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create a Commission on Indian Affairs.

South Dakota creates a new Commission on Indian Affairs to improve services for American Indians in the state and strengthen communication between the state government and the nine federally recognized tribes in South Dakota. The commission will have ten voting members—one from the state's Department of Tribal Relations and one representative from each of the nine tribes, with each tribe selecting its own representative. This new commission is not authorized to override or interfere with any existing negotiations or relationships between Indian tribes and other governments.

permit certain acts at a school honoring or graduation ceremony.

This bill prevents South Dakota schools and local governments from banning Native American students from wearing traditional tribal regalia—such as eagle feathers, eagle plumes, or beaded graduation caps—or from singing honor songs at graduation and honoring ceremonies. The law clarifies that these cultural items and practices are permitted at school events, removing any authority schools previously had to prohibit them.

revise provisions related to tribal identification cards.

This bill makes tribal identification cards officially acceptable throughout South Dakota wherever a driver's license or state ID card is used for financial transactions, check cashing, and age verification. The bill clarifies that valid tribal ID cards must be issued by a state-recognized tribe, contain the holder's legal name, date of birth, signature, and photo, and be unexpired.

provide for the creation and funding of Oceti Sakowin community-based schools.

South Dakota creates a new type of charter school called "Oceti Sakowin charter schools" that teach Native American history and culture using the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings and Standards. These schools can be approved by either the state Department of Education or a local school district, and applicants must submit detailed plans covering the school's mission, structure, finances, and how they'll measure success. This establishes the legal framework for establishing and funding these community-based schools focused on Native American education.

provide that Native American populations be protected in the legislative redistricting process.

SB 159 requires the state to consider the interests and representation of Native American populations when redrawing legislative district lines during the redistricting process. The bill amends the redistricting law to help ensure that Native American communities are protected and fairly represented in the new districts created after each census.

require schools to provide instruction on South Dakota's tribal history, culture, and government.

South Dakota schools must now include instruction on tribal history, culture, and government in their curriculum. This change amends the state's education requirements to ensure students learn about South Dakota's Native American tribes and their place in the state's past and present. The bill expands what schools are required to teach about the people and communities that are central to South Dakota's identity.

Supporting the repeal of the Sioux - Dakota Removal Act.

HCR 6002 is a concurrent resolution calling on the federal government to repeal the Sioux-Dakota Removal Act, a historical federal law that authorized the removal of Native American tribes from their lands. This resolution doesn't change South Dakota state law itself, but rather expresses the state legislature's position supporting the repeal of this federal legislation.

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.

authorize federally recognized Indian tribes to receive PEACE funds.

# HB1194 Summary Federally recognized Indian tribes in South Dakota are now eligible to receive PEACE funds, which appear to be state grant money previously limited to other entities. This change allows tribes to apply for and receive this funding to support their communities and programs.

transfer certain funds, make an appropriation to provide horse racing relays, and to declare an emergency.

The Gaming Commission transfers up to $120,000 total from horse racing funds to the state's general fund. The state then appropriates $60,000 from the general fund to the Department of Tribal Relations to award grants for horse racing relay programs in South Dakota.

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 the membership and responsibilities of the South Dakota Board on Geographic Names.

This bill revises the South Dakota Board on Geographic Names by changing its membership to include the secretary of tribal relations as a voting member and representatives from six state departments (instead of the previous structure). The board's responsibilities remain focused on reviewing proposed geographic names, gathering public input, and making recommendations to the federal Board on Geographic Names, but the bill also adds a new requirement for public meetings when naming unnamed geographic places.

In support of rescinding the Medals of Honor given to United States soldiers for the involvement and participation of the soldiers in the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890.

This resolution calls on the federal government to rescind the Medals of Honor that were awarded to U.S. soldiers for their role in the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre of Lakota people in South Dakota. The resolution does not change state law itself, but rather expresses South Dakota's position that these medals should be returned or revoked due to the soldiers' participation in this historical tragedy.

establish certain requirements to maintain state compliance with the Master Settlement Agreement.

South Dakota is strengthening enforcement of the Master Settlement Agreement (a national tobacco lawsuit agreement) by making cigarette importers legally responsible alongside tobacco manufacturers for depositing money into escrow accounts. The bill also requires tobacco manufacturers to post surety bonds (financial guarantees) with the state attorney general before their products can be sold in South Dakota, with bond amounts based on their previous deposit obligations or a minimum of $25,000.

revise provisions regarding the qualifications to serve on the Game, Fish and Parks Commission.

South Dakota is changing the rules for who can serve on the Game, Fish and Parks Commission by requiring applicants to submit financial statements so officials can verify they meet all qualifications—including being a farmer earning at least two-thirds of their income from crops or livestock if they're one of the four required farmer members. The bill also clarifies that applicants who don't meet these qualifications cannot be nominated for the commission.

Supporting the Recovering America's Wildlife Act.

HCR 6011 is a resolution expressing South Dakota's support for the federal Recovering America's Wildlife Act, which would provide funding to states for wildlife conservation and habitat restoration projects. The resolution makes a minor amendment to state law to align with this position, though the specific details of that amendment are not clearly shown in the provided text. This is a symbolic measure showing the state's backing for increased federal wildlife funding rather than a substantive change to how South Dakota manages its own wildlife.