Requesting the attorney general file a lawsuit against the People's Republic of China and related parties to seek damages related to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Impact
Should HCR6008 pass into law, it would empower the South Dakota Attorney General to pursue legal action without needing further authorization from the Legislature. This could potentially streamline the state's initiative to seek accountability for the pandemic-related damages among its citizens. Moreover, the resolution also proposes the establishment of a South Dakota COVID-19 Victims Relief Fund, intended to distribute financial compensation, up to $250,000 per affected individual, for losses directly tied to the pandemic, such as medical expenses and business closures.
Summary
HCR6008 is a resolution introduced in the South Dakota Legislature requesting the Attorney General to file a lawsuit against the People's Republic of China and associated parties. The primary goal of the resolution is to seek damages related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a profound impact on the state's residents and economy. The bill aims to attribute the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to a gain-of-function research project purportedly conducted in a bioweapons laboratory in Wuhan, China. This accusation suggests a direct link between China's actions and the pandemic's repercussions.
Contention
HCR6008 has the potential to spark significant debate regarding the appropriateness and feasibility of holding a foreign government liable for the pandemic's global impact. Critics may argue that pursuing a lawsuit against China poses substantial diplomatic risks and raises questions about jurisdiction and enforceability of any resultant judgments. Proponents, however, would emphasize the principle of accountability, contending that the actions that led to the pandemic must not go unaddressed, particularly given the profound toll it has taken on public health and the state's economy.
Requesting the attorney general to file a lawsuit against the People's Republic of China and related parties to seek damages related to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Make an appropriation for the replacement of the Richmond Lake dam and spillway, for the general maintenance and repair of other state-owned dams, and to declare an emergency.
Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, clarifying that an individual must be a citizen of the United States to be eligible to vote.
Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, conditioning the requirement of expanded Medicaid on the level of federal medical assistance.