Search Bills

modify certain publishing requirements in official newspapers.

HB 1050 requires that legal notices published in newspapers must also appear on a statewide public notice website maintained by the South Dakota Newspaper Association, or alternatively, newspapers must post notices on their own websites in a free and accessible manner. The bill also clarifies that publication affidavits must plainly state the fees charged and requires the Bureau of Administration to annually review and adjust maximum legal publication fees based on economic conditions in the newspaper industry.

authorize the disclosure of protection and security expenditures for public officials.

This bill allows public officials' protection and security spending to be discussed in closed meetings rather than open public meetings. The change adds security expenditure information to the list of topics that government bodies can keep confidential during executive sessions while still making any final decisions about those expenses in public.

establish a website for the posting of notices for certain local governments.

This bill requires South Dakota's Bureau of Administration to create a searchable website where municipalities, counties, and school districts must post their meeting agendas, approved minutes, and any audio or video recordings. Local governments must post this information on the new website while continuing to follow all existing notice requirements under current law, with the same deadlines that apply to other posting methods.

establish requirements for public meeting notices and materials.

This bill updates South Dakota's requirements for how political subdivisions (like cities and counties) must announce public meetings. Going forward, notices must be posted at the subdivision's office and website simultaneously, must be visible and accessible for at least 24 hours before the meeting, and must include the proposed agenda and any required materials. For special or rescheduled meetings, the subdivision must also notify local news media who have requested notice.

establish requirements for livestreamed public meetings.

This bill requires South Dakota public bodies that livestream their meetings to use a website or platform that meets certain standards (though the specific standards aren't shown in this excerpt). The change adds new requirements to the state's open meetings law to ensure that livestreamed public meetings are accessible and meet defined quality standards.

provide opportunities for the questioning of the Governor and the congressional delegation.

This bill requires the Governor to hold an annual public question-and-answer session with all state legislators for at least one hour after delivering the State of the State address. It also creates a new requirement for South Dakota's U.S. Representatives and Senators to meet with the full Legislature in joint session for at least two hours each year to answer questions about federal government matters.

require a comment period for the attorney general's statement regarding initiated measures and initiated amendments.

SB 123 requires the South General's office to allow public comments before issuing its official statement about initiated measures and amendments that appear on the ballot. This change gives South Dakota voters and interested parties a chance to provide input before the state's top legal official publishes guidance on these ballot questions.

revise certain provisions regarding records that are not open to inspection and copying.

SB 147 clarifies which government records can be kept private and not available to the public, including student records, medical information, trade secrets from research institutions, attorney work product, and certain law enforcement investigation files. The bill updates South Dakota's public records law to specify that these sensitive categories of information remain protected from public inspection and copying requests. This essentially codifies and organizes existing exemptions to the state's open records requirements.

require reporting on aircraft usage for state purposes.

State agencies that operate or lease aircraft must now keep detailed flight logs recording the purpose, passengers, cost, funding source, and flight route for each trip. The Department of Transportation will collect these logs from all state agencies and submit a quarterly report to the legislative appropriations committee within 30 days of each quarter's end. This creates new transparency requirements so lawmakers can track how state aircraft are being used and what they cost.

modify the duties of the Code Commission.

The Code Commission will now include executive orders with statewide, continuing effect in official code supplements and reprinted volumes, in addition to the materials it currently publishes. This change clarifies that the Commission should include certain ongoing executive orders alongside the state constitution, statutes, court rules, and case annotations that already appear in these official legal publications.

require a copy of any initiated measure or amendment on the ballot be provided to voters.

South Dakota voters will now receive a full printed copy of any initiated measure or constitutional amendment they're voting on, not just the title and explanation. The sponsoring organization behind the initiated measure or amendment must pay for printing and mailing these copies to voters. This ensures voters have the complete text of what they're voting on before they cast their ballots.

revise provisions for public meetings held by teleconference.

This bill updates South Dakota's public meeting laws to accommodate teleconference meetings by requiring that meeting notices include instructions on how to join if all members are participating remotely. It also requires political subdivisions to provide at least one physical location where the public can listen to and participate in teleconference meetings.

require that assisted living facilities create and post visitation policies.

# HB 1139 Summary Assisted living facilities in South Dakota must develop written visitation policies and post them where residents and visitors can see them. This ensures transparency about visiting hours, procedures, and any restrictions facilities may have in place.

authorize the disclosure of certain expenditures for safety and security.

This bill modifies South Dakota's open meetings law to allow public bodies to discuss certain safety and security expenditures in closed meetings, rather than requiring all discussions to be public. The change updates which types of information can be kept confidential during executive sessions while still requiring that any official action on these matters happen in an open meeting.

provide for the release of adult abuse case information to certain parties to assist in the provision of adult protective services.

SB 31 allows adult protective services agencies and certain other parties to access confidential information from adult abuse cases to help them provide protective services to vulnerable adults. This change removes confidentiality barriers that previously prevented the sharing of case details needed to actually help abuse victims get the support and protection they need.

repeal the annual survey of schools regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation instruction.

SB45 eliminates an annual requirement for South Dakota schools to survey and report on whether they are teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instruction to students. Schools will no longer need to complete this yearly survey about their CPR training programs.

make an appropriation for the creation of a missing persons clearinghouse website and to declare an emergency.

HB 1269 appropriates state funding to create a new online missing persons clearinghouse website where information about missing people in South Dakota can be centralized and accessed. The bill updates state law (§41-6-8 and §41-6-81) to establish how this clearinghouse will operate and declares the funding an emergency appropriation so it can take effect immediately.

revise certain regulations pertaining to dealers of motor vehicles, boats, snowmobiles, or manufactured homes and mobile homes.

This bill makes dealer information for motor vehicle, boat, snowmobile, and manufactured home dealers publicly available through the state department, including their name, address, phone number, and license type. It also changes the fee for obtaining a vehicle or boat title history from the state and extends the record-keeping requirement for boat dealers from three to five years.

establish uniform complaint and declaratory ruling procedures for agencies regulating certain professions and occupations.

This bill creates a standardized complaint and investigation process for all state agencies that license professions and occupations (such as doctors, contractors, and other licensed professionals). The new rules define how complaints can be filed, who investigates them, and establish consistent procedures across all these licensing boards instead of each having their own separate system.

add nonvoting legislative members to the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority.

HB 1059 adds nonvoting legislative members to the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority board. This allows state legislators to participate in the authority's discussions and decisions without having voting power on board actions.

revise certain provisions regarding the South Dakota State Historical Society.

HB1078 updates the South Dakota State Historical Society's mission to specifically reference the "upper great plains" region and renames its museum facility to the "South Dakota State History Museum" for clarity. The bill also eliminates a section requiring periodic review and analysis of the Historical Society's operations. These changes modernize the Society's statutory language while removing an outdated reporting requirement.

direct the Department of Labor and Regulation to compile statistics related to poverty and workforce development on tribal lands.

HB 1107 directs South Dakota's Department of Labor and Regulation to gather and compile statistics about poverty levels and workforce development programs on tribal lands. This new requirement will create a better record of economic conditions and job training efforts in tribal communities across the state.

make an appropriation to improve the greatness of South Dakota and to declare an emergency.

This bill appropriates $1 from the state's general fund for the vague purpose of "enhancing the greatness of South Dakota" and declares the measure an emergency so it takes effect immediately upon passage. The small amount must be spent or committed by June 30, 2025, or it will be returned to the general fund according to standard state procedures.

create a requirement for the distribution of certain voter information.

South Dakota's Secretary of State and county auditors must now provide two options for distributing voter information related to absentee ballots: either a list of voters who have requested an absentee ballot, or a more detailed list showing voters who have requested, received, or returned an absentee ballot. This new requirement gives those seeking this voter information flexibility in choosing which level of detail they want to receive.

revise fiscal note requirements for initiative and initiated amendments.

HB 1249 changes the requirements for fiscal notes that must be prepared when South Dakota citizens propose ballot initiatives or constitutional amendments. The bill revises the rules in state law about what information and analysis must be included in these fiscal notes, which estimate the financial impact of proposed ballot measures.

provide price transparency for health care costs.

HB 1263 creates new rules requiring health insurers to provide patients with clear, upfront information about what they'll have to pay out-of-pocket for specific health care services, including deductibles and other cost-sharing amounts. The bill establishes definitions and standards for how insurers must calculate and communicate these costs to help patients understand their financial responsibility before receiving care.

regarding the standards of conduct for legislators.

This concurrent resolution (a non-binding statement of the legislature's values) establishes standards of conduct for South Dakota legislators, calling on them to act with integrity, loyalty to their duties, impartiality, and accountability both during legislative sessions and between them. The resolution emphasizes that legislators should uphold the state constitution, statutes, and legislative rules while maintaining public trust and never appearing to compromise their integrity. This is an aspirational statement rather than a law that creates new legal requirements or penalties.

provide for the confidentiality of personal information of persons affiliated with nonprofit corporations.

This bill creates a new privacy protection for people who support nonprofit organizations by prohibiting government agencies from demanding or obtaining lists of members, donors, volunteers, or supporters. Government agencies that violate this confidentiality rule face penalties, though the bill text excerpt does not specify what those penalties are.

revise certain provisions regarding voter registration records.

SB 116 requires county auditors to keep voter registration records open for public inspection while protecting sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and dates of birth from public view. The bill also clarifies that voter registration files must include when voters last voted and when their information was last updated, and sets a requirement that these files be updated at least monthly. These changes establish clearer rules about what voter registration information the public can access and how frequently registration records must be maintained.

revise certain provisions related to news media coverage of high school activities.

This bill prevents high school athletic associations from granting exclusive broadcast rights to any single media outlet for high school sports events. The change ensures that multiple news organizations can cover and broadcast high school interscholastic activities, rather than allowing an association to lock coverage rights to one broadcaster.

modify the meeting place and notice requirements for county commission meetings.

County commissions can now hold meetings at any suitable location in the county instead of being limited to the courthouse or usual court location. The bill also allows county commissioners to be notified of special meetings by phone or email in addition to mail, and permits emergency meetings to be called with just one day's notice by phone instead of three days' notice by mail.

add nonvoting legislative members to the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority.

SB 172 adds nonvoting legislative members to the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority board. This allows lawmakers to participate in the authority's discussions and decisions without being able to vote on them.

revise provisions related to the automatic removal of certain charges or convictions from a defendant's public record.

South Dakota currently allows automatic removal of minor criminal charges and convictions from public records after ten years, but this bill speeds up that process by reducing the waiting period to three years for petty offenses, municipal violations, and Class 2 misdemeanors. Class 1 misdemeanors still require the standard ten-year waiting period. The case records remain available to courts and law enforcement for prosecuting future crimes, even after public removal.

include a child's legal parents and guardians in the list of parties who may receive information related to reports of the child's abuse or neglect.

SB 5 expands who can receive information about child abuse or neglect reports by adding a child's legal parents and guardians to the list of parties with access to that information. This change ensures that parents and guardians are included in notifications about reports involving their children, rather than being excluded from that information.

revise notification requirements for listing and delisting species on the threatened and endangered species list.

SB 72 changes how South Dakota lists and delists threatened and endangered species by requiring the Game, Fish and Parks Commission to adopt formal administrative rules for any species additions or removals, rather than simply publishing a public notice. The bill maintains the existing 30-day public comment period and notification requirement to neighboring states where the species exists.

revise provisions regarding the sale of certain government owned vehicles by an auction agency.

This bill allows auction agencies to sell government-owned vehicles to the general public, but requires that these government vehicle sales be kept completely separate from regular dealer auctions—held on different days and in different physical locations with clear markings. Auction agencies must also provide the state department with a site plan showing how they're separating the two types of sales.

authorize the recall of county commissioners.

South Dakota voters would gain the power to remove county commissioners from office before their terms end through a recall election, if they gather signatures from either 15% of voters in the commissioner's district or 5% of county voters. The recall can only proceed if the petition specifies legitimate grounds such as misconduct, corruption, incompetence, or crimes in office, and signatures must be collected within 60 days before filing with the county auditor.

require that certain proposed rules include a housing cost impact statement.

State agencies must now prepare an "affordable housing impact statement" whenever they propose new rules that would affect housing costs, explaining how the rule impacts affordability, what compliance will cost per housing unit, and whether there are cheaper alternatives to achieve the same goal. The statement must be written in plain language and include information about reporting requirements and necessary professional skills, using only information the agency already has available. This adds a new review requirement to South Dakota's rule-making process to ensure housing affordability is considered before regulations take effect.

revise petition requirements and the criteria for issuance of a water right permit.

This bill changes when water right permit applications must be published for public notice. Under the new rule, applicants only need to publish notice if the chief engineer recommends approval or if the applicant has filed a petition opposing a denial recommendation—whereas previously notice may have been required in more situations. The bill also requires the department to post applications on its website until final action is taken.

authorize the State-Tribal Relations Committee to issue subpoenas.

HB 1103 gives the State-Tribal Relations Committee the power to issue subpoenas, which are legal orders requiring people to provide documents or testify. This allows the committee to compel attendance and gather information during its investigations or hearings involving state and tribal matters.

provide a limited time extension for the conduct of performance management reviews.

This bill allows the Government Operations and Audit Committee to postpone its performance reviews of state agencies by up to 180 days if the Governor declares a state of emergency and the committee decides it cannot conduct adequate reviews on schedule. The change gives state government flexibility to delay these mandatory three-year performance audits during emergencies without abandoning the review process entirely.

revise certain packaging and labeling requirements for medical cannabis.

This bill updates South Dakota's medical cannabis rules by requiring the state health department to create new scoring systems to fairly evaluate competing applications when more businesses apply for licenses than are allowed locally, and to establish clearer procedures for how the public can petition to add new medical conditions to the state's approved list. The changes also standardize application forms and require business plans to address patient safety, supply reliability, and affordability for low-income patients.

establish the Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons.

HB 1199 creates a new Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons within state government to coordinate efforts and services for Indigenous people who go missing or are murdered. This office will work to improve communication between law enforcement, tribal authorities, and other agencies to help address this crisis affecting Native American communities in South Dakota.

provide flexibility for certain municipal budget provisions.

South Dakota cities can now delay their annual budget deadline until their first regular governing board meeting in November, instead of the current earlier deadline. If a city chooses this later deadline, it must pass an ordinance setting new deadlines for budget hearings and public notices, and the city finance officer must still certify tax levies to the county by October 1st.

revise certain provisions regarding drones.

SB74 significantly overhauls South Dakota's drone regulations by repealing older drone-specific statutes and consolidating drone rules into updated sections of state law covering topics like definitions, registration, operations, and airspace restrictions. The bill expands and clarifies requirements for drone use, including rules about where and how drones can operate, what permits or permissions may be needed, and protections for privacy and public safety. Several outdated or duplicate drone provisions are removed entirely as part of this modernization of the state's drone regulatory framework.

require certain font size for initiated measure petitions and constitutional amendment petitions.

SB77 requires that petitions for initiated measures and constitutional amendments use a minimum font size to make them more readable for signers. The bill updates multiple sections of South Dakota law governing petition requirements and repeals several outdated petition-related statutes, consolidating and clarifying the rules for how citizens can propose changes to state law or the constitution.

require the provision of information regarding perinatal hospice.

South Dakota's Department of Health must create and post information on its website about perinatal hospice—a type of supportive care for pregnant women and families facing a diagnosis that their baby will die shortly after birth. The brochure will explain what services are available, note that medical assistance may cover these services, and provide information about grief counseling and support programs. This is a new requirement that doesn't change existing law but establishes a state mandate to inform families about this care option.

revise certain requirements regarding the review of initiated amendments to the Constitution and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota now requires people proposing constitutional amendments to submit their proposals to the Legislative Research Council at least six months before collecting signatures, so the council can review them for legal compliance and potential fiscal impacts. The council director must provide written feedback within 15 business days to help sponsors fix any problems with their proposed amendment before they start gathering signatures.

revise requirements relating to the publication of milk regulation ordinances.

This bill streamlines how counties and cities publish milk regulation ordinances by allowing them to post a notice of adoption instead of printing the full ordinance in a newspaper. The change applies to ordinances that adopt milk regulations from established national organizations, treating them the same way as building codes and other standard regulations already covered under this rule.

modify provisions regarding the State-Tribal Relations Committee.

This bill changes how the State-Tribal Relations Committee is led and composed by requiring the committee to have co-chairs (one from the House and one from the Senate) instead of a single chairman and vice-chairman. It also modifies how committee members are appointed so that each party gets representation proportional to their numbers in each legislative chamber, with the minority party guaranteed at least one seat.

revise certain provisions regarding inspections and seizures by, and forfeitures involving, the Department of Game, Fish and Parks.

HB1111 removes the Department of Game, Fish and Parks' authority to inspect hotels, restaurants, and storage facilities for illegal game and fish, and eliminates immunity protections that previously shielded law enforcement officers from liability when destroying illegal hunting or fishing equipment. The bill keeps the department's core power to seize and dispose of illegally taken wildlife and the tools used to take it, but narrows the scope of inspection authority and removes certain legal protections for officers.

To apply for a convention of states under Article V of the Constitution of the United States to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and to limit the terms of office for federal officials and members of Congress.

South Dakota is calling for a national convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to propose amendments that would impose spending limits on the federal government, reduce federal power, and establish term limits for members of Congress. The bill repeals an outdated state law provision (§7-8-16) as a technical cleanup. This resolution doesn't change any state laws directly but instead asks Congress to convene a constitutional convention with other states to address federal fiscal policy and government structure.

direct certain persons to notify funeral directors of communicable diseases or conditions.

This bill requires the person who completes a medical certificate of death to inform the funeral director if the deceased had a communicable disease that was declared a public health emergency by the state health department or the Governor. The requirement ensures funeral directors have advance notice of serious infectious diseases so they can take proper safety precautions when handling the body.

authorize the recovery of costs for defending certain initiated amendments in court.

HB 1062 allows South Dakota to recover legal costs when the state defends voter-approved ballot measures (initiated amendments) that are challenged in court. The bill reorganizes and updates the laws governing ballot measures and court proceedings related to them, removing some outdated sections while clarifying when the state can seek reimbursement for its legal defense expenses.

limit certain actions that may be taken by the executive branch relative to nonprofit corporations or charitable trusts.

South Dakota state agencies cannot impose filing or reporting requirements on nonprofits and charitable trusts that are stricter or broader than what state or federal law requires—unless the charity has received state money, is under investigation for fraud, or faces an enforcement action. This is a new restriction that prevents the executive branch from unilaterally making rules that go beyond existing legal requirements for these organizations.

modify certain duties of the secretary of tribal relations and establish an advisory council.

This bill adds new responsibilities to the Secretary of Tribal Relations, requiring annual reports to the State-Tribal Relations Committee and attendance at all of that committee's official meetings. The bill also creates a new advisory council made up of representatives from South Dakota's nine federally recognized tribes plus one representative from an urban community, with meetings required at least four times per year.

require that training on Native American law be provided to legislators and legislative staff.

This bill requires the Legislative Research Council to provide two hours of training on Native American law to newly elected legislators and research council staff. The council must also make training materials available to current legislators who want to take the course. This creates a new requirement where none existed before to ensure lawmakers have basic knowledge of Native American legal issues.

revise certain provisions regarding official meetings conducted by teleconference.

This bill modifies South Dakota's rules for government meetings held by teleconference to make voting procedures more flexible. Instead of requiring all votes to be taken by roll call, the bill allows votes to be taken by voice vote first, with a roll call vote only required if someone votes against the measure. The change makes teleconference meetings operate more like in-person meetings while still ensuring transparency when there is disagreement.

create the trust fund for unclaimed property and to provide for the transfer of certain unobligated cash balances.

South Dakota creates a new trust fund to hold unclaimed property money, with protections preventing the state from spending the principal except in emergencies or with a three-fourths legislative vote. Starting in fiscal year 2025, the state will transfer a portion of the trust fund's earnings to the general fund each year based on a 16-quarter average market value, with that money dedicated to improvements across South Dakota.

revise provisions regarding the South Dakota Capitol Complex Restoration and Beautification Commission.

HB1176 changes the makeup of the South Dakota Capitol Complex Restoration and Beautification Commission by reducing the Governor's appointed members from seven to five and adding two members appointed by the Great Plains Tribal Chairman's Association. The bill also clarifies the Commission's duties to include ensuring historical representation within the capitol complex, not just restoration and beautification.

establish a tribal flag display in the rotunda of the capitol building.

South Dakota will display the official flags of the state's nine federally recognized Indian tribes in the capitol building's rotunda. The Legislature will also hold a public ceremony during each legislative session to honor the flag display, with invited representatives from state government and each tribe participating. This creates a new permanent tribute to South Dakota's tribal nations in the capitol building.

authorize the review of certain executive orders issued by the President of the United States.

South Dakota's Legislative Research Council Executive Board can now review presidential executive orders that Congress hasn't approved and recommend to the state attorney general whether to challenge them in court. State agencies and officials are prohibited from implementing executive orders that restrict rights or are deemed unconstitutional if they involve pandemics, natural resources, agriculture, land use, environmental banking standards, or gun rights. This creates a new state-level review process for federal executive actions in these specific policy areas.

prohibit certain social media censorship.

HB1223 creates new South Dakota law allowing social media users (age 18+) to sue large social media platforms (those with over 75 million users) if they're censored based on political speech or content the user finds offensive. The bill defines "political speech" broadly to include speech about government, social issues, and candidate speech, and restricts platforms from removing such content or using algorithms to suppress it.

establish fees for information provided from the statewide voter registration file.

HB 1229 establishes new fees that organizations and individuals must pay to obtain voter registration information from South Dakota's statewide voter file. The bill amends the law governing access to this voter data to specify what these fees will be and how they apply to different types of requests for voter information.

create provisions regarding technology and privacy.

HB1257 expands South Dakota's technology and privacy protections by amending existing law to add new provisions governing how technology and personal information are handled. The bill makes substantial changes to state law on this topic, though the specific requirements are detailed in the amended statute. This legislation aims to strengthen privacy safeguards related to technology use in the state.

To reauthorize the Mental Health Services Delivery Task Force for the limited purposes of monitoring the growth and development of current initiatives in the delivery of mental health services, reviewing and proposing adjustments to the levels of funding, and ensuring that the statutory and regulatory framework complements intended outcomes.

HCR 6008 extends the life of the Mental Health Services Delivery Task Force, a state committee that monitors how mental health services are being delivered and developed in South Dakota. The task force will now focus on tracking progress of current mental health initiatives, recommending changes to funding levels, and making sure state laws and regulations support the intended outcomes of these services.

codify legislation enacted in 2020.

This bill updates South Dakota's official legal code to include the 2020 versions of volumes 6 and 7, replacing the older 2004 and 2010 editions that were previously listed. The change ensures that the state's official code reflects the most recent legislation enacted in 2020 for those volumes.

provide procedures to enforce the United States Constitution.

South Dakota creates a new Joint Legislative Committee on Constitutional Enforcement to review federal laws, regulations, executive orders, and court decisions to determine whether they exceed the powers the U.S. Constitution actually grants to the federal government. The committee will assess whether federal actions violate the Constitution's limits on federal power or infringe on state sovereignty. This is a new process for the state legislature to formally challenge federal actions it deems unconstitutional.

revise contracting procedure options for certain highway construction contracts.

This bill gives the South Dakota Department of Transportation three different methods to contract for highway construction projects on the trunk highway system: traditional design-bid-build, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contracts, and emergency procurement—instead of the previous requirement to always award contracts to the lowest competent bidder. The bill also allows the Transportation Commission to set rules about how bids are advertised, how contractors are qualified, and how bids are submitted and accepted.

enforce directives regarding contagious disease control.

SB3 removes the expiration date on South Dakota's contagious disease control and enforcement powers, allowing the state health department to maintain these authorities permanently instead of them ending on a set date. This means the Department of Health can continue enforcing disease control measures without needing the legislature to repeatedly renew the authorization.

revise provisions regarding the legislative redistricting process.

This bill updates South Dakota's redistricting guidelines to emphasize that counties and municipalities should be respected as geographical and political boundaries when the Legislature redraws legislative districts. The change adds "respect for geographical and political boundaries, specifically, counties and municipalities" as a primary principle that lawmakers must consider during the 2021 redistricting process, alongside other requirements like keeping districts compact and protecting minority voting rights.

modify the composition of the Retirement Laws Committee.

South Dakota's Retirement Laws Committee will now have its members appointed based on each party's proportional strength in the legislature, rather than simply limiting one party to no more than three seats. This ensures minority party representation while reflecting the actual party balance in both the House and Senate.

Proposing to disapprove Executive Order 2021-03 as set forth on pages 52 to 64, inclusive, of the Senate Journal.

This resolution asks the South Dakota Senate to disapprove Executive Order 2021-03 issued by the Governor, effectively rejecting the executive action. If approved, the resolution would overturn the order and prevent it from remaining in effect as state policy.

identify Water Management Board officers, authorize appointment of a prehearing officer, and define the duties of the prehearing officer.

HB 1027 clarifies that the Water Management Board's officers are a chair, vice chair, and secretary, and allows the board to appoint one of its members as a prehearing officer to handle preliminary matters like motions, scheduling, and subpoenas. The bill also creates a process where parties can appeal the prehearing officer's decisions to the full board within ten days.

modify identification requirements for a marriage license and to provide certain provisions for a name change.

This bill updates what documents people can use to prove their identity when applying for a marriage license—accepting passports, government photo IDs, birth certificates paired with school or work IDs, or a specific Treasury form, instead of just birth certificates or photo IDs. It also clarifies that people can use marriage to legally change their surname to their spouse's last name or a hyphenated combination, but they cannot change their first or middle names or choose an unrelated surname through this process.

modify certain requirements for domestic not-for-profit corporations and to declare an emergency.

HB 1090 expands the types of emergencies that allow nonprofit corporations to adopt special emergency bylaws—changing the definition from just attacks on the U.S. or nuclear disasters to include any "national security, national health, or other declared emergency." The bill also allows nonprofit corporations to hold member meetings electronically or at any location (in or outside South Dakota) if their bylaws permit it, rather than requiring all meetings at the corporation's registered office in South Dakota.

revise the authority of the Department of Health as it relates to counties and municipalities.

This bill clarifies that counties and municipalities cannot override or bypass the South Dakota Department of Health's authority over public health matters. The change removes language that gave municipalities broad power to act on health issues, replacing it with a more limited authority that must stay within the bounds of state health department rules.

revise certain provisions related to telecommunications companies.

This bill clarifies how South Dakota regulates telecommunications companies by defining "noncompetitive service" as monopoly services where only one provider exists or where regulation is needed to keep local phone service affordable. The bill also requires the Public Utilities Commission to set quality-of-service standards for these noncompetitive services to ensure they remain fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory across all telecommunications carriers in the state.

create the state IT modernization fund, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.

HB 1281 creates a new state IT modernization fund to pay for updating South Dakota's information technology systems and infrastructure. The bill appropriates money to this fund and declares it an emergency measure so the funding can take effect immediately rather than waiting for the normal budget process.

Proposing and submitting to the voters at the 2022 general election a new section to Article XII of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, relating to the creation and administration of the South Dakota forever trust fund.

This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to create the South Dakota Forever Trust Fund, which would be submitted to voters in the 2022 general election. The amendment would establish a new section in the state constitution to govern how this trust fund is created and managed. If approved by voters, this would allow South Dakota to establish a permanent investment fund (similar to endowments used by universities or foundations).

On the potential impeachment of Jason Ravnsborg, Attorney General of the State of South Dakota.

This bill changes the qualifications required for members of the State Board of Regents by clarifying that regents must be selected from among "the best known citizens" and residents of different portions of the state, with no more than six members from the same political party. The amendment updates the language in state law to emphasize that regents should be persons of "probity and wisdom" chosen from diverse geographic areas of South Dakota.

eliminate the exemption from the perpetual care funds provisions for certain cemeteries.

SB 106 removes a special exemption that certain cemeteries previously had from South Dakota's perpetual care fund requirements. This means those cemeteries will now be required to follow the same rules as other cemeteries regarding setting aside money to maintain the cemetery in perpetuity.

provide protections for the exercise of religious freedom.

This bill creates a new law protecting religious freedom by preventing state agencies, local governments, and their officials from substantially restricting how people practice their religion unless the government has a compelling reason and no less restrictive way to achieve it. The law also requires that religious practices be treated no more strictly than similar non-religious practices, and people who believe their religious freedom has been violated can sue in court and recover attorney's fees if they win. This gives South Dakota residents a legal tool to challenge government actions they believe unfairly burden their religious exercise.

provide for the reimbursement of lost revenue for businesses forcibly closed by a governmental entity.

# SB 137 Summary This bill creates a new requirement that the state reimburse businesses for revenue they lose when a government entity forcibly closes them. The reimbursement would compensate owners for the income they couldn't earn while their business was shut down by government order.

revise the process of filling vacancies for candidates for elected office.

This bill clarifies how South Dakota parties fill candidate vacancies that occur after primary elections due to death or withdrawal. For statewide offices and presidential electors, the State Party Central Committee fills the vacancy, while for all other offices, only county party central committee members who live in the affected district vote to fill the vacancy. The bill also specifies that the party State Central Committee chairman must issue the meeting notice by mail and designate when and where the meeting will be held.

make an appropriation to implement provisions concerning the legalization, regulation, and taxation of marijuana, and to declare an emergency.

This bill appropriates state funding to implement a new system for legalizing, regulating, and taxing marijuana in South Dakota. The measure declares an emergency, meaning it would take effect immediately rather than waiting for the standard delayed effective date. The bill itself doesn't show the specific regulatory details in the excerpt provided, but it allocates money to set up the legal framework and government oversight for marijuana sales and taxation.

revise provisions regarding public access to certain meandered bodies of water.

SB 76 revises South Dakota's rules for public access to meandered bodies of water by making significant changes to how the state regulates and manages these waterways. The bill repeals several outdated statutory sections and substantially rewrites existing laws governing water access, public rights, and related responsibilities across multiple state agencies. Overall, the changes modernize and consolidate the state's framework for ensuring public access to meandered water bodies like lakes and rivers.

make an appropriation to the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota provides $3.2 million to the Ellsworth Development Authority to build the Liberty Center Wellness Facility near Ellsworth Air Force Base. The bill declares an emergency so the money can be spent immediately rather than following the normal appropriations process. Any funds not spent or committed will be returned to the state's general fund.

revise the minimum cost of living adjustment and revise terminology of the South Dakota Retirement System.

# HB1032 Summary This bill increases the minimum cost of living adjustment for South Dakota Retirement System members and updates the official terminology used to describe the retirement system. The changes ensure retirees receive higher annual adjustments to help keep their pensions aligned with inflation.

update certain provisions relating to the South Dakota Retirement System, to revise certain provisions relating to reemployment after retirement with the South Dakota Retirement System, and to declare an emergency.

HB 1033 changes the rules for when retired members of the South Dakota Retirement System can go back to work for a government employer. The bill clarifies that retirees must have a complete break from any employment with their former employer for three consecutive calendar months after retirement before they can be rehired as a permanent full-time employee, and it allows some exceptions to this separation requirement.

correct technical errors in certain code cross-references regarding the Department of Game, Fish and Parks.

This bill fixes outdated or broken references in South Dakota law that point to rules about the Department of Game, Fish and Parks. The changes are technical corrections only—they don't alter any actual policies or rules, just make sure the legal code's internal references are accurate and up to date.

transfer the Office of Indian Education to the Department of Education.

HB 1044 moves the Office of Indian Education from its current location to become part of the Department of Education, consolidating Native American education oversight under one state agency. This change streamlines the state's education administration by placing Indian education programs and services within the broader K-12 education system rather than as a separate office.

allow succession to real property by an affidavit.

HB1086 allows people to transfer real property (land and buildings) to heirs using a simpler legal process called an affidavit, rather than going through the full court-supervised probate process. This change amends South Dakota's property succession law to make it faster and less expensive for families to transfer property when someone dies.

provide for the appointment of members of the Senate and House of Representatives to the South Dakota Capitol Complex Restoration and Beautification Commission.

HB1105 allows the South Dakota Legislature to appoint members from both the Senate and House of Representatives to serve on the Capitol Complex Restoration and Beautification Commission. This gives lawmakers direct input into decisions about renovating and improving the state capitol building and its grounds.

make an appropriation to support the Ellsworth Air Force Base and to declare an emergency.

# HB 1166 Summary The state legislature is appropriating funds to support Ellsworth Air Force Base and declaring an emergency to enable the immediate use of those funds. The specific dollar amount and details of how the money will be used are not included in the provided text excerpt.

appropriate coronavirus relief fund moneys for family visitation rooms.

HB 1216 directs South Dakota to use federal coronavirus relief funding to build or improve family visitation rooms, likely in state facilities like prisons or hospitals. The bill amends the existing coronavirus relief fund law to specify this new allowable use of those emergency dollars.

To acknowledge and honor the Native American children who were survivors of the boarding schools in this state.

This is a House concurrent resolution that honors and acknowledges Native American children who survived boarding schools in South Dakota—it is not a law change but rather a formal statement of recognition by the legislature. The resolution does not create new legal requirements or modify existing statutes; it serves as a symbolic gesture to remember this difficult historical chapter.

Proposing and submitting to the voters at the 2022 primary election a new section to Article XII of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, relating to the creation and administration of a trust fund using the net receipts from unclaimed property.

# HJR 5004 Summary This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment for South Dakota voters to approve at the 2022 primary election that would create a trust fund using money from unclaimed property held by the state. The amendment would establish how this fund is created and managed under the state constitution.

revise certain provisions related to cooperatives.

SB 108 updates South Dakota's cooperative laws to modernize member participation by allowing members to attend and vote at cooperative meetings through virtual communication methods (like video conferencing) rather than requiring in-person attendance. The bill also adjusts the notice period for special member meetings from "not less than ten nor more than thirty days" to "no fewer than ten nor more than sixty days" before the meeting. These changes make it easier for cooperative members to participate while giving cooperatives more flexibility in how they conduct meetings.

establish requirements for filling the vacancies of certain constitutional offices.

SB 112 reorganizes how South Dakota fills vacancies in constitutional offices by renumbering the existing appointment procedures. The bill clarifies that the Governor appoints constitutional officers like the Attorney General and Secretary of State (with Senate approval), while county commissioners handle county office vacancies and special district boards fill their own vacancies—keeping the same rules but with updated section numbers for clearer legal reference.