Impeachment proceedings against Jason Ravnsborg headed to House State Affairs Committee

The South Dakota House has sent HR 7001, the impeachment of Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg, to committee for action.

The House Resolution was officially read onto the books at the start of Wednesday’s floor session.

House Speaker Spencer Gosch assigned the resolution to the House State Affairs Committee soon after. A hearing date has not yet been set.

The committee members are Republicans David Anderson, Arch Beal, Kirk Chaffee, Tim Goodwin, Spencer Gosch,  Jon Hansen, Keven Jensen,Chris Johnson, Kent Peterson, Rebecca Reimer, and Marli Wiese and Democrats Oren  Lesmeister, and Jamie Smith. Peterson is the committee chair.

 

The complete Articles of Impeachment:

 

2021 South Dakota Legislature

House Resolution 7001

Introduced by: Representative Mortenson

A RESOLUTION, Impeaching Jason Ravnsborg, Attorney General of the State of South Dakota, for certain crimes or misdemeanors in office.

WHEREAS, the Attorney General of the State of South Dakota is a state officer subject to impeachment pursuant to S.D. Const., Art. XVI, § 3; and

WHEREAS, the House of Representatives shall have the sole power of impeachment pursuant to S.D. Const., Art. XVI, § 1; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives of the Ninety-Sixth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that these Articles of Impeachment are adopted in the name of the People of South Dakota and of the South Dakota House of Representatives against Jason Ravnsborg, Attorney General of the State of South Dakota, in maintenance and support of its impeachment against him for crimes or misdemeanors in office.

Article I: Acts Causing the Death of Joseph Boever

Article XVI, § 3 of the South Dakota Constitution provides that the House of Representatives may impeach “state and judicial officers,” for “drunkenness, crimes, corrupt conduct, or malfeasance or misdemeanors in office.” Jason Ravnsborg committed crimes or misdemeanors in office causing the death of Joseph Boever, specifically:

(1) On the evening of September 12, 2020, Jason Ravnsborg failed to operate his vehicle within its proper lane, crossed outside such lane, and struck pedestrian and Highmore, South Dakota resident Joseph Boever. Mr. Boever died from injuries sustained from the collision; and

(2) Jason Ravnsborg has been charged by the Hyde County State’s Attorney with three separate crimes in connection with his driving on the night in question.

The Attorney General having a special obligation to the People and the Laws of the State of South Dakota, Jason Ravnsborg must be removed from such office for his crimes or misdemeanors in office causing the death of Joseph Boever.

Article II: Other Acts Following the Death of Joseph Boever

Article XVI, § 3 of the South Dakota Constitution provides that the House of Representatives may impeach “state and judicial officers,” for “drunkenness, crimes, corrupt conduct, or malfeasance or misdemeanors in office.” Jason Ravnsborg committed crimes or misdemeanors in office associated with the investigation following the death of Joseph Boever.

Following the collision, including during his reporting of the collision and the resulting investigation, Jason Ravnsborg undertook actions unbecoming the Attorney General. Jason Ravnsborg’s statements and actions failed to meet the standard of the Office of the Attorney General.

The Attorney General having a special obligation to the People and the Laws of the State of South Dakota, Jason Ravnsborg must be removed from such office for his crimes or misdemeanors in office following the death of Joseph Boever.

 

 

February 25, 2021