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make an appropriation to continue the veteran's bonus program and to declare an emergency.

This bill appropriates (allocates) state funds to continue South Dakota's veteran's bonus program, which provides financial bonuses to eligible veterans. The bill also declares an emergency, allowing the funding to take effect immediately rather than waiting for the normal effective date.

increase the allowable reimbursement for certain headstones for military personnel.

South Dakota will increase the amount of money it reimburses for headstones for deceased military personnel. This change updates the existing reimbursement limit in state law to allow for higher costs of military headstones.

make an appropriation for capital improvements to the State Veterans' Home and to declare an emergency.

HB 1276 appropriates state funding for capital improvements to the State Veterans' Home facility. The bill declares an emergency, allowing the funds to be spent immediately rather than waiting for the normal budget process. This ensures veterans' home infrastructure upgrades can proceed without delay.

make an appropriation to the Department of Veterans Affairs for the South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery and to declare an emergency.

SB188 provides funding to the Department of Veterans Affairs for the South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery and removes a law that is no longer needed (by repealing §7-8-16). The bill also declares an emergency so the funding can be used right away.

appropriate funds to support Veterans Memorial Centers in South Dakota and to declare an emergency.

SB 84 allocates $2.5 million from the state's general fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay for designing and building Veterans Memorial Centers across South Dakota. The bill declares an emergency so the money can be spent immediately rather than waiting for the normal budget process.

create an exception to the dual compensation prohibition for state employees for military service.

SB 65 allows state employees to receive both their state salary and military pay at the same time, creating an exception to South Dakota's rule that normally prevents state employees from collecting two paychecks simultaneously. This change specifically applies to employees who are serving in the military, allowing them to maintain their state job benefits while receiving military compensation.

establish resident tuition requirements for veterans and armed forces personnel and family members.

This bill expands who qualifies for resident tuition rates at South Dakota colleges and universities by adding active duty armed forces members stationed in the state and their spouses or children, while also simplifying the rules for veterans' families. Previously, only veterans could automatically get resident tuition without meeting the standard twelve-month residency requirement; now active duty military members and their family members get the same benefit if they are stationed in South Dakota. The bill also eliminates a separate law that previously addressed armed forces personnel tuition rates.

authorize the designation of Purple Star schools.

South Dakota schools can now earn a "Purple Star" designation if they meet requirements to support military-connected students, including appointing a military liaison, providing relevant information on their website, and offering transition programs and staff training. This new designation recognizes schools that go above and beyond in welcoming and supporting students with military family backgrounds as they enroll and adjust to a new school community.

make an appropriation for the installation of a sprinkler system at the State Veterans' Cemetery and to declare an emergency.

HB 1277 appropriates state funding to install a sprinkler system at the State Veterans' Cemetery. The bill declares an emergency so the project can move forward immediately without waiting for the normal appropriations process.

authorize the construction of a National Guard Readiness Center in Sioux Falls, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota will build a new National Guard Readiness Center in Sioux Falls and provide state funding to pay for its construction. The bill declares an emergency to speed up the project's approval and implementation.

revise certain provisions regarding revenues generated by and donations to the South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery, and to declare an emergency.

SB 180 removes an existing law (§7-8-16) that governed how money and donations to the South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery were handled. The bill treats this change as urgent enough to take effect immediately rather than waiting for the normal start date.

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.

authorize certain children who are subject to a military relocation to be eligible for registration with a state-approved distance learning provider.

Children whose parents are ordered to relocate to a military base in South Dakota can now enroll in state-approved distance learning programs immediately when the military transfer order is issued, rather than waiting until after the move is complete. This allows families to maintain educational continuity during their relocation by having the receiving school district register them with an approved online provider as soon as the transfer order takes effect.

remove fishing and small game license fees for certain senior residents.

Senior residents in South Dakota will no longer have to pay fees for fishing and small game hunting licenses. This removes a cost that previously applied to these older residents who want to hunt or fish in the state.

make an appropriation for road improvements leading to the State Veterans Cemetery and to declare an emergency.

SB181 appropriates state funds to improve roads leading to the State Veterans Cemetery. The bill also repeals an existing law (§7-8-16) and declares the road improvements an emergency matter to expedite the work.

make an appropriation for certain costs related to the commissioning of the USS Pierre and to declare an emergency.

SB33 appropriates state funds to cover costs associated with commissioning the USS Pierre, a Navy ship named after South Dakota's capital. The bill declares an emergency to expedite the funding process for this ceremonial event.