South Dakota governor kills transgender bill, but orders ban

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota bill that would have banned transgender women and girls from female sports was effectively vetoed by Gov. Kristi Noem, but she quickly issued executive orders to enact a limited ban.

The legislature failed to override the Governor’s veto of the measure, issued on “style and form” grounds.

Noem’s partial veto of the bill riled GOP lawmakers and tarnished the Republican governor’s status among social conservatives. Shortly after the bill died, the governor, who has emerged as a prominent national figure in the GOP, issued two executive orders that Republican lawmakers said amounted to an effort to salvage her reputation with conservatives.

Transgender advocates say the efforts would deprive transgender children of a chance to belong to sports teams.

March 30, 2021