Senate Bill 51 failed to receive a majority in the House on Feb. 10 after extended debate over whether public schools should display the Ten Commandments and include related instruction in social studies curricula.

Representative Carla J. Baxter, sponsor for the measure on the floor, argued the Ten Commandments have historical influence on U.S. law and public symbols and said the bill’s language is written to accept private donations to cover display costs. Baxter said the measure would require a modest display in classrooms and “kids will be taught 1 time in elementary, 1 time in middle school, 1 time in high school,” using age‑appropriate language and curricular placement in civics or history.

Supporters framed the measure as historical instruction, not sectarian teaching. Representative Jensen urged colleagues to read the bill and noted the instruction is limited to history/civics and age‑appropriate treatment. Representative Hughes and Representative Manhart argued for a green vote, saying the Ten Commandments are historically foundational and similar measures have passed in other states.

Opponents raised constitutional and practical concerns. Representative Mortensen said the bill “goes o for 3” against his tests of common sense, the constitution and constituents; he argued the measure exceeds historical posting and adds curriculum mandates that raise constitutional issues under the South Dakota Bill of Rights. Representative Weems and Representative Mulder, both Christian lawmakers, said the issue should be advanced by churches and families rather than enacted as a statewide classroom mandate; Mulder said posting the Ten Commandments in each classroom risks sidelining the church’s mission and could be incomplete without doctrinal context.

Representative May offered Amendment 51M to limit display to a “prominent location within each public school in the district” (as opposed to every classroom); the amendment passed. After final debate and the roll call, the clerk announced ayes 31, nays 37, excused 1; Senate Bill 51 as amended failed to receive a majority and was declared lost.

Floor debate included questions about who would control curriculum (Representative May said the Department of Education sets curriculum), whether the measure would expose students to certain terms at young ages, and whether private donors and out‑of‑state organizations were funding efforts to advance similar laws elsewhere.