No committee assignments for Frye-Mueller for remainder of session

Censured Republican Senator Julie Frye-Mueller of Rapid City will likely remain banned from committee assignments this legislative session.

The Republican Senate leadership last month stripped her of her committee appointments following a harassment complaint filed by a female Legislative Research Council staffer.

Frye-Mueller was suspended from the Senate for a week until a special committee heard the matter last week.

The committee and full Senate voted to reinstate Frye-Mueller but censured her and limited her access to legislative staff.

Republican Senate President Pro Tem Lee Schoenbeck of Watertown sets committee assignments. He tells the South Dakota Broadcasters Association that things in the Capitol are working well without her serving on committees. He says there is no reason to change the arrangement.

Sen. Frye-Mueller can still vote on the floor and introduce bills.

February 10, 2023