What is GOAC per SDCL 2-6-2? There shall be appointed at each regular session of the Legislature a Government Operations and Audit Committee of ten, consisting of five members of the Senate appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be a member of the Judiciary Committee, and five members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the house, one of whom shall be a member of the Judiciary Committee, for the purpose of inquiry and review of any phase of the operations and the fiscal affairs of any department, institution, board, or agency of the state, to review any findings of abuse or neglect in a juvenile corrections facility, to make a continuing study of the operation of the state’s correctional system, and to make a detailed report to the Senate and House of Representatives and submit a copy of its report to the appropriation committee of each house of the Legislature at the next succeeding session of the Legislature or any special session of the Legislature upon request of the body. https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/2-6-4
What is the role of GOAC per SDCL 2-6-4?The Government Operations and Audit Committee may examine all records and vouchers, summon witnesses by request or by issuing a subpoena, and thoroughly examine all expenditures and the general management of each department of state government. The Government Operations and Audit Committee may issue a subpoena for the person, documents, or both and use the procedure provided in chapter 21-34 to enforce its subpoena when the subject of the subpoena refuses to comply with the command to appear and testify before the committee. However, no subpoena may be issued until the decision to issue a subpoena by the Government Operations and Audit Committee has been ratified by the Executive Board of the Legislative Research Council. https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/2-6-4
The Government Operations and Audit Committee has its roots back to the South Dakota Code in 1939, § 55.0610. https://www.sdpropertyrightslocalcontrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GOAC-pg-666.pdf
During the 2025 Legislative Session, SDCL 2-6-4 was amended to give the legislative branch full subpoena authority when SB 176 was signed into law. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/25833
In the past, GOAC has not been able to provide checks and balances for the people of SD. This will improve transparency in the government. Looking forward to GOAC in action.