Search Bills

create the Commission on Indian Affairs.

South Dakota creates a new Commission on Indian Affairs to improve state services for American Indians and strengthen communication between the state and the nine federally recognized tribes in South Dakota. The commission will have ten voting members—one from the state's Department of Tribal Relations and one representative from each of the nine tribes, selected by each tribe's own governing body—plus an optional non-voting member from an urban Indian health program.

require 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 all new legislative staff members. The bill also makes this training material available to current lawmakers, though it doesn't mandate they take it.

establish provisions for replacing certain names of geographic places that use offensive words or phrases.

South Dakota will replace all geographic place names containing the offensive terms "squaw" or "scalp" with new names that don't rely on harmful stereotypes. The bill specifically renames five locations in Gregory County (including North Scalp Creek and Scalp Butte) and requires the state to update all maps and government records to reflect these changes. Going forward, no new geographic features in South Dakota can use either of these terms in their names.

provide a penalty for businesses that do not accept tribal identification cards as a valid form of identification.

This bill strengthens South Dakota's requirement that businesses accept tribal identification cards by adding a civil penalty provision for those who refuse to accept them. Tribal IDs are already recognized as valid identification for financial transactions and age verification, but this bill gives the Secretary of the Department of Tribal Relations authority to fine businesses that don't comply with this requirement.

prohibit school districts from using certain mascots and team names that are derogatory toward Native American peoples or culture.

HB1183 prohibits South Dakota school districts from using mascots and team names that are derogatory or disrespectful toward Native American peoples and their cultures. School districts currently using such mascots would need to change them to comply with the new rule. This change affects how public schools represent themselves athletically and in their branding.

require the playing of an honor song or Lakota Flag Song at certain graduation ceremonies upon student request.

HB 1184 requires South Dakota schools to play an honor song or Lakota Flag Song at graduation ceremonies if a student requests it. This new requirement gives students the option to include these culturally significant songs in their graduation proceedings.

make an appropriation to the Department of Tribal Relations to support certain children first learning centers that promote the teaching of the Lakota language and to declare an emergency.

HB1191 appropriates state funding to the Department of Tribal Relations to support children's learning centers that teach the Lakota language. The bill declares this funding matter an emergency, which allows it to take effect immediately rather than waiting for the standard effective date. This is new spending that supports early childhood education programs focused on preserving and teaching Native American language.

make an appropriation to the Office of Attorney General to temporarily fund a position within the Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, and to declare an emergency.

HB 1194 provides temporary funding to the Attorney General's Office to pay for a staff position dedicated to working on issues related to missing and murdered Indigenous persons in South Dakota. The bill declares this funding an emergency matter, allowing it to take effect immediately rather than waiting for the standard implementation date.

establish the Commission on Truth and Reconciliation.

South Dakota establishes a new Commission on Truth and Reconciliation made up of seven governor-appointed members to review how past and present federal and state policies have affected the state's nine federally recognized tribes. The commission will gather testimony from affected Native Americans, document the impacts of government policies, and recommend steps toward healing and improved tribal-state relations before dissolving after submitting its final report to the Governor and Legislature.

revise the authorization for a tribal flag display in the rotunda of the capitol building.

This bill changes the tribal flag display rule in the state capitol rotunda from discretionary to mandatory—the nine federally recognized tribes' flags **must** now be displayed there instead of just being allowed to be displayed. The bill keeps the requirement that the specific location be determined by the commission with agreement from each tribal government, and it encourages (but doesn't require) the Legislature to hold public ceremonies honoring the flags during legislative sessions.

make an appropriation to the Department of Tribal Relations to support Indian horse racing relays and to declare an emergency.

HB 1193 provides state funding to the Department of Tribal Relations to support Indian horse racing relay events. The bill declares an emergency, which allows it to take effect immediately rather than waiting for the standard delayed implementation date.

make an appropriation for the Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Office, and to declare an emergency.

HB 1264 provides state funding to establish and operate a new Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Office, which will focus on addressing cases involving missing and murdered Native Americans in South Dakota. The bill declares this funding an emergency appropriation, meaning the money becomes available immediately rather than waiting for the normal budget process.

direct the Indian Education Advisory Council to make an annual report to the Governor and the State-Tribal Relations Committee.

This bill requires the Indian Education Advisory Council to submit a written annual report to the Governor and the State-Tribal Relations Committee by January 1st each year. The council, which includes representatives from South Dakota's nine tribes and Native American educators, will now be held accountable for reporting on its work to support Indian education and cultural awareness in the state's schools.

Urging the federal government to fulfill treaty obligations by fully funding the Oglala and Rosebud Sioux Tribe Departments of Public Safety for the public safety crisis on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Sioux Reservations.

This resolution urges the federal government to fully fund the police departments serving the Oglala Sioux Tribe on Pine Ridge Reservation and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe on Rosebud Reservation, arguing that the federal government has a treaty obligation to do so. The resolution does not change South Dakota state law itself; instead, it expresses the state legislature's position that inadequate federal funding is creating a public safety crisis on these reservations.

provide for the creation and funding of Oceti Sakowin community-based schools.

This bill creates a new process for establishing Oceti Sakowin community-based schools—schools that teach South Dakota Native American history, culture, and standards alongside regular academics. Nonprofits can apply to local school district boards for sponsorship to operate these schools, and the application must include details about the school's mission, structure, staff qualifications, facilities, and how it will measure student success.

exempt members of Indian tribes in South Dakota from hunting and fishing license fees.

Members of Indian tribes in South Dakota will no longer have to pay hunting and fishing license fees. This exempts tribal members from costs that other South Dakota residents currently must pay when they obtain hunting or fishing licenses.

authorize the State-Tribal Relations Committee to issue subpoenas.

This bill gives the State-Tribal Relations Committee the power to subpoena witnesses and documents when studying relationships between South Dakota and tribal governments, but only after the Legislative Research Council's Executive Board approves each subpoena. The committee can enforce subpoenas through the court system if someone refuses to comply, but cannot use this power to gather evidence for criminal cases or to punish specific individuals.

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

HB1151 requires South Dakota's Department of Labor and Regulation to collect and report statistics about poverty rates and workforce development programs specifically on tribal lands. This new reporting requirement will provide data to help track economic conditions and job training effectiveness in Native American communities across the state.

incorporate the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings in the social studies curriculum.

South Dakota schools must now incorporate the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings—which focus on the nine federally recognized tribes in the state—into their social studies curriculum for all elementary and secondary students. The State Board of Education Standards must consult with the South Dakota Indian education advisory council when developing these curriculum rules. This changes existing law by making the inclusion of Native American tribal history and perspectives a requirement rather than an optional consideration.

partially reallocate federal payments from national forests.

This bill redirects 10% of the federal forest payments that South Dakota receives from the Black Hills and Custer National Forests away from local counties and toward two new programs: a Native American achievement schools grant program and a tribal government infrastructure improvement fund. Previously, all of these federal payments went to the five affected counties (Lawrence, Meade, Pennington, Custer, and Fall River for Black Hills; Harding County for Custer National Forest) for roads and schools, but now those counties will receive 90% while the remaining 10% supports Native American education and tribal infrastructure projects.

reallocate federal payments from national forests.

This bill redirects federal payments that South Dakota receives from two national forests—the Black Hills National Forest and the Custer National Forest—away from county roads and schools and toward new state grant programs instead. Money from the Black Hills National Forest now goes to a Native American achievement schools grant program, while Custer National Forest payments go to a local infrastructure improvement fund reserved for tribal governments. Instead of directly benefiting the five counties surrounding Black Hills National Forest and Harding County, these federal forest revenues will now support statewide programs focused on Native American education and tribal infrastructure.

Supporting the initiatives of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate.

This concurrent resolution expresses the South Dakota Legislature's support for three initiatives of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate tribe: Native language revitalization programs, federal funding for new Bureau of Indian Education schools, and federal green energy programs for tribal nations. The resolution does not change any existing state law but rather serves as a formal statement of legislative backing for these tribal priorities aimed at improving education, employment, and economic opportunity on the reservation.

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

# SB 112 Summary SB 112 moves the Office of Indian Education from its current location to become part of the Department of Education. This consolidation brings Native American education programs under the state's main education department instead of operating as a separate office.

make an appropriation for matching funds to enhance research in manufacturing processes having lunar application and planetary use in tribal housing development and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota will provide matching funds to support research into advanced manufacturing processes that could be used in tribal housing development, with potential applications to lunar and planetary construction. The bill declares this funding an emergency appropriation, meaning it takes effect immediately rather than waiting for the standard implementation timeline. This creates new state funding to help tribes develop innovative housing solutions using cutting-edge manufacturing technology.

establish certain provisions related to law enforcement.

This bill prohibits law enforcement officers and their training programs from using chokeholds and similar restraints that cut off breathing or blood circulation. It requires all police officers to receive training on tribal sovereignty, tribal history, and tribal culture, and creates a public database listing officers whose certifications have been suspended or revoked, including details about why.

clarify the contents of the general appropriations act for fiscal year 2023, pertaining to certain federal moneys and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota will provide $300,000 in state matching funds to an accredited tribal university to support a NASA research project on advanced manufacturing techniques for lunar and planetary housing applications. Any money not spent or committed by June 30, 2027, will be returned to the state treasury according to standard procedures.

permit the use of tribal identification cards when registering to vote.

Tribal identification cards can now be used as acceptable forms of identification when people register to vote in South Dakota. This expands the list of valid ID options for voter registration beyond previously accepted documents.

exempt members of Indian tribes from admission fees, camping permit fees, and park service fees of state parks.

# HB 1142 Summary Members of federally recognized Indian tribes will no longer have to pay admission fees, camping permits, or other park service fees when using South Dakota state parks. This exemption removes a financial barrier for tribal members accessing the state's park system.

establish the nonbeneficiary student scholarship program and make an appropriation therefor.

South Dakota creates a new scholarship program for non-Native American students attending one of four tribal colleges in the state (Oglala Lakota College, Sinte Gleska University, Sitting Bull College, or Sisseton-Wahpeton Community College), administered by the Department of Tribal Relations. Eligible students must be South Dakota residents and can receive scholarships for up to four consecutive semesters or until earning a bachelor's degree, whichever comes first.

make an appropriation to the Department of Tribal Relations to fund the Native American achievement schools grant program.

HB 1189 provides funding to the Department of Tribal Relations to support the Native American achievement schools grant program, which helps schools serve Native American students. This is a new appropriation (budget allocation) rather than a change to existing law—it simply dedicates state money to this educational initiative.

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.

HR7001 is a resolution calling for an official investigation into Medals of Honor that were awarded to U.S. soldiers for their involvement in the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre. The resolution does not change state law itself, but rather expresses the House's support for examining whether these military decorations should be reviewed or rescinded based on the historical circumstances of the event.

authorize the construction and operation of a nursing facility in Lyman County and to declare an emergency.

This bill allows a new nursing facility with up to 50 beds to be built and operated on the Lower Brule Sioux Reservation in Lyman County, overriding existing state law restrictions that normally prohibit new nursing facilities in certain areas. The facility must still meet all other state requirements to participate in the Medicaid program. The bill declares an emergency so it takes effect immediately upon passage.

make an appropriation to the Department of Education for the Teach for America grant program.

The state will provide $500,000 to the Department of Education to fund the Teach for America grant program, which recruits and places teachers in schools serving low-income students, particularly on Native American reservations. The bill updates the existing program language to reflect that the state will work with private contributors to expand the program. Any money not spent by June 30, 2027 will be returned to the general fund.

update legal holidays in South Dakota.

This bill adds Juneteenth (June 19th) and Native Americans' Day (second Monday in October) to South Dakota's official legal holidays, and renames the "Presidents' Day" holiday in February to clarify it honors both Lincoln and Washington's birthdays. The bill also updates the rules for when these holidays fall on weekends, ensuring the observed holiday shifts to Friday (if the holiday is on Saturday) or Monday (if on Sunday).

honoring Auburn Brenner of Sioux Falls, South Dakota Girls State Governor, and Joseph Gebel of Mitchell, South Dakota Boys State Governor, and commending the South Dakota American Legion and Auxiliary for their sponsorship and coordination of the Girls State and Boys State programs.

This is a ceremonial resolution that honors Auburn Brenner as South Dakota Girls State Governor and Joseph Gebel as South Dakota Boys State Governor for 2022. The resolution also commends the South Dakota American Legion and Auxiliary for sponsoring and running these youth leadership programs. This type of resolution does not change state law—it is simply a formal recognition by the legislature.

urging the highest levels of safety and oversight in the operation of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility.

This resolution urges federal authorities to maintain the highest safety standards and oversight when operating the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Kansas, which will handle dangerous animal diseases previously studied at a facility off the coast of New York. The resolution expresses South Dakota's concerns about conducting research on highly contagious pathogens like foot-and-mouth disease in close proximity to the nation's livestock heartland and susceptible wildlife.

allow the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources to collect receipts from timber sales on federal lands and disburse those receipts according to federal law.

South Dakota's Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources can now collect money from the sale of timber on federal lands and deposit it into the state's forestry fund, following federal rules about how that money must be used. This adds a new responsibility to the state forester's existing job of helping manage forests and timber harvesting. The change allows the state to participate in federal timber sale programs and keep the resulting revenue for forestry purposes.

place limitations on the enforcement of federal laws and orders related to firearms, accessories, and ammunition.

South Dakota would prohibit state agencies, local governments, and their officials from helping enforce federal gun laws that are stricter than South Dakota's own laws. State and local employees who violate this ban could face civil penalties up to $1,000 for a first offense and criminal charges for repeat violations.

limit the provision of state assistance to federal authorities in certain matters related to firearms.

South Dakota state and local officials would be prohibited from assisting federal authorities in investigating or enforcing federal firearm regulations that are stricter than state law. However, officials could still help with federal investigations of serious crimes like drug offenses, homicide, and assault where firearms are only incidental to the main crime, or crimes that don't involve firearms at all.

Honoring and recognizing the work and presence of Cindy Tryon as a positive and elating force in the South Dakota Legislative Research Council.

This is a ceremonial resolution honoring Cindy Tryon for her contributions to the South Dakota Legislative Research Council—it doesn't change any substantive laws. The bill's technical amendments to sections on motorized foot scooters and other transportation matters appear to be routine housekeeping items unrelated to the main purpose of recognizing Tryon's work.