said the bill is aimed at ensuring security in the Statehouse by allowing those who've taken a handgun training and undergone an FBI background check.

Veto Message : The law enforcement officers who protect our Capitol building have specialized training which is repeated on a regular basis. In contrast, South Dakotans who hold an enhanced concealed pistol permit were required to undertake approximately 8 hours of instruction, just once.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 19-15-1 on 3/6/17; Vetoed by Gov. Daugaard 3/27/17; House Sustained Veto 42-27 on 3/27/17; Rep. Ahlers voted NO on veto override.

Source: Sioux City Argus-Leader on South Dakota voting record HB1156 Mar 27, 2017

On Homeland Security: Helped fund the new State Veteran's Cemetery

Ahlers listed his legislative accomplishments as helping to balance the state's budget while serving on the Appropriations Committee, improving funding for schools, increasing Medicaid reimbursements to critical need service providers, and helping fund the new State Veteran's Cemetery. He has received the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development and Henry Toll fellowships for state government leaders through the Council of State Governments. Source: Argus-Leader on South Dakota legislative voting records Sep 26, 2019

The above quotations are from Legislative voting records for South Dakota House and Senate. Click here for other excerpts from Legislative voting records for South Dakota House and Senate. Click here for other excerpts by Daniel Ahlers. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Oct 26, 2026