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South Dakota Legislature officially recognizes Captain Royce Williams for military service and combat bravery

Original title: recognizing Captain Royce Williams for his exemplary military service and bravery in combat.

Last action · February 17, 2026: CommemorationsSponsors: Tim Goodwin and 11 others

Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Proposed

The South Dakota Legislature officially recognizes retired Captain Royce Williams for his distinguished naval career and combat bravery, highlighting his historic 1952 aerial engagement.

Why it matters

Changes only the official legislative recognition of Captain Royce Williams; no state funding, operational changes, or statutory requirements are enacted.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Royce Williams

Receives official state legislative recognition for his military service.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does House Commemoration 8012 do?
It officially recognizes Captain Royce Williams for his exemplary military career and bravery in combat.
Does this commemoration appropriate any state funds or change state laws?
No, it is a non-binding legislative and does not appropriate funds or alter state laws or services.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · introduced in the House.

Procedural history

1 action
  1. Feb 17, 2026House
    Commemorations

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Connected Entities

Erik Muckey, South Dakota, Ernie Otten and 15 more
PersonErik Muckey“Representative cosponsoring the commemoration.”Map →
locationSouth Dakota“State whose legislature introduced the commemoration.”Map →
PersonErnie Otten“Senator cosponsoring the commemoration.”Map →
PersonEric Emery“Representative cosponsoring the commemoration.”Map →
PersonRoyce Williams“Captain Royce Williams, retired U.S. Navy aviator recognized by the commemoratio”Map →
locationNorth Korea“Location off whose coast Williams performed combat duty.”Map →
locationWilmot“Town near where Royce Williams was raised.”Map →
OrganizationUnited States Navy“Military branch where Royce Williams served.”Map →
PersonVan Diepen“Representative cosponsoring the commemoration.”Map →
PersonTaffy Howard“Senator cosponsoring the commemoration.”Map →
OrganizationUSS Oriskany“Aircraft carrier associated with Williams's combat mission.”Map →
PersonHeather Baxter“Representative cosponsoring the commemoration.”Map →
PersonHelene Duhamel“Senator cosponsoring the commemoration.”Map →
PersonCarl Perry“Senator cosponsoring the commemoration.”Map →
PersonTim Reed“Senator cosponsoring the commemoration.”Map →
PersonLarry Zikmund“Senator cosponsoring the commemoration.”Map →
PersonTim Goodwin“Representative introducing House Commemoration 8012.”Map →
PersonCurt Massie“Representative cosponsoring the commemoration.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

sdlegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance10
    Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 10)
  • Controversy0
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz10
    Current news / social attention level

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