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make an appropriation to fund certain small meat processor grants and to declare an emergency.

The state will provide grants to small meat processing businesses to help them grow or improve operations. The bill declares this funding need an emergency so the money can be distributed quickly without waiting for the normal budget approval process.

revise the property tax exemption amount for certain agricultural property.

This bill increases the property tax exemption for agricultural buildings from $10,000 to $100,000 in value, meaning farmers can shield a larger portion of their farm structures from property taxes. The exemption still requires that the farm has a dwelling occupied by the owner, a relative, or trust beneficiary for at least six months per year, and each farm can only claim one exemption.

revise the qualifications of Game, Fish and Parks commissioners.

This bill changes the qualifications for Game, Fish and Parks commissioners by requiring at least four commissioners to be farmers deriving at least two-thirds of their income from agriculture, and adds a new geographic requirement that three commissioners must live west of the Missouri River and five must live east of it. The bill also removes language about political party rotation in favor of a simpler rule that no more than four commissioners can belong to the same political party.

make an appropriation to the Board of Technical Education for a new precision agriculture facility and to declare an emergency.

HB1152 appropriates state funds to the Board of Technical Education to build a new precision agriculture facility. The bill also declares an emergency, which allows the funding to take effect immediately rather than waiting for the normal effective date.

classify land used for horse husbandry as agricultural property for tax purposes.

SB 113 allows land used for raising horses to qualify for agricultural property tax rates, the same way farmland and ranches do. This change means horse operations will receive lower property tax assessments based on their agricultural use rather than being taxed at higher residential or commercial rates.

Supporting trade negotiations to remove barriers to country of origin labelling.

# SCR 604 Summary This resolution expresses South Dakota's support for trade negotiations aimed at removing barriers to country of origin labeling requirements. The resolution urges federal and state officials to prioritize eliminating trade restrictions that prevent businesses from clearly labeling where their products are produced.

authorize the Board of Regents to contract for the design and construction of a new dairy research and extension farm on the campus of South Dakota State University, together with equipment and furnishings, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.

# HB 1153 Summary South Dakota State University's Board of Regents is authorized to hire contractors to design and build a new dairy research and extension farm on the SDSU campus, including all equipment and furnishings needed for the facility. The state will provide funding for this project, which has been declared an emergency to allow it to move forward quickly.

provide an appropriation for a study regarding the future renovation and expansion of the Meat Laboratory on the campus of South Dakota State University and to declare an emergency.

SB 191 appropriates state funding for South Dakota State University to conduct a study on plans to renovate and expand the university's Meat Laboratory. The bill repeals an existing statute (§7-8-16) and declares the funding need an emergency to allow immediate spending.

exempt health benefit plans sponsored by nonprofit agricultural organizations from insurance regulation.

# SB 87 Summary Nonprofit agricultural organizations would no longer have to follow South Dakota's insurance regulations when offering health benefit plans to their members. This exemption allows these organizations to sponsor health plans without the oversight and requirements that typically apply to insurance companies in the state.

To provide for an interim study regarding foreign ownership of agricultural land.

The legislature will conduct an interim study to examine issues related to foreign ownership of agricultural land in South Dakota. The study will involve changes to state law provisions governing foreign land ownership, as reflected in amendments to two sections of state code dealing with agricultural land restrictions.