Using Your Membership: Engaging in the Chamber’s Public Policy Work
As a member of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, you already understand the value of being connected and well-informed. Your membership also gives you direct ways to engage with public policy—helping you stay ahead of legislation, communicate with elected officials and influence the decisions that shape our business climate. The Chamber offers several tools and opportunities that make it easy to get involved.
Use the Bill Tracker
Each legislative session, the Chamber maintains a Bill Tracker that monitors legislation affecting the business community. In 2024, lawmakers introduced 559 bills, and the Chamber reviewed all of them — ultimately actively tracking 106. Following the Tracker helps you understand which issues the Chamber is watching and why. When a bill touches your industry, you can contact Chamber staff to share your perspective or flag impacts they should consider. Consider designating an internal “advocacy lead” within your business to monitor alerts and keep leadership informed.
Review the Legislative Scorecard
The annual Legislative Scorecard provides a clear record of how Sioux Falls–area legislators voted on priority bills where the Chamber took a formal position. It’s not intended to judge lawmakers, but to give members factual insight into voting patterns on business-related issues. Reviewing it can help guide your outreach and prepare you for conversations with your elected officials.
Sign up for Chamber Advocate Emails
During session, the Chamber sends weekly Chamber Advocate emails with timely updates from Pierre. These summaries highlight key committee actions, major bill movements and emerging issues. Ensuring your team receives these updates helps your business stay prepared when quick engagement is needed.
Attend Policy-Related Events
Events offer a direct, accessible way to understand policy issues and connect with lawmakers. Sioux Falls Day at the Legislature brings members to Pierre to observe hearings, meet legislators and see the process firsthand. Closer to home, the Good Morning Sioux Falls Legislative Preview each January features a moderated discussion with Sioux Falls–area legislators about priorities for the upcoming session — a valuable option for members who can’t travel.
Use the Elected Officials Guide
The Elected Officials Guide, included in this issue and available online, lists local legislators with their contact information and committee assignments. Combined with the Legislative Scorecard, it provides a quick, useful overview of who represents you and how they’ve voted on key issues.
Follow the Legislative Platform and Policy Statements
The Chamber’s Legislative Platform and Policy Statements outline where the Chamber stands on issues such as workforce development, infrastructure, taxation and economic competitiveness. Reviewing these documents helps you understand advocacy priorities and identify areas where your business may want to provide input.
Share your Perspective and Stay Involved
Responding promptly to Chamber calls to action helps ensure the business community’s voice is heard when timing matters. Many members also share policy updates internally or bring colleagues to advocacy events to broaden engagement. After each session, member feedback plays an important role in shaping future policy priorities. And above all, we encourage members to vote in every election.
Why it Matters
Engaging in these ways ensures your business helps shape decisions that affect our region. The Chamber continually monitors and communicates key issues — from infrastructure funding and workforce housing to tax policy and economic development. Your involvement strengthens relationships between the business community and policymakers and contributes to a business climate that supports long-term growth for Sioux Falls.