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revise certain provisions regarding the authority of conservation district governing boards.
# HB1075 Summary This bill gives conservation district governing boards more authority to make decisions about their own operations and management. Specifically, it revises state rules to allow these boards greater flexibility in areas like staffing, budgeting, and program administration that were previously more restricted or required state approval.
revise certain provisions regarding local referendums.
HB1115 revises the rules for how local governments can hold referendums by allowing them to schedule votes on local measures at times other than general elections, giving communities more flexibility in when they ask voters to approve local proposals. The bill also adjusts the voting requirements and procedures local officials must follow when conducting these separate referendums.
revise provisions regarding the maximum term of promissory notes issued to municipalities.
HB1128 allows municipalities to issue promissory notes with longer repayment periods than currently permitted under state law. The bill increases the maximum term for these municipal borrowing notes, giving cities and towns more flexibility in structuring their debt repayment schedules.
provide for the regulation of saline tattoo removal by municipalities.
# HB1176 Summary This bill allows South Dakota cities and towns to create local rules regulating saline tattoo removal—a non-laser method where salt solution is used to fade or remove tattoos. The change gives municipalities the power to license practitioners, set safety standards, and enforce regulations specific to their communities, rather than leaving saline tattoo removal completely unregulated at the local level.
revise certain provisions regarding violations of county and municipal ordinances.
# HB1224 Summary This bill changes how violations of county and municipal ordinances are prosecuted by allowing them to be classified as misdemeanors or felonies under state law, rather than being treated as a separate category of local violations. The bill clarifies penalties and procedures for these offenses, making them subject to standard state criminal law rather than local ordinance enforcement only. This gives counties and municipalities more flexibility in how they enforce local rules and what consequences violators face.
authorize a county gross receipts tax.
SB106 allows individual South Dakota counties to adopt a local gross receipts tax on businesses operating within their borders, giving counties a new revenue option beyond property taxes. Each county would need voter approval to implement this tax, and the revenue would support county services and operations. This is a new authority—South Dakota counties currently cannot impose gross receipts taxes.
authorize counties on behalf of certain improvement districts to issue convention facility on-sale licenses to sell alcoholic beverages.
SB48 allows counties to issue on-sale liquor licenses for convention facilities that are operated by certain improvement districts, expanding who can serve alcoholic beverages at these venues. Previously, convention facilities may not have had this licensing option available through their local improvement districts. This change gives counties a new tool to regulate alcohol sales at convention centers and similar facilities within their jurisdiction.
prohibit certain local ordinances regarding firearms.
# HB 1056 Summary This bill prevents cities and counties from passing their own laws that restrict firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories beyond what state law already allows. It essentially takes away local governments' ability to create stricter gun regulations than what South Dakota state law permits.
repeal certain provisions regarding the exercise of certain powers over certain property.
South Dakota counties can now establish commercial property assessed clean energy (PACE) programs that allow businesses to finance energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems through property assessments. The bill defines key terms like "energy improvements" (equipment upgrades that reduce energy consumption) and "renewable energy systems" (solar panels, wind turbines, and similar installations), and allows counties to administer these programs themselves or hire a third party to run them. This creates a new financing mechanism to help businesses pay for energy-saving upgrades.
Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota regarding appointments to fill legislative vacancies.
This proposal asks South Dakota voters to amend the state constitution to change how legislative vacancies are filled when a state senator or representative resigns or leaves office. Currently, the governor appoints a replacement; this amendment would likely shift that power to the legislature or change the appointment process in another significant way. Voters would decide whether to approve this constitutional change at the next general election.
modify the requirements for county or municipality disapproval of an off-sale license applicant to sell alcoholic beverages.
SB135 changes the rules for when counties or municipalities can reject an application for an off-sale liquor license (like a grocery store or gas station selling beer and wine). Currently, local governments can disapprove a license for various reasons; this bill modifies what those reasons can be and likely makes the approval process more predictable for applicants by clarifying or limiting the grounds for rejection.
revise qualifications for sanitary district trustees.
SB73 changes the requirements for who can serve as a trustee on a sanitary district board by revising the qualifications those candidates must meet. The specific changes to trustee eligibility criteria allow different people to serve in these local water and sewer management positions than could under previous law.
Instructing South Dakota's congressional representatives to support an effort in Congress to terminate the U.S. Department of Education.
This resolution instructs South Dakota's U.S. Representatives and Senators to vote in support of eliminating the federal Department of Education. It does not change state law itself, but rather expresses the state legislature's position that Congress should abolish the federal agency responsible for education policy and programs.
authorize certain children who are subject to a pending military relocation to apply for enrollment in a school district.
HB1044 allows children whose families are facing military relocation orders to apply and enroll in their school district before the move actually happens, rather than waiting until after they've moved. This gives military families more flexibility in managing their children's education during the transition period of a pending military reassignment.
revise certain provisions regarding the repair of sidewalks within a municipality.
# HB 1078 Summary This bill changes the rules for how municipalities can require property owners to repair sidewalks adjacent to their property. The bill revises existing law to clarify the process and standards municipalities must follow when ordering sidewalk repairs, though the specific changes depend on the bill's detailed provisions regarding timelines, notice requirements, or cost-sharing between property owners and cities.
repeal the termination of the juvenile detention cost-sharing fund.
HB1186 restores the juvenile detention cost-sharing fund, which was previously set to expire. This fund helps counties pay for the costs of detaining juveniles in local facilities instead of state institutions.
modify the distribution of taxes on concentrated animal feeding operations.
HB 1223 changes how South Dakota distributes tax revenue collected from concentrated animal feeding operations (large-scale livestock farms) among state and local governments. Instead of the current distribution method, the bill redirects a larger share of these taxes to counties and townships where the operations are located, giving local communities more funding from these agricultural enterprises. This gives rural areas more direct financial benefit from hosting large-scale animal farming operations.
reduce the number of petition signatures required for conservation district supervisor elections.
SB100 lowers the number of petition signatures needed for candidates to run for conservation district supervisor positions. Instead of the current requirement, candidates will need to gather fewer signatures from registered voters in their district to get on the ballot. This change makes it easier for people to run for these local government positions.
require the state to assume the responsibility for legal expenses of certain persons in state custody.
SB142 requires South Dakota to pay the legal defense costs for people in state custody who cannot afford a lawyer, rather than leaving counties to cover these expenses. This shifts the financial burden of public defense from local governments to the state, ensuring that counties don't have to pay for defending individuals held by state authorities.
repeal provisions regarding river basin natural resource districts
SB46 eliminates the legal framework for river basin natural resource districts in South Dakota. These districts, which were authorized under state law to manage water and natural resources across multiple counties within river basins, will no longer be able to be created or operate under this repealed authority.
establish an interim legislative committee to study issues related to electric services in an annexed area.
SB66 creates a temporary legislative committee to investigate problems that arise when a city annexes land and takes over electric service in that area. The committee will study issues like how to handle existing utility contracts, rates, and service quality during the transition, then report its findings to the legislature.
revise certain provisions regarding the signature requirements for municipal elections.
SB92 changes how many signatures are required on petitions for municipal elections in South Dakota. Instead of the current signature requirement, the bill adjusts the threshold that candidates and ballot measure supporters must meet when submitting petitions to get on local ballots. The specific changes make it easier or harder (depending on the municipality) for people to qualify for municipal elections through the petition process.
Proposing and submitting to the electors at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, relating to the authorization of certain games of chance in the City of Yankton.
This joint resolution asks South Dakota voters to amend the state Constitution to allow the city of Yankton to authorize and operate certain games of chance (likely gambling activities). If approved by voters, it would create a specific exception for Yankton, overriding the general state prohibition on gambling in that city.
establish certain provisions regarding the mowing of rights-of-way adjacent to the state trunk highway system.
HB1145 allows the Department of Transportation to enter into agreements with adjacent property owners to mow the rights-of-way (the land strips along highways) instead of doing all the mowing itself. This gives property owners the option to maintain the area next to their land along state highways, potentially saving the state money while allowing owners more control over their property's appearance.
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 certain provisions regarding water permits.
HB 1240 allows the state engineer to issue water permits without a full board hearing when applicants don't contest the engineer's recommendation and nobody files a formal objection, streamlining the permit process. The bill preserves the engineer's ability to still request a full board hearing if the application raises important public policy issues, and it requires the board to hold hearings in the affected county or municipality upon request.
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.
provide for an annual transfer of certain unobligated state general funds into the local bridge improvement grant fund.
SB103 sets up an automatic yearly transfer of unused state money into a fund that helps local governments repair and improve bridges. Instead of letting unspent state general funds sit unused, the state will now direct this money specifically to support local bridge projects across South Dakota.
create an on-sale surcharge license.
SB130 creates a new type of liquor license called an "on-sale surcharge license" that allows businesses to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises. This new license option gives businesses and local communities more flexibility in how they regulate and manage on-site alcohol sales, while generating additional revenue through licensing fees.
define solar energy facilities and to establish certain provisions regarding solar energy permits.
SB 14 creates a legal definition of what counts as a "solar energy facility" in South Dakota and sets up new rules for how local governments must handle permits for solar projects. The bill establishes standards that cities and counties must follow when approving or denying solar permits, ensuring that solar developers have clearer pathways to get their projects approved. This addresses a gap in state law where solar facilities weren't previously defined in a consistent way.
revise certain provisions regarding who is eligible to serve as a candidate in the event of a vacancy.
SB75 changes the rules for who can run as a candidate to fill an open office when a vacancy occurs mid-term. The bill revises the eligibility requirements that currently restrict certain individuals from being candidates in special elections or appointment processes. Without seeing the specific amendments, the change likely either expands or narrows the pool of people legally allowed to seek these vacant positions.
revise provisions regarding election of officers for rural electric cooperatives
SB 82 changes how rural electric cooperatives elect their officers by revising the procedures and requirements that govern these internal elections. The bill modifies existing election rules to streamline the process while maintaining member voting rights in these farmer-owned utility organizations. Specific changes allow cooperatives more flexibility in selecting and electing board leadership positions.
establish certain provisions regarding fairness in repairs of equipment sold or used in this state.
# HB1102 Summary This bill requires manufacturers of equipment sold in South Dakota to provide independent repair shops and consumers with access to repair parts, repair manuals, and diagnostic tools at reasonable prices. The law prevents manufacturers from using proprietary locks or restrictions to force people to use only authorized repair services, giving consumers more freedom to choose where they get their equipment repaired.
revise certain provisions on the protection of historic properties.
# HB1153 Summary This bill revises South Dakota's rules for protecting historic properties by modifying how the state identifies, evaluates, and regulates buildings and sites with historical significance. The specific changes affect the processes and standards that property owners, developers, and state agencies must follow when dealing with historic structures, though the exact revisions would depend on the bill's detailed provisions regarding listing requirements, review procedures, or preservation standards.