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State of South Dakota
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EIGHTY-SEVENTH SESSION
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, 2012
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916T0610
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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1010
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Introduced by: Representatives Hansen (Jon), Cronin, Dennert, Fargen, Feickert, Feinstein,
Gosch, Hunhoff (Bernie), Iron Cloud III, Killer, Kirschman, Lucas, Moser,
Rausch, Schrempp, Sigdestad, Street, Tornow, Wick, and Willadsen and
Senators Frerichs, Hansen (Tom), Haverly, Hundstad, Krebs, Lederman,
Maher, Nelson (Tom), Novstrup (Al), Peters, Rampelberg, Rhoden, and
Sutton
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A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, Urging Congress to adopt a proposed constitutional
amendment limiting federal legislation to a single subject.
WHEREAS, the United States of America, in two hundred thirty-five years since her
founding, and two hundred twenty-three years since the ratification of her Constitution, has
become a great nation; and
WHEREAS, to reach agreement amidst diversity, we must discover those ideas which unite
us; and
WHEREAS, to find what unites us, we cannot be distracted by what divides us and must be
permitted to agree on some things, while respectfully disagreeing on others; and
WHEREAS, if we must agree on everything to do anything, we will achieve nothing; and
WHEREAS, federal legislation has become increasingly complex, lengthy, and filled with
such disparate items, that the meaning and effects of proposed laws are difficult to discern,
detect, and discuss; and
WHEREAS, forty-three states have provisions in their constitutions that limit the scope of
legislation to one subject per bill; and
WHEREAS, while one-subject provisions have not resolved all differences and are not
perfect, they have made legislation more easily understood and more transparent; and
WHEREAS, these one-subject provisions have focused discussion and allowed legislators
from across the United States of America to unite when they agree, without being divided by
their differences; and
WHEREAS, while no one amendment or action will completely unite us or overcome all
our nation's challenges, all great achievements are begun with one step for America; and
WHEREAS, our founders understood that no one thing solves everything, and so strove not
for a perfect union but a more perfect union:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives of the Eighty-seventh Legislature of the State of South Dakota, the Senate concurring therein, that the
Congress of the United States of America be urged to adopt a proposed constitutional
amendment stating: "No law shall embrace more than one subject, which shall be expressed in
its title."