Requesting the attorney general to file a lawsuit against the People's Republic of China and related parties to seek damages related to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
HCR6009 is a concurrent resolution that asks the South Dakota attorney general to file, join, and cooperate in lawsuits against the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party, and a Wuhan military laboratory, seeking $100 billion in compensatory and punitive damages related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution asserts that SARS-CoV-2 originated from gain-of-function research in Wuhan and that the pandemic caused deaths, illness, business losses, and strain on healthcare systems and the public in South Dakota.
The resolution also directs the attorney general to establish a South Dakota COVID-19 Victims Relief Fund to distribute any recovered damages to South Dakota residents and families affected by the pandemic. Under the proposal, eligible claimants could receive compensation for death, sickness, medical costs, business closures, lost income, and other financial hardship, up to $250,000 per impacted person, subject to documented proof of losses directly attributable to COVID-19.
Because this is a concurrent resolution rather than a statutory bill, it would not directly amend the South Dakota Codified Laws. Instead, it would express the Legislature’s request that the attorney general pursue litigation and, if successful, create a state-administered relief fund for distributing recovered damages. Its practical effect would depend entirely on executive action, litigation outcomes, and any future legislation needed to authorize or structure a compensation program.
The voting history suggests the resolution drew meaningful support but also substantial opposition. It passed an early House committee vote and a House floor vote, then advanced through a Senate committee, but the final Senate concurrence vote was tied 17-17, indicating a sharply divided chamber. Overall, the sentiment appears mixed to skeptical, with enough support to advance the measure but not enough consensus to secure clear final approval in the Senate.
The main points of contention are the resolution’s factual premise, its target, and its litigation strategy. Supporters appear to view the measure as a way to seek accountability and compensation for pandemic-related harms, while opponents likely object to the claim that the Chinese government and related entities are legally responsible for COVID-19, the feasibility of recovering $100 billion, and the propriety of directing the attorney general to pursue such litigation. The proposed relief fund and per-person compensation cap also raise questions about administration, eligibility, and whether the state should commit resources to a lawsuit with uncertain prospects.