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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.
require schools to provide instruction on South Dakota's tribal history, culture, and government.
Starting July 1, 2021, all accredited schools in South Dakota must teach students about tribal history, culture, and government using materials developed by the Department of Education. Schools can adapt this content to fit their local region or blend it into existing classes, and are encouraged to work with nearby Indian tribes to improve the curriculum and create cultural exchange programs.
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.
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.
permit the playing of an honor song or Lakota Flag Song at certain graduation ceremonies.
HB 1108 allows schools to play an honor song or Lakota Flag Song during graduation ceremonies, giving them the option to include these culturally significant musical traditions in their events. This change removes any restriction that may have previously prevented schools from incorporating these songs into their graduation programs.
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.
revise the membership of the Law Enforcement Officers Standards Commission.
South Dakota's Law Enforcement Officers Standards Commission is expanding from eleven to thirteen members, with the number of members appointed by the Attorney General increasing from eight to ten. The two additional positions will include one tribal law enforcement officer representative and one additional lay member, giving more diverse perspectives to the commission that sets standards for law enforcement training and certification.
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.
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.
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.
provide for the creation and funding of Oceti Sakowin community-based schools.
This bill creates a new type of school in South Dakota called an "Oceti Sakowin community-based school" that teaches Native American history and culture alongside regular academics. Nonprofit organizations can apply to local school districts to sponsor these schools, and their applications must include details about their mission, leadership structure, budget, and how they'll measure success. The bill establishes the legal framework and requirements for these culturally-focused schools to operate within South Dakota's education system.
establish a nonbeneficiary student scholarship program for certain students attending tribally controlled colleges and to make an appropriation therefor.
# HB 1180 Summary South Dakota will create a new scholarship program for students who are not tribal members but attend tribally controlled colleges in the state. The bill provides state funding to support these scholarships, making higher education more affordable for non-Native students at tribal institutions.
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.
establish certain provisions related to law enforcement.
South Dakota law enforcement training will ban chokeholds and similar restraint methods that cut off breathing or blood circulation, and all new officers must receive training on tribal jurisdiction, history, and culture. The state will also create a public online database showing which law enforcement officers have had their certifications suspended or revoked, including the officer's name, employer, and reason for the suspension or revocation.
supporting the amendment of the Sioux - Dakota Removal Act.
This concurrent resolution expresses South Dakota's support for amending the federal Sioux-Dakota Removal Act, a law that removed Dakota people from their ancestral lands in Minnesota following the 1862 conflict and mass execution of Dakota warriors. The resolution does not change state law itself, but rather signals the state legislature's position that the federal government should reconsider this historical removal policy. This is a symbolic measure that asks Congress to address the consequences of 19th-century Indian removal rather than making any direct legal changes.
In support of investigating and opening an official inquiry into the Medals of Honor given to United States soldiers for the involvement and participation of the soldiers in the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890.
This is a resolution expressing South Dakota's support for a federal investigation into Medals of Honor awarded to U.S. soldiers who participated in the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre. The resolution does not change state law itself, but rather urges the federal government to review whether those military decorations should be reconsidered in light of the historical event.
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.
revise provisions regarding hate crimes.
South Dakota's hate crime law is being updated to add two new protected categories: people based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or identification as a Native American Two-Spirit person now receive the same legal protection against intimidation, harassment, physical injury, and property damage that the law already provided for race, ethnicity, religion, ancestry, and national origin. The bill maintains the existing Class 6 felony penalty for violations.
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.
revise provisions regarding the issuance of state park camping permits.
This bill requires the Department of Game, Fish and Parks to give South Dakota residents twice as much time as nonresidents to book camping permits at state parks. The change ensures residents have a competitive advantage when permits become available for reservation.