Dan Ahlers

Was the prime sponsor of HB 1076 (2018), which let townships use a property tax levy to pay for emergency medical services. The governor signed it.

February 22, 2018Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the prime sponsor of HB 1148 (2017), which proposed restarting the South Dakota risk pool for people who lost prior health coverage. The House Appropriations Committee tabled it 10-3.

February 16, 2017Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Voted yes on HB 1240 (2009), a ban on smoking in many public places, including bars and restaurants. It passed the Senate 21-14.

March 4, 2009Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the prime sponsor of HB 1296 (2008), which proposed tax benefits for community-owned renewable energy projects. A House committee killed it.

January 29, 2008Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the prime sponsor of HB 1134 (2007), which proposed requiring booster seats for certain young children in cars. A House committee killed it 7-6.

January 25, 2007Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the prime sponsor of HB 1153 (2018), which proposed workplace protections for pregnant and breastfeeding workers. A House committee killed it 9-3.

February 5, 2018Supports Labor Rights

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the prime sponsor of SB 121 (2018) in the House, which proposed barring employers from seeking or using job applicants' past salary. A Senate committee killed it 6-1.

February 1, 2018Supports Labor Rights

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the prime sponsor of SB 96 (2017) in the House, which proposed requiring employers to offer a minimum amount of paid sick leave. A Senate committee killed it 6-2.

February 6, 2017Supports Labor Rights

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Voted yes on SB 171 (2017), which created a legislative task force to study campaign finance and government accountability. It passed the House 54-12.

March 7, 2017Supports Anti-Corruption

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Voted no on HB 1069 (2017), which repealed Initiated Measure 22, the ethics and campaign finance law voters approved in 2016. It passed the House 54-13.

January 24, 2017Supports Anti-Corruption

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the prime sponsor of HB 1076 (2018), which let townships use a property tax levy to pay for emergency medical services. The governor signed it.

February 22, 2018Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the Senate prime sponsor of HB 1096 (2009), which proposed a temporary cut in legislators' pay. A House committee killed it 10-2.

February 2, 2009Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the prime sponsor of SB 142 (2009), which proposed limits on legislators' travel and expense payments. A Senate committee killed it 6-3.

February 2, 2009Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the prime sponsor of HCR 1011 (2018), which asked Congress to let the VA pay daily assisted living costs for eligible veterans. Both chambers adopted it without a no vote.

February 22, 2018Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the prime sponsor of HB 1155 (2018), which set rules for the language development of deaf and hard-of-hearing students. It passed the Senate 34-0, and the governor signed it.

March 9, 2018Supports Public Education Quality

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the prime sponsor of HB 1128 (2018), which proposed requiring school districts to put most new state school aid toward teacher pay raises. It failed in the House 32-34.

February 22, 2018Supports Public Education Quality

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the prime sponsor of SB 121 (2010), which directed the Department of Education to promote programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Gov. Mike Rounds vetoed it; the Senate voted 30-4 to override, but the House fell short 33-34.

March 29, 2010Supports Public Education Quality

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the prime sponsor of SB 164 (2010), which proposed having the Board of Regents plan a community college system. A Senate committee killed it 7-0.

February 4, 2010Supports Public Education Quality

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the prime sponsor of HB 1242 (2008), which directed the state to adopt an education policy for deaf and hard-of-hearing children that recognized sign language. Gov. Mike Rounds vetoed it, and a House override failed 45-24.

March 17, 2008Supports Public Education Quality

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Voted no on SB 89 (2010), which declared guns and ammunition made and kept in South Dakota exempt from federal regulation. It passed the Senate 29-4.

February 18, 2010Supports Gun Control

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Voted yes on SB 70 (2009), which repealed the 48-hour waiting period to buy a pistol. It passed the Senate 34-0.

January 28, 2009Opposes Gun Control

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Voted yes on HB 1261 (2008), which barred public colleges from restricting guns carried lawfully under state law. It passed the House 63-3.

February 4, 2008Opposes Gun Control

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Voted no on SB 110 (2018), which added legislative findings and rules about counseling before an abortion. It passed the House 56-9.

February 26, 2018Supports Women's Reproductive Rights

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Voted yes on HB 1101 (2017), which raised the penalty for performing an abortion after the point when the unborn child can feel pain. It passed the House 58-8.

February 14, 2017Opposes Women's Reproductive Rights

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Voted no on HB 1293 (2007), a bill to ban most abortions and send the ban to a statewide vote. It passed the House 45-25.

February 14, 2007Supports Women's Reproductive Rights

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Voted no on HB 1296 (2007), which required abortion facilities to offer an ultrasound to pregnant women in some cases. It passed the House 43-24.

February 5, 2007Supports Women's Reproductive Rights

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the House prime sponsor of SB 76 (2018), which directed the Department of Tribal Relations to help with election grants and satellite voting centers on reservations. The governor signed it.

March 26, 2018Supports Civil Rights

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the prime sponsor of HB 1077 (2018), which updated death penalty law to use the term "intellectual disability" and revised sentencing for people with that disability convicted of murder. The governor signed it.

March 5, 2018Supports Civil Rights

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the prime sponsor of SB 136 (2018) in the House, which proposed allowing driver license tests in other languages. A Senate committee killed it 5-1.

February 5, 2018Supports Civil Rights

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the Senate prime sponsor of HB 1146 (2010), which proposed regulating commercial dog breeding operations. A House committee killed it.

February 9, 2010Supports Corporate Accountability

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Received former President Joe Biden's endorsement for the 2026 governor's race.

June 8, 2026

Source: drgnews.com · researched September 24, 2026

As state Democratic Party executive director, publicly opposed Amendment H, the 2024 open-primary ballot measure. He said it made all-Republican general elections more likely.

August 8, 2024

Source: southdakotasearchlight.com · researched September 24, 2026

Was rehired as executive director of the South Dakota Democratic Party in October 2023, after resigning from the job earlier that year over disagreements with the party chair.

October 18, 2023

Source: sdpb.org · researched September 24, 2026

Stepped down as president of the Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce in February 2021 after more than 12 years with the chamber.

February 21, 2021

Source: bigsiouxmedia.com · researched September 24, 2026

Was a prime sponsor of SB 189 (2018), which proposed shrinking the Legislature by cutting the number of districts and lawmakers. A Senate committee tabled it 7-0.

February 21, 2018

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Voted no on HB 1007 (2018), which required each citizen-initiated ballot measure to cover only one subject. It passed the House 57-9.

February 14, 2018

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the prime sponsor of SJR 5 (2010), a proposed constitutional amendment on legislative approval of state budget transfers. The Senate rejected it 14-18.

February 23, 2010

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the prime sponsor of SB 141 (2009), which set rules for where certain wind turbine towers can be placed. It passed 34-0 and 62-5, and the governor signed it.

March 12, 2009

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Was the prime sponsor of HB 1165 (2008), which proposed barring more than trace amounts of mercury in certain vaccines. A House committee killed it 9-2.

February 11, 2008

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Voted yes on HB 1005 (2008), which taxed farmland based on the income it can produce instead of its sale value. It passed the House 45-22.

January 31, 2008

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026

Served as a Democratic state representative for District 25 (Dell Rapids area) in 2007-2008 and 2017-2018, and as a state senator in 2009-2010.

January 9, 2007

Source: sdlegislature.gov · researched September 24, 2026