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revise certain definitions for sex offender registry.

This bill clarifies definitions used in South Dakota's sex offender registry laws, specifying what counts as a "community safety zone" (areas within 500 feet of schools, parks, playgrounds, and pools), what "loiter" means (remaining in an area to observe or contact minors), which types of schools are covered, and how "residence" is defined for registry purposes. These definitions establish the boundaries and terms that sex offenders must follow under state registration requirements.

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.

update certain citations to federal regulations regarding pipeline safety inspections.

South Dakota is updating its pipeline safety inspection rules to align with the most recent federal pipeline safety standards, changing the reference date from January 1, 2019 to January 1, 2021. This ensures that state pipeline inspectors follow the latest federal regulations for gas pipelines and related facilities. The change keeps South Dakota's pipeline safety program current with federal requirements so the state can maintain its certification to oversee pipeline safety.

make certain uses of laser pointers unlawful.

SB79 makes it unlawful to aim or point laser pointers at people, vehicles, or aircraft in ways that could interfere with their safety or operation. The bill updates South Dakota's penalties and definitions for laser pointer misuse across multiple sections of law, while repealing several outdated statutes related to these regulations.

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.

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.

clarify the penalty for using fireworks in violation of a county resolution, and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota counties can already regulate fireworks during high fire danger periods, but this bill clarifies that violating a county's fireworks restriction is a Class 2 misdemeanor (a criminal offense). The change makes the penalty for breaking these rules explicit in state law, ensuring consistent enforcement across counties when fire danger reaches extreme levels.

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.

revise the limitations on a municipality's power to take actions for the promotion of health or the suppression of disease.

This bill limits the power of South Dakota cities and towns to take health and disease-prevention measures by adding new restrictions—municipalities can no longer take actions that interfere with religious exercise, free speech, assembly, petition rights, activities in private homes or businesses, or gun rights. The bill essentially carves out broad exemptions from local health authority unless martial law has been declared. This significantly narrows municipalities' ability to implement public health measures like mask mandates or business closures during health emergencies.

provide for the use of motorized foot scooters.

South Dakota will now require all owners registering a noncommercial motor vehicle to show proof of financial responsibility (such as insurance) at the time of registration with their county treasurer. Anyone who intentionally provides false information when submitting this proof will be charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor.

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.

regulate kratom for those under the age of twenty-one.

HB 1262 restricts the sale of kratom to people under age 21, treating it similarly to tobacco and alcohol products. The bill amends South Dakota's kratom regulations to create an age requirement for purchasing this plant-based substance.

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.