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make an appropriation to upgrade the state radio infrastructure system and to declare an emergency.

HB1187 appropriates state funding to upgrade South Dakota's radio infrastructure system used by emergency responders and government agencies. The bill declares this infrastructure upgrade an emergency measure, which allows the funds to be released and spent immediately rather than following the standard budget process.

provide for the postponement of certain elections and to declare an emergency.

HB1298 allows South Dakota to postpone certain elections due to emergency circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill declares an emergency to enable election officials to delay voting when public health or other crises make holding elections unsafe or impractical.

revise certain driver licensing requirements to allow for an extension during a statewide emergency or disaster and to declare an emergency.

# SB 190 Summary During a statewide emergency or disaster declared by the Governor, driver's licenses and permits that are expiring can be automatically extended so people don't have to renew them in person. This change allows the state to keep people safe by reducing unnecessary trips to licensing offices during emergencies like pandemics or natural disasters.

make an appropriation for costs related to disasters in the state and to declare an emergency.

This bill sets aside nearly $9.9 million in state funding to cover disaster-related costs in South Dakota. The money goes into a special emergency fund that the Department of Public Safety can use to pay for disaster expenses, and the bill declares an emergency so the funding becomes available immediately rather than waiting for the next budget cycle.

make an appropriation for costs related to suppression of wildfires in the state and to declare an emergency.

HB1029 provides emergency funding to pay for wildfire suppression costs that the state has already incurred or will incur during the current fiscal year. The bill declares a state emergency to allow this money to be spent outside of the normal budget process.

grant the secretary of health certain authority during a public health emergency and to declare an emergency.

During a public health emergency, this bill gives South Dakota's Secretary of Health authority to take certain actions to protect public health without having to wait for the Legislature to approve each decision. The bill also establishes a process for declaring when a public health emergency exists so the Secretary can exercise these emergency powers.

provide emergency authority to counties, community improvement districts, and municipalities in the event of a public health crisis and to declare an emergency.

This bill gives county commissioners the power to declare public health emergencies in unincorporated areas of their counties by passing an ordinance that takes effect immediately. It also grants similar emergency declaration authority to community improvement districts and municipalities during public health crises. The bill essentially creates a legal mechanism for local governments to respond quickly to health emergencies without waiting for additional state approval.

review certain provisions regarding emergency management.

HB 1288 updates South Dakota's emergency management definitions to clarify what constitutes a "disaster" versus an "emergency" based on the severity of the event and the state resources needed to respond. The bill also ensures the terminology used in emergency management laws is consistent and current, though the specific language changes are largely technical adjustments to existing definitions.

authorize the provision of telecommunications device location information to law enforcement agencies.

This bill allows law enforcement agencies to request the location of cell phones from wireless carriers during emergencies—either to help provide emergency services or when someone faces immediate risk of death or serious injury. A senior officer at the agency must approve each request, and carriers must provide the location information immediately. The bill also protects wireless carriers from lawsuits when they share this information in good faith.

create the small business economic disaster relief subfund, to provide for the transfer of certain funds into the subfund, to authorize the Economic Development Finance Authority to make a grant to the subfund, to provide for the continuous appropriation of the subfund, and to declare an emergency.

SB 192 creates a new state fund called the Small Business Economic Disaster Relief Subfund to provide emergency financial help to small businesses affected by economic disasters. The bill authorizes the Economic Development Finance Authority to contribute grants to this fund and sets up automatic ongoing funding for it. This law was declared an emergency measure, meaning it took effect immediately rather than waiting for the normal effective date.

make an appropriation to upgrade the state radio infrastructure system and to declare an emergency.

HB1293 appropriates state funds to upgrade South Dakota's radio infrastructure system, which allows emergency responders and state agencies to communicate more effectively. The bill also declares an emergency, allowing the spending to take effect immediately rather than waiting for the normal effective date.

revise the authority of the Governor in times of a disaster, act of terrorism, or emergency and to declare an emergency.

This bill clarifies the Governor's emergency powers by explicitly protecting firearm ownership during disasters—the Governor cannot seize guns without the owner's permission, even when exercising broad emergency authority. It also confirms the Governor can suspend normal state regulations and take control of emergency response when facing disasters, terrorism, or emergencies beyond local government's ability to handle.