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

South Dakota is appropriating state money to pay for wildfire suppression efforts during the 2021 budget year. The bill also declares an emergency, which allows the state to respond quickly to wildfire costs without going through the normal budget approval process.

temporarily require the wearing of face coverings in the state under certain conditions and to declare an emergency.

This bill requires people to wear face coverings over their nose and mouth in indoor retail businesses and city-owned facilities when six-foot social distancing cannot be maintained, with exceptions for young children, people eating or drinking, those receiving medical care, and people with medical conditions that prevent mask-wearing. The bill specifies that acceptable face coverings include paper masks, cloth masks, scarves, bandanas, or neck gaiters. The requirement is temporary and declared an emergency measure.

make an appropriation for the improvement of the radio system in South Dakota and to declare an emergency.

HB 1265 appropriates state funding to improve South Dakota's radio system for emergency communications and other state uses. The bill makes significant changes to the laws governing radio system management and operations, declaring this funding need an emergency so the money can be spent immediately rather than waiting for the next budget cycle.

appropriate coronavirus funds and to declare an emergency.

SB133 authorizes South Dakota to accept and spend federal coronavirus relief funds by creating a $1 placeholder in state budget authority that allows the state to process payments for these federal dollars. The bill declares an emergency so the law takes effect immediately, and any unspent coronavirus funds must be returned to the federal government by June 30, 2025.

allow for the consideration of certain instruction to count towards the minimum number of hours required in a school term during a declared state of emergency.

During a declared state of emergency, South Dakota schools can now count certain types of instruction toward the minimum number of instructional hours required in a school term, rather than requiring all instruction to occur in traditional classroom settings. This gives schools flexibility to use alternative instruction methods (such as remote or hybrid learning) while still meeting state requirements for school terms during emergencies. The change recognizes that emergencies may make it impossible to hold a full traditional school calendar while still ensuring students receive adequate instruction.

make an appropriation for the reconstruction of the emergency vehicle operations course and to declare an emergency.

HB 1268 provides state funding to rebuild South Dakota's emergency vehicle operations course, which trains drivers in high-speed driving techniques for emergency responders. The bill declares an emergency to allow the funds to be appropriated and spent immediately rather than waiting for the normal budget cycle.

revise an appropriation regarding the fire insurance premium tax.

This bill changes how money from the fire insurance premium tax is divided up, shifting from a fixed $30,000 annual amount to 10 percent of whatever tax is actually collected each year for the South Dakota Firefighters Association's training programs. The remaining funds continue to be distributed to fire departments and other recipients as before, ensuring each department gets at least what it received in 1989.

continue the prohibition on the seizure of firearms and ammunitions.

South Dakota law now prohibits state agencies and local governments from seizing, regulating, or restricting firearms, ammunition, and related equipment during emergencies, disasters, or other crises—even if they would normally have legal authority to do so. The law also prevents these officials from suspending concealed carry permits or rejecting permit applications that meet legal requirements. This puts a blanket protection on gun ownership and carry rights that overrides other emergency powers government might otherwise use.

make an appropriation to provide for a crisis stabilization unit and to declare an emergency.

SB 144 appropriates state funding to establish a crisis stabilization unit, which is a facility designed to provide short-term mental health and behavioral support to people in crisis as an alternative to emergency room visits or hospitalization. The bill declares this funding an emergency appropriation, meaning the money becomes available immediately rather than waiting for the standard budget cycle.

make an appropriation to improve South Dakota and to declare an emergency.

This bill appropriates $1 from South Dakota's general fund to improve the state's overall wellbeing, with any unused funds reverting back by June 30, 2025. The bill declares an emergency so it takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature, rather than waiting for the usual effective date.