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establish the Dakota's promise scholarship program and the Dakota's promise fund.

HB1266 creates a new scholarship program called Dakota's Promise to help South Dakota students pay for higher education, funded through a dedicated Dakota's Promise Fund. The bill establishes the framework and funding mechanism for this scholarship program, though the excerpt provided doesn't contain the specific details about eligibility requirements or award amounts.

provide a transfer of funds for the postsecondary scholarship grant fund and to declare an emergency.

SB 166 transfers funds to the postsecondary scholarship grant fund, which provides financial aid to South Dakota students pursuing higher education. The bill declares this transfer an emergency measure, allowing it to take effect immediately rather than waiting for the standard effective date. The amendment modifies the law governing how these scholarship funds are allocated and managed.

establish the Dakota's promise scholarship program, to establish the Dakota's promise fund, to make an appropriation, and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota would create a new scholarship program called Dakota's Promise that provides financial aid to eligible South Dakota residents attending accredited colleges and universities in the state. To qualify, students must be South Dakota high school graduates who receive a federal Pell Grant and score at least twenty-two on the ACT test. The Board of Regents would manage the program and report its results to the Legislature.

establish a nonbeneficiary student scholarship program for certain students attending tribally controlled colleges and to make an appropriation therefor.

HB 1217 creates a new scholarship program for students who are not tribal members but are attending tribally controlled colleges in South Dakota. The state will provide financial support to help these non-member students pay for their education at these institutions. The bill also includes an appropriation (funding allocation) to pay for this scholarship program.

revise a provision regarding eligibility for the South Dakota opportunity scholarship.

SB 167 changes the eligibility requirements for the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship program by amending the rules that determine who can receive this financial aid. The specific details of how eligibility is being revised are not fully shown in the provided text excerpt, but the bill modifies existing scholarship eligibility standards in state law.

authorize certain tribal members to attend certain institutions of higher education or postsecondary technical institutes without payment of tuition.

This bill allows enrolled members of federally recognized Indian tribes located in or partially in South Dakota to attend state universities or technical institutes tuition-free for up to four years of undergraduate study. Students must first use any federal tuition assistance they qualify for before the state covers their tuition costs. This creates a new tuition waiver program that didn't previously exist in South Dakota law.

establish certain restrictions regarding the state subsidized dual credit program.

South Dakota's state-subsidized dual credit program, which allows high school juniors and seniors to take college courses, will now be limited to classes that count toward general education requirements rather than allowing any college course. The bill also sets the state's share of tuition costs at two-thirds of a reduced tuition rate (set at 43% of regular undergraduate tuition), with students paying one-third and their school district able to cover the student's portion if it chooses.

establish certain restrictions regarding funds from the state subsidized dual credit program for certain students.

This bill makes students financially responsible for the full cost of dual credit courses if they fail or withdraw after the deadline, whereas previously the state and student shared costs regardless of completion. The bill maintains the existing cost-sharing formula (33.3% student, 66.7% state) for students who successfully complete their courses.

cap increases in the rates of tuition for certain institutions.

SB 177 limits how much South Dakota colleges and universities can increase tuition each year by capping tuition rate hikes under state law. This prevents institutions from raising tuition costs beyond a set amount annually, making higher education more predictable and affordable for students and families.

include children with a hearing loss in the reporting criteria required for deaf and hard-of-hearing children.

HB 1228 expands South Dakota's reporting requirements for deaf and hard-of-hearing children to now include children with hearing loss, broadening the population covered under state law. The bill modifies several sections of law related to deaf and hard-of-hearing services and removes two outdated provisions that are no longer needed.

revise the conditions for dual credit and to provide an appropriation.

This bill directs the South Dakota Legislature to examine dual credit courses (classes that allow high school students to earn college credit). The bill appropriates $1 to the Department of Education to support dual credit programs, with the secretary of education authorized to approve related expenses.

revise certain state post-secondary requirements for dual credit and to make an appropriation therefor.

This bill appropriates $1 to the state's dual credit program, which allows high school students to earn college credits while still in high school. The bill modifies state requirements for how the dual credit program operates, though the specific regulatory changes are referenced but not detailed in this excerpt. Any unused funds must be returned to the state by June 30, 2021.

revise certain provisions regarding the Board of Technical Education.

This bill updates references to the governing board for South Dakota's technical institutes, replacing the old name "Board of Education Standards" with the new name "Board of Technical Education" throughout state law. The bill also clarifies that general education course credits earned at technical institutes can transfer to universities under the Board of Regents, and vice versa, as long as they meet accreditation standards. Additionally, it maintains the National Guard tuition benefit for eligible South Dakota residents attending technical institute programs.

increase the financial empowerment of state residents.

HB 1062 directs South Dakota's state treasurer to develop and promote financial education programs for seven groups of residents, including college and high school students, people with disabilities, those living in poverty, veterans, active military members, and retirees. The bill also creates a new fund supported by private donations and grants that will provide ongoing money for these financial empowerment programs.