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revise the procedure for judgment by confession.

# HB 1070 Summary This bill changes how people can admit guilt in court through a "confession of judgment"—a legal shortcut where a defendant acknowledges the claims against them without a full trial. The revised procedure updates the requirements for filing these confessions, likely making the process clearer or more streamlined for courts and the parties involved.

revise the provisions regarding the filing of a statement of additional issues on appeal in certain contested cases.

SB45 changes the rules for how people can file additional legal issues during appeals in certain contested cases. Instead of the current process, the bill allows parties to file a statement of additional issues within a set timeframe, giving them a clearer and more defined opportunity to raise new arguments in their appeal.

revise provisions regarding the mandatory retirement age of judges.

HB1138 removes the mandatory retirement age requirement for South Dakota judges, allowing them to continue serving beyond the current age limit. This change lets judges decide when to retire rather than being forced out based on age alone.

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 trusts.

South Dakota law currently allows trustees to resign, but this bill clarifies and expands the resignation process by allowing trustees to resign without court approval if they give proper notice to key parties. For revocable trusts, a trustee can resign with 30 days' notice to the settlor and other fiduciaries; for irrevocable trusts, the same 30-day notice applies but must also reach beneficiaries who are legally entitled to know about the resignation. The bill also updates outdated language by replacing "his" with "its" when referring to the trustee office.

Proposing and submitting to the electors at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, related to partisan elections of judges.

This constitutional amendment would change how South Dakota elects judges by making their elections partisan, meaning candidates would run with a political party label (like Republican or Democrat) instead of the current nonpartisan system. Voters would decide whether to adopt this change in the next general election. If approved, judges would be identified by their party affiliation on the ballot rather than running as independents without party labels.

revise the time requirements for parole reports and plans.

HB1006 changes how often people on parole must submit reports and how frequently parole plans must be updated. Instead of the current requirements, parolees will have new timelines for reporting to their parole officers and for reviewing/updating their parole plans with their supervising officers.

revise certain provisions regarding adult adoption.

# HB1067 Summary This bill revises South Dakota's adult adoption law to allow adults to be adopted by other adults, removing restrictions that previously limited who could adopt whom. The changes likely streamline the adoption process for consenting adults and may modify consent requirements or court procedures currently in place for adult adoptions.

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.

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.

revise provisions regarding multiple convictions for certain offenses.

# SB74 Summary SB74 changes how South Dakota handles cases where someone is convicted of the same crime multiple times. The bill revises the rules for what happens when a person commits certain offenses on separate occasions, likely affecting sentencing requirements or how courts count previous convictions when determining penalties.

revise eligibility for a deferred imposition of sentence.

# HB1003 Summary HB1003 expands who can receive a deferred imposition of sentence (a suspended sentence that can be dismissed if conditions are met) by removing or relaxing certain eligibility restrictions that currently apply to specific crimes. This allows more defendants convicted of certain offenses to potentially have their sentences deferred rather than served immediately, giving them a chance to avoid a permanent conviction record if they successfully complete their probation requirements.

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.

revise certain provisions regarding support obligations.

# HB 1106 Summary This bill modifies how child support and spousal support obligations are calculated and enforced in South Dakota. The specific changes affect the income calculations used to determine support amounts, adjustments for shared parenting time, and procedures for modifying or terminating support orders based on changed circumstances.

revise the definition of adultery.

# HB1107 Summary HB1107 changes South Dakota's definition of adultery to clarify what conduct legally constitutes the offense. The revision updates how the law describes the act of adultery, which affects how courts interpret and apply this crime in legal proceedings.

provide for the construction, renovation, improvement, remodeling, alteration, addition to and repairing of courthouses, jails, incarceration reduction facilities, and other necessary buildings.

SB 65 authorizes the state to fund construction and repair projects for courthouses, jails, facilities that reduce incarceration, and other essential government buildings. This bill provides the financial mechanism for South Dakota to upgrade, expand, or renovate these facilities to meet current needs.

revise certain provisions regarding criminal background checks for adults working in child care institutions.

HB1029 changes the criminal background check requirements for adults working in child care institutions by revising which crimes disqualify someone from employment in these settings. The bill modifies the list of offenses that automatically bar workers from child care jobs, adjusting state law to refine who can work around children in licensed facilities.