March 23, 2026

Gov. Larry Rhoden signed three bills Friday aimed at reinforcing what his administration calls South Dakota’s core values, including HB 1184, which formally defines “man” and “woman” in state law.

Officials note that HB 1184 aligns with a prior executive order issued by former President Donald Trump that recognized male and female as the only two sexes.

Rhoden also signed three pro-life bills into law, including HB 1274, which stops illegal abortion pills from killing South Dakota babies and harming South Dakota moms. As well as:

With Friday’s signings, Gov. Rhoden has approved 196 bills and issued one veto during the current legislative session.

Gov. Larry Rhoden signed three bills reinforcing South Dakota's core values, including HB 1184, which legally defines "man" and "woman" to align with a previous Trump-era executive order recognizing only two sexes, and three pro-life laws, such as HB 1274 aimed at banning illegal abortion pills to protect unborn children and mothers. With these actions, Rhoden has approved 196 bills and issued one veto this legislative session.

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