Search Bills

authorize a public body to conduct certain deliberations in an executive or closed meeting.

HB1048 expands the types of discussions that public bodies in South Dakota can hold in private closed meetings by adding new permitted topics, such as deliberations related to security matters, litigation strategy, or other sensitive subjects beyond what current law allows. This gives government boards and agencies more flexibility to keep certain sensitive discussions confidential rather than holding them in open public meetings. The bill narrows the scope of what must be discussed in public, though it does not change the requirement that final decisions and votes still occur publicly.

revise certain programs regarding transparency of the petition circulation process.

# HB 1094 Summary HB 1094 requires organizations collecting signatures for ballot measures and initiated laws to publicly disclose information about their petition circulation efforts, including details about who is paid to gather signatures and how much they're paid. This transparency requirement applies to the groups running these campaigns, letting voters know who's funding signature-gathering operations and how the money is being spent. The bill updates South Dakota's rules to make the petition process more open to public scrutiny.

revise provisions regarding reports of crime statistics.

# HB 1194 Summary HB 1194 updates South Dakota's crime statistics reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies. The bill revises what data must be collected and submitted to the state, likely modernizing reporting procedures to align with current federal crime data standards and improving the accuracy and completeness of crime statistics available to the public.

require the posting of contact information for persons serving on a board of township supervisors.

HB1200 requires townships to publicly post the contact information for their board of supervisors so residents can easily reach out to them. This makes township government more accessible by ensuring contact details like phone numbers or addresses are available to the public, rather than keeping them private or hard to find.

provide for the disclosure of certain documents and records of public officials.

# HB 1244 Summary HB 1244 requires public officials to disclose certain documents and records that were previously kept private, making more of their work available for public inspection. The bill specifies which types of records must be released and likely establishes timelines and procedures for how officials should respond to disclosure requests. This increases transparency in state government by expanding what citizens can access about their elected representatives' activities and decisions.

require certain legislative meetings to be open to the public.

# SB108 Summary This bill requires certain legislative committee meetings and other legislative proceedings that were previously closed to the public to be open for public attendance and observation. The specific meetings affected and any exceptions to the open-meeting requirement would depend on the bill's detailed provisions, but the core change is expanding public access to legislative decision-making processes in South Dakota.

provide that certain information contained within applications for money lending licenses are public records.

SB113 makes certain information from money lending license applications public records that were previously kept confidential. Citizens and the public will now be able to access details about who is applying to lend money in South Dakota, though the bill likely protects some sensitive information like trade secrets or personal financial data. This increases transparency in the money lending industry while balancing privacy concerns.

provide for calculations of sales tax revenues from sellers located outside of the state.

SB 160 requires the state to calculate and report how much sales tax revenue comes from out-of-state sellers, helping lawmakers understand the revenue impact of online and remote sales. This change gives South Dakota better data on whether it's collecting the sales taxes it's owed from companies selling to residents from outside the state.

provide for reporting of hours worked by certain constitutional officers and their employees.

SB161 requires South Dakota's constitutional officers—the governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state auditor, and state treasurer—to report the hours worked by themselves and their employees to the state legislature. This creates a new transparency requirement so lawmakers can track how time is being spent in these key state offices.

revise certain provisions regarding public records.

This bill prohibits state agencies and local governments from keeping settlement agreements secret when they pay money to settle lawsuits, requiring instead that these agreements be public records that citizens can see. Courts can still redact the names of crime victims from these agreements to protect their privacy. The bill essentially makes it illegal for the government to hide the terms of settlements behind confidentiality clauses.

provide for a statewide resource information system.

SB8 creates a new statewide resource information system that will collect and share data about social services and assistance programs available to South Dakota residents. This system will help individuals and organizations find relevant resources more easily by centralizing information that is currently scattered across different state agencies and programs.

repeal provisions regarding certain disclosures on campaign communications.

HB1097 removes requirements that campaign communications (like ads and mailings) must include certain disclosure statements identifying who paid for them. This simplifies campaign advertising rules by eliminating these mandatory transparency disclosures that candidates and political groups previously had to include on their materials.

revise provisions regarding the posting of county and municipality ordinances.

HB1215 updates where and how counties and municipalities must publish their local ordinances, likely modernizing requirements that were written for a print-based world. The bill probably allows or requires posting ordinances on government websites in addition to (or instead of) traditional physical posting locations, making local laws more accessible to residents who search online.

revise provisions regarding certain tax rates.

HB 1265 revises which state agencies and officials can access confidential tax return information from the Department of Revenue. The bill expands disclosure permissions to include the director of the Legislative Research Council and clarifies the specific purposes and conditions under which various state agencies, law enforcement, and gaming officials can request and receive taxpayer information.

provide for the adoption of privacy protection policies.

Nonprofit corporations in South Dakota must now adopt and publicly share a privacy protection policy before requesting anyone's Social Security number, detailing how they will secure and protect that information. The policy must be given to employees, posted on the organization's website and at its physical location, and made available in printed form upon request. The state will provide sample policies to help nonprofits comply with this new requirement.

revise provisions regarding certain financial interest statements filed by persons elected to state or local office.

SB 90 changes the rules for financial disclosure statements that elected officials must file by removing or reducing certain filing requirements for state and local officeholders. The bill streamlines which officials need to report their financial interests and what information they must include in these public documents. This revision aims to reduce the administrative burden on elected officials while maintaining transparency about potential conflicts of interest.

establish the duty to collect data and share information on missing and murdered indigenous persons.

HB1237 requires law enforcement agencies in South Dakota to collect and report data on missing and murdered Indigenous persons to a centralized state database. This new requirement aims to improve tracking and coordination across agencies to help solve cases and identify patterns affecting Indigenous communities, addressing a long-standing gap in how these cases have been documented and investigated.

provide for state employee protection from retaliation for certain communications.

SB 148 protects South Dakota state employees from being fired or punished for reporting illegal activities, ethics violations, or unsafe working conditions to their supervisors or government agencies. The bill establishes that state employees cannot face retaliation—such as demotion, pay cuts, or termination—for making these protected reports in good faith. This creates a new legal safeguard for whistleblowers working in state government.

revise certain provisions regarding open meeting requirements.

# SB91 Summary SB91 revises South Dakota's open meeting laws by modifying which meetings public bodies must hold in public and what notice requirements apply. Without access to the specific amendments in this bill, I cannot detail the exact changes—for instance, whether it expands or narrows which meetings must be open, changes how much advance notice is required, or creates new exceptions to the open meeting requirement. To provide an accurate summary, I would need to review the bill's specific language and amendments to existing statute.

require the Department of Social Services to collect and report certain information regarding the military affiliation of a parent whose child is subject to a report of abuse or neglect.

HB1043 requires the Department of Social Services to track and report whether a parent involved in child abuse or neglect cases has military affiliation. The department will collect this demographic information and include it in their annual reporting to help identify any patterns related to military families.

revise certain provisions regarding the notice given to county commissioners for special sessions.

HB1052 changes how county commissioners must be notified about special meetings, making the notice requirements less strict or more flexible than current law requires. The bill adjusts the timing, method, or content of notices that must be given to commissioners when a special session is called instead of a regularly scheduled meeting.

provide a privilege for journalists and newscasters regarding refusal to disclose information.

HB1074 creates a legal protection that allows journalists and newscasters to refuse to disclose their sources or unpublished information in court proceedings, similar to the attorney-client privilege. This new "journalist's privilege" shields reporters from being forced to reveal confidential sources unless a court determines the information is essential to a case and cannot be obtained any other way.

revise certain provisions regarding campaign finance disclosure reports.

# HB1092 Summary HB1092 modifies South Dakota's campaign finance disclosure requirements by revising when and how candidates and political committees must report their contributions and spending. The bill adjusts the timing and detail of these public disclosure reports, making changes to existing rules about how campaign money information is filed with the state.

provide for the use of certain confidential information by the director of the Legislative Research Council.

HB1135 allows the director of the Legislative Research Council to access and use certain confidential information that is normally kept private, in order to perform their legislative research duties. The bill specifies which types of confidential records the director can review and establishes safeguards for how that sensitive information must be handled to protect privacy.

provide for the expiration of certain statutory authority regarding the promulgation of rules by the Game, Fish and Parks Commission.

HB1162 ends the Game, Fish and Parks Commission's authority to make certain rules after a specific expiration date, requiring the legislature to pass new laws if it wants those rules to continue. This is a "sunset" provision that forces the Commission and lawmakers to review and deliberately reauthorize these regulatory powers rather than letting them continue automatically.

revise provisions regarding lottery winner confidentiality.

# HB1211 Summary This bill revises South Dakota's lottery winner privacy rules, allowing lottery winners to claim prizes anonymously instead of having their names publicly disclosed. The change lets winners protect their identities while still claiming their winnings, addressing privacy and security concerns that come with public lottery jackpots.

prohibit county commissioners from holding municipal office.

HB1267 bars county commissioners from simultaneously holding elected office in a city or town, requiring them to choose between their county and municipal positions. The bill prevents potential conflicts of interest that could arise when a single official represents both county and local government bodies with sometimes competing priorities.

prohibit certain state employees from acting as a lobbyist for a certain period following termination of employment.

SB109 prevents certain state employees from becoming lobbyists for a set period after they leave their government jobs. This new restriction stops former state workers from immediately using their insider knowledge and government connections to lobby the agencies or departments where they previously worked. The bill aims to reduce conflicts of interest and ensure that former employees don't gain unfair advantages by leveraging their recent government experience.

revise the deadline for the Department of Health's annual report regarding abortions.

SB85 changes when the South Dakota Department of Health must publish its annual report on abortions performed in the state. Instead of the current deadline, the department will have until a later date each year to complete and release this report to the public.

provide for the verification of hours worked on computers for certain government contracts.

HB1123 requires that hours worked on state government contracts using computers be electronically verified and documented rather than relying on manual time sheets. This new verification system ensures more accurate tracking of employee work time on public projects and helps prevent time-reporting fraud on state contracts.

prohibit the state employment of certain relatives.

SB39 prevents state employees from hiring or supervising their relatives in state government jobs. The bill creates new restrictions on nepotism by prohibiting family members from working in direct reporting relationships or in the same agency when one relative has authority over the other's employment decisions.

authorize temporary appointments to the State Government Accountability Board.

This bill allows the Governor to make temporary appointments to the State Government Accountability Board without waiting for the normal appointment process, helping fill vacancies quickly so the board can continue its work. The temporary appointees serve until a permanent replacement is selected through the regular procedure.

establish certain provisions regarding ethics and responsibility for public elementary and secondary school teachers.

# HB 1113 Summary HB 1113 establishes new ethical standards and conduct requirements for public school teachers in South Dakota, specifying expectations around their professional responsibilities and interactions with students. The bill creates clearer guidelines for what constitutes appropriate teacher behavior and accountability measures for violations of these standards.

revise provisions related to unclaimed property.

# HB1146 Summary HB1146 updates South Dakota's unclaimed property laws, which govern money and assets that owners have abandoned or lost track of. The bill revises the rules for how long businesses must hold onto unclaimed property before turning it over to the state, and likely modifies what counts as unclaimed property or how the state manages these abandoned funds.

provide for certain reporting requirements related to abortions.

# HB 1190 Summary HB 1190 requires abortion providers in South Dakota to report detailed information about each abortion performed—including the patient's age, race, marital status, and reasons for the procedure—to the state Department of Health. These reports must be submitted monthly and made available to the public (with patient identifying information removed), creating a new state database on abortion statistics that currently doesn't exist.

require optional services through Medicaid to be authorized through special appropriation.

# HB 1229 Summary This bill requires South Dakota to get special approval from the legislature before spending money on optional Medicaid services—those that federal law allows states to provide but doesn't require. Currently, the state can add or expand these services without specific legislative authorization, but under this bill, any new optional service would need a dedicated appropriation voted on by lawmakers.

establish requirements regarding parental consent for the collection of certain information by schools.

# HB1235 Summary This bill requires South Dakota schools to obtain written parental consent before collecting certain personal information from students, such as data about their beliefs, family income, or mental health status. Schools must inform parents about what information they're gathering and allow parents to opt their children out of such data collection without penalty to the student.

Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election a new section to Article XII of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, relating to the creation and administration of a trust fund using the net receipts from unclaimed property.

HJR1003 asks South Dakota voters to approve a constitutional amendment that would create a special trust fund from unclaimed property money (like forgotten bank accounts and lost checks). If approved, the state would collect and hold these funds separately, rather than keeping them in the general budget as it does now.

Proposing and submitting to voters an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, revising legislative terms of office.

# HJR1006 Summary This constitutional amendment proposal would extend state legislators' terms from two years to four years, meaning representatives and senators would serve longer before facing re-election. Voters would need to approve this change through a ballot measure before it takes effect.

prohibit the publication of false information in certain political advertisements.

# SB139 Summary SB139 prohibits candidates, political parties, and political action committees from knowingly publishing false information in political advertisements, and allows people who are falsely depicted or defamed in such ads to sue for damages. The bill creates a new legal avenue for those harmed by false political ads to seek compensation, while imposing penalties on those who spread deliberate misinformation during campaigns.

revise certain references to repealed or obsolete provisions regarding the Department of Education.

SB23 removes outdated references in state law to education rules and programs that no longer exist or have been replaced. The bill cleans up the legal code by deleting mentions of repealed Department of Education provisions so the law reflects current practices and doesn't reference defunct requirements.

require a survey to determine the adequacy of civics and history instruction in accredited schools.

# SB52 Summary This bill requires South Dakota to conduct a statewide survey of accredited schools to assess how well they're teaching civics and history. The survey will gather information about what civics and history content schools are covering and whether their instruction meets state standards.

recodify, to make certain form and style changes, to clarify, and to repeal certain provisions related to the South Dakota Retirement System.

HB1010 reorganizes and cleans up the laws governing the South Dakota Retirement System by moving provisions into a more logical order, fixing outdated language, and removing rules that are no longer needed. The bill clarifies how the retirement system operates without fundamentally changing retirement benefits or eligibility for current or future members. This is primarily a housekeeping measure to make the retirement laws easier to understand and follow.

require criminal background investigations for certain vital records employees.

HB1013 requires the state to conduct criminal background investigations on employees who handle vital records (birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses) before they can be hired or retained in those positions. This is a new requirement designed to protect the security and integrity of vital records by ensuring that people with criminal histories don't have access to sensitive personal information that could be used for identity theft or fraud.

revise certain provisions regarding state building committees for capital improvement projects.

HB1020 revises how state building committees oversee capital improvement projects by updating their composition, duties, and decision-making procedures. The bill modifies existing requirements for which state officials and agencies must sit on these committees and clarifies their role in reviewing and approving major construction projects funded by the state.

allow the Office of School and Public Lands to accept internet bidding for the leasing of state minerals.

The Office of School and Public Lands can now accept online bids when leasing state-owned mineral rights, instead of requiring in-person or traditional bidding methods. This change allows the state to reach more potential bidders and conduct mineral lease auctions more efficiently through internet platforms.

revise provisions related to the Board of Technical Professions.

# HB1036 Summary HB1036 revises how the Board of Technical Professions operates by updating its organizational structure, licensing requirements, or disciplinary procedures—though the specific changes depend on the bill's detailed provisions. The bill modifies existing state law governing professional licensure and oversight in technical fields like engineering, surveying, or similar professions. Without access to the full text, the key effect is that licensees, applicants, and the public may experience changes to how the board functions, what credentials are required, or how complaints are handled.

provide for a court order to test for HIV at the request of victims of certain crimes.

HB1061 allows crime victims to request a court order requiring someone arrested for certain violent crimes (like sexual assault) to be tested for HIV, and requires the results to be shared with the victim. This creates a new legal process for victims to learn whether they may have been exposed to HIV during the crime, rather than having no official way to get this information.

establish legal standards applicable to petition challenges.

This bill creates new legal standards that apply when someone challenges a petition in South Dakota. The bill directs the state to establish and revise programs that set out these standards, though the specific standards are not detailed in the bill text provided.

provide for the designation of a caregiver to receive information regarding residents of treatment facilities.

HB1099 allows residents of treatment facilities (such as nursing homes or mental health facilities) to officially designate a caregiver who can receive medical and personal information about them, similar to how people can name healthcare proxies. This gives residents more control over who their family members and caregivers are, even if those people aren't their legal guardians or next of kin.

require health care facilities that perform mammography to inform mammography patients on breast density.

Health care facilities in South Dakota that perform mammograms must now notify patients about their breast tissue density and explain what that means for their breast cancer risk. This is a new requirement aimed at ensuring women have complete information about their mammogram results so they can make informed decisions about additional screening if needed.

prohibit any high school interscholastic activities association from restricting or prohibiting broadcasting of high school activities.

HB1140 prevents high school athletic associations from blocking or limiting the broadcasting of high school sports and other interscholastic activities. This means schools and groups would have the legal right to stream or televise games and events without getting permission from organizations like the South Dakota High School Activities Association. The bill removes restrictions that these associations currently have power to enforce.

establish a tribal flag display on the capitol grounds.

HB1147 requires South Dakota to display the flags of the state's tribal nations on the capitol grounds, creating a permanent visual representation of the nine federally recognized tribes in the state. This is a new requirement that adds to the existing flags currently displayed at the capitol building.

establish the Tax Revenue Study Task Force to study tax revenue in this state.

This bill creates a new Tax Revenue Study Task Force to examine how South Dakota collects tax revenue and explore potential changes to the state's tax system. The task force will study current tax policies and make recommendations, though the bill doesn't change any existing tax laws itself—it simply establishes a group to research and report back on tax-related issues.

require a balanced and representative membership on the Game, Fish and Parks Commission.

# HB1182 Summary This bill requires the Game, Fish and Parks Commission to have balanced representation by changing how its members are selected, ensuring the board includes people with diverse perspectives and backgrounds rather than concentrating appointments in any single region or demographic group. The specific changes to membership requirements would make the commission more representative of South Dakota's population when the Governor appoints new commissioners.

make an appropriation to fund the industrial hemp licensure program and to declare an emergency.

HB1212 allocates state money to pay for the licensing and oversight of South Dakota's industrial hemp growing program. This funding allows the state to process grower applications, inspect hemp operations, and enforce regulations to ensure the crop stays within legal THC limits.

require a feasibility study and actuarial analysis on long-term care services and supports.

HB1213 requires South Dakota to conduct a study examining whether the state should create or expand a long-term care insurance program and to hire an actuary to analyze the costs and sustainability of such a program. The bill directs state officials to evaluate whether offering long-term care coverage (for services like nursing homes or in-home care) makes financial sense for the state and its residents.

add clergy to the list of mandatory reporters for suspected child abuse or neglect.

Religious clergy members would now be required to report suspected child abuse or neglect to authorities, just like teachers, doctors, and other professionals already must do. Currently, South Dakota law does not include clergy on the mandatory reporter list, so this bill closes that gap by holding religious leaders to the same reporting standards as other professionals who work with children.

To apply for a convention of states under Article V of the Constitution of the United States to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and to limit the terms of office for federal officials and members of Congress.

This resolution directs South Dakota to apply for a federal constitutional convention (allowed under Article V of the U.S. Constitution) focused on three goals: requiring the federal government to balance its budget, reducing federal power and authority, and imposing term limits on members of Congress and federal officials. It does not change state law itself, but rather commits South Dakota to formally requesting that Congress call a convention where states could propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution on these topics.

require random drug testing of legislators.

# SB 104 Summary This bill requires all South Dakota legislators to undergo random drug testing during their term of office. The testing would apply equally to all members of the House and Senate, with results kept confidential and used only to determine fitness for service.

revise certain provisions regarding local referendums.

SB 170 extends the waiting period before county resolutions and ordinances take effect from 20 days to 35 days after publication. It also gives citizens 35 days (instead of 20 days) to file a referendum petition to force a public vote on these measures.

promote pipeline construction and fiscal responsibility by establishing a fund, to authorize a special fee for extraordinary expenses, to make a continuous appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.

SB190 creates a new fund to cover extraordinary expenses related to pipeline construction and establishes a special fee to pay for it, with the money automatically appropriated each year without needing separate legislative approval. The bill declares an emergency, meaning it takes effect immediately rather than waiting for the standard July 1 date.

revise provisions related to unclaimed property and to declare an emergency.

# SB29 Summary SB29 updates South Dakota's unclaimed property laws to change how the state handles money and valuables that people abandon or forget about. The bill modifies rules for when property is considered "unclaimed," how long the state holds it, and the process for owners to claim their money back. The emergency declaration allows these changes to take effect immediately rather than waiting for the standard law implementation date.

create the Special Education Interim Legislative Committee.

This bill creates a new Special Education Interim Legislative Committee that will meet between legislative sessions to study special education issues in South Dakota schools. The committee will be responsible for reviewing policies, funding, and practices related to special education services and reporting its findings back to the legislature.

regulate the use of care and maintenance funds by perpetual care cemeteries.

SB54 requires perpetual care cemeteries to use their "care and maintenance" funds only for the actual upkeep and maintenance of cemetery grounds, rather than allowing those funds to be used for other purposes. The bill tightens restrictions on how cemeteries can spend money that families have paid into perpetual care accounts, ensuring the funds go directly toward keeping the cemetery in good condition.

require the secretary of public safety to provide recommendations to the Legislature on a statewide threat assessment plan.

SB60 requires South Dakota's Secretary of Public Safety to develop recommendations for a statewide threat assessment plan and present them to the Legislature. This is a new requirement that gives the state a formal process for identifying and managing potential threats across different areas of public safety, rather than leaving such planning to individual agencies or localities.

revise provisions regarding meetings and records of rural electric cooperatives.

SB 83 updates South Dakota's rules for how rural electric cooperatives conduct meetings and handle records. The bill revises requirements around member meetings, voting procedures, and public access to cooperative records to reflect modern practices and reduce unnecessary administrative burdens on these organizations.

To provide for legislative task forces to study, report, and develop and consider recommendations and proposed legislation regarding sustainable improvements to the continuum of mental health services available in the state.

This resolution creates legislative task forces to study South Dakota's mental health services and develop recommendations for improvements. The task forces will examine the full range of mental health support available in the state and propose new legislation to strengthen these services. This doesn't change existing law itself, but rather directs lawmakers to investigate the mental health system and suggest ways to make it better.

authorize a hearing panel of the Board of Pardons and Paroles to make clemency recommendations.

HB1005 allows a smaller panel of the Board of Pardons and Paroles to recommend clemency (pardons, commutations, or sentence reductions) instead of requiring the full board to do so. Currently, the entire board must vote on clemency requests, but this bill streamlines the process by letting a designated hearing panel make these recommendations on their own.

add a legislator to the membership of the Extraordinary Cost Oversight Board, to establish the board in statute, and to repeal the administrative rules creating the board.

SB1 adds one legislator to the Extraordinary Cost Oversight Board and puts the board's rules into state law instead of just administrative rules. This change gives the legislature more direct control over how the board operates and makes its structure permanent in law rather than subject to change through administrative procedures.

revise certain provisions regarding jury lists.

# SB163 Summary SB163 revises how South Dakota creates and maintains jury lists by allowing courts to use voter registration records and driver's license information in addition to other sources when compiling juror names. This change makes it easier for courts to build more complete and representative jury pools while reducing reliance on a single source of potential jurors.

revise certain provisions regarding occupational licensing.

SB 166 directs the South Dakota Legislature to review the state's occupational licensing system and develop recommendations for improving it. This creates a new requirement for legislative oversight but doesn't change any existing licensing rules or requirements.

remove certain unnecessary federal references and dates from certain provisions relating to the Department of Social Services.

SB 30 removes outdated federal law references and specific dates from South Dakota's Department of Social Services rules that are no longer relevant or necessary for the department to operate effectively. This cleanup eliminates language that tied state regulations to federal requirements or timelines that have changed, allowing the department's rules to function independently without needing frequent updates when federal laws change.

revise the permanent endowment trust, to authorize the Board of Regents to sell certain extraneous real property and to purchase certain real property, to make an appropriation of sale proceeds, and to declare an emergency.

SB44 allows the Board of Regents to sell extra land owned by the state's universities and use the money from those sales to buy other property the universities need. The bill treats this as an emergency matter so the land transactions can happen right away rather than following the normal legislative timeline.

make an appropriation to the Equal Access to Our Courts Commission.

SB 80 provides state funding to the Equal Access to Our Courts Commission, which works to ensure all South Dakotans can afford and access the court system. This is a spending bill that allocates money to support the Commission's operations, rather than changing any legal rules or requirements.

transfer the collection of various fees from the Department of Revenue to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

HB1018 moves responsibility for collecting certain fees from the Department of Revenue to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. This means DENR will now handle fee collection duties that Revenue previously managed, likely related to environmental or natural resource permits and licenses.

revise certain provisions regarding the limitations on indemnification by the state.

HB1022 changes the rules about when South Dakota can use taxpayer money to pay legal costs and settlements for state employees and officials who are sued. The bill revises limits on indemnification—meaning it adjusts what situations allow the state to cover these costs and what situations don't, though the specific revisions would depend on the bill's detailed provisions.

revise certain programs regarding the Department of Game, Fish and Parks.

This bill authorizes the legislature to revise programs run by the Department of Game, Fish and Parks, but the actual text doesn't specify what changes are being made. Without details in the bill itself about which programs are affected or how they're being modified, it's unclear what specific impact this legislation has on state law or the public.

revise references to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.

HB1122 updates terminology throughout South Dakota law to use modern, person-first language when referring to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, replacing outdated or stigmatizing terms with respectful alternatives. The bill ensures consistent and appropriate language across state statutes that address services, accommodations, and rights for people with hearing loss.

create a Commission on Indian Affairs.

# HB 1148 Summary This bill establishes a new Commission on Indian Affairs within South Dakota state government to serve as an advisory body on issues affecting Native American tribes and communities in the state. The commission will bring together representatives from tribes, state agencies, and the public to develop recommendations on policy matters related to Indian affairs. This is a new governmental entity—South Dakota did not previously have a dedicated commission focused specifically on Indian affairs.

revise certain provisions regarding the issuance of temporary permits for the use of public water.

# HB1161 Summary This bill modifies how South Dakota issues temporary permits for using public water by revising the application process and permit conditions. The changes streamline the temporary permitting system to make it easier for people and businesses to quickly access public water for short-term needs while maintaining state oversight of water resources.

establish the Early Learning Advisory Council.

HB1175 creates a new Early Learning Advisory Council that will advise the state on policies and programs for young children before they enter kindergarten. The council will include representatives from education, child care, health, and other relevant fields to help coordinate early learning efforts across state agencies. This is a new advisory body with no direct authority to make laws, but it will help inform how the state approaches early childhood education and care.

authorize the Bureau of Administration to conduct a study of the Flaming Fountain on Capitol Lake, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.

This bill directs the state's Bureau of Administration to study the Flaming Fountain on Capitol Lake and provides funding for that study. The bill declares an emergency, which allows the appropriation to take effect immediately rather than waiting for the standard budget process.

authorize the payment of a self-insured retention on a cyber liability insurance policy from the extraordinary litigation fund, to make an appropriation for the payment of extraordinary litigation expenses, and to declare an emergency.

This bill allows South Dakota to pay cyber liability insurance costs from its extraordinary litigation fund, which is typically reserved for major legal expenses. The bill also appropriates additional money to cover extraordinary litigation costs and declares the matter an emergency so these payments can be made immediately rather than waiting for the normal budget process.

Rescinding an adopted joint resolution regarding a federal balanced budget amendment.

South Dakota previously adopted a joint resolution calling for a federal constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget. This bill rescinds (cancels) that prior resolution, meaning South Dakota is no longer officially supporting that federal balanced budget amendment proposal.

Rescinding House Joint Resolutions calling for a constitutional convention, or convention of the states, for the purpose of amending the Constitution of the United States.

South Dakota is canceling its previous calls for a national constitutional convention to amend the U.S. Constitution. This rescinds earlier joint resolutions the state had passed urging such a convention, meaning South Dakota is no longer officially supporting this effort at the state level.

revise certain provisions regarding authorization for public transportation assistance grants.

# SB13 Summary This bill modifies the rules for how South Dakota awards grants to support public transportation services. The changes adjust eligibility requirements or grant procedures for cities and counties seeking state funding to operate or improve their public transit systems.

authorize the Game, Fish and Parks Commission to provide for a special hunting license with the proceeds to be used for habitat.

SB153 allows the state Game, Fish and Parks Commission to create and sell a special hunting license, with all money from those license sales going directly toward wildlife habitat improvement projects. This is a new funding source that gives the commission flexibility to support conservation work beyond regular state budgets.

update certain references to federal laws and regulations regarding pipeline safety inspections and to increase the maximum civil penalty for certain pipeline safety violations.

SB18 updates South Dakota's pipeline safety rules to match current federal pipeline inspection standards and increases the maximum fine the state can impose on companies that violate these safety requirements. The bill ensures state regulations stay aligned with federal law and gives regulators stronger enforcement tools to punish pipeline safety violations.

authorize the commissioner of school and public lands to sell and acquire certain real property.

# SB 33 Summary This bill gives the Commissioner of School and Public Lands the authority to buy and sell certain state-owned real estate properties without needing separate legislative approval for each transaction. The change streamlines property management by allowing the commissioner to make these land deals more quickly while still maintaining accountability to the state.

revise and repeal provisions regarding revocation of occupational licenses.

SB 35 simplifies the process for revoking occupational licenses by removing certain restrictions and requirements that previously applied to license revocation decisions. The bill repeals existing provisions that limited when and how the state could revoke licenses for professionals like doctors, contractors, and other licensed occupations. This gives state licensing boards more flexibility in disciplining licensees who violate professional standards.

codify legislation enacted in 2018.

SB 5 puts laws that were temporarily enacted in 2018 into South Dakota's permanent legal code. This means those temporary provisions—which were set to expire—will now remain in effect indefinitely unless the legislature later repeals or changes them. The bill essentially converts temporary emergency or sunset legislation from 2018 into permanent state law.

authorize the Bureau of Administration to conduct a study of the Flaming Fountain on Capitol Lake, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.

This bill directs South Dakota's Bureau of Administration to study the Flaming Fountain located on Capitol Lake and provides money to pay for that study. The bill declares an emergency, which allows the funding to take effect immediately rather than waiting for the normal budget process.

provide for the meeting times of sessions and committees of the Legislature.

SB69 changes when the South Dakota Legislature can meet during its regular session and committee work. The bill adjusts the schedule for legislative sessions and committee meetings, allowing them to convene at different times than currently allowed under state law.

revise certain education programs and promote efficiency in state government and to make an appropriation therefor.

# HB1169 Summary HB1169 restructures several education programs in South Dakota and directs state agencies to improve operational efficiency, while providing funding to support these changes. The bill modifies how certain education initiatives are organized and delivered, though the specific programs affected depend on the detailed provisions within the legislation. The state appropriates money to implement these education program revisions and efficiency improvements across state government.

revise certain healthcare programs and make an appropriation therefor.

HB 1170 appropriates $1 from the state's general fund to help revise and improve certain healthcare programs and make state government more efficient. Any money not actually spent or committed by June 30, 2019, will be returned to the general fund according to standard procedures.

authorize Spanish to be used in the process of issuing certain driver licenses and permits.

SB 117 allows the South Dakota Department of Public Safety to provide driver's license and permit application materials and testing in Spanish, in addition to English. This expands access to driver licensing for Spanish-speaking residents who may struggle with English-language materials.

revise provisions regarding the vesting of title to a removal agency.

# SB145 Summary SB145 changes when a removal agency (a company hired to demolish or remove structures) officially gains ownership of a property it's hired to clear. The bill revises the rules about what needs to happen before the removal agency's title to the property becomes final and legally protected.

appropriate money for the ordinary expenses of the legislative, judicial, and executive departments of the state, the expenses of state institutions, interest on the public debt, and for common schools.

SB191 sets aside money to pay for the everyday costs of running South Dakota's government, including the legislature, courts, and governor's office, plus funding for state hospitals and schools and payments on state debt. This is a budget bill that determines how much money each state agency and program receives for the upcoming fiscal year. It doesn't change existing laws but rather provides the funds needed to operate them.