Search Bills

provide oversight regarding the exercise of gubernatorial emergency powers.

This bill adds oversight requirements to the Governor's emergency powers by requiring the Legislature to review and potentially limit how long emergency declarations can last. The change ensures that while the Governor can still take swift action during disasters or emergencies, the Legislature has a mechanism to check that power rather than letting it continue indefinitely without legislative input.

require certain entities owning agricultural land to report foreign beneficial ownership interests.

Entities that file annual reports with South Dakota must now disclose whether they own agricultural land and, if they do, whether they have any foreign owners with beneficial interests in the company. This adds a new reporting requirement to existing annual filings, helping the state track foreign ownership of agricultural land.

require the continued maintenance of the official list of candidates prior to an election.

South Dakota's Secretary of State must now maintain and regularly update an official list of candidates for statewide primary, general, and special elections, reflecting any candidates who are newly approved, withdraw, or are removed from the ballot. The list must include each candidate's name, address, county, legislative district (if applicable), and political party, and must be available for public inspection on the Secretary of State's website. This creates a new requirement to keep this candidate information current and publicly accessible throughout the election process.

repeal the requirement for an annual report by the Board of Regents regarding intellectual diversity and the free exchange of ideas

SB 45 eliminates a requirement for the Board of Regents to submit an annual report to the legislature about intellectual diversity and free exchange of ideas at South Dakota's universities. This removes an existing reporting obligation that higher education officials currently must fulfill each year.

provide for the organization of townships or fractions of townships.

HB 1147 makes it mandatory for county commissioners to hold a public hearing whenever someone proposes to reorganize, divide, or merge townships—currently the law only says they "may" hold such a hearing. The bill also clarifies that voters, township boards, or county commissioners themselves can trigger this process, and requires at least 20 days' notice in local newspapers before any hearing takes place.

revise certain provisions related to the sealing of adoption records.

HB1231 makes adoption records slightly more accessible by allowing adoptees to request and receive copies of court adoption files once they turn 18, rather than waiting until they reach full maturity. The bill clarifies that the Department of Social Services and licensed adoption agencies must be notified when someone petitions the court to access sealed adoption records, but they cannot argue for or against such requests during the hearing.

Applying 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 would formally apply to Congress to call 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 authority, and establish term limits for members of Congress. This resolution doesn't change South Dakota state law itself, but rather directs the state to petition the federal government to pursue these constitutional changes at the national level.

raise the revenue threshold for a required audit of a water development district.

SB143 raises the amount of revenue that water development districts must have before they are required to undergo an independent financial audit. This change makes it easier for smaller water development districts to avoid the cost and burden of mandatory audits by increasing the revenue threshold that triggers the audit requirement.

revise public meeting requirements.

South Dakota's public meeting law now requires government bodies to allow public comment at their regular scheduled meetings, though they can limit how much time each person gets to speak. The bill also clarifies that when a government body's members attend events hosted by non-governmental organizations where policy might be discussed, the government body can post a simple notice listing the date, time, and location instead of a full meeting agenda. Additionally, the law exempts certain ceremonial meetings—like inaugurations and annual report presentations—from the public comment requirement.

prohibit the spouse of a member of the Legislature from being employed as a private lobbyist.

SB 197 prohibits the spouses of state legislators from working as private lobbyists. This creates a conflict-of-interest rule to prevent situations where a legislator's spouse could lobby the legislature while their spouse serves as a lawmaker.

require employers to disclose compensation or range of compensation to applicants and employees.

South Dakota employers with 100 or more employees must now list the salary or hourly pay range (plus benefits) in all job postings, whether posted online or on paper. Employers must keep records of these salary ranges and job descriptions for as long as workers are employed, and workers can report violations to the Department of Labor and Regulation.

update the official code of laws.

HB1002 updates South Dakota's official legal code by changing the base editions used for several volumes of state law, specifically updating volumes 23, 24, and 26 from their 2004 versions to 2022 versions. This ensures that the official code reflects more current versions of state statutes so that citizens and legal professionals are working with the most up-to-date laws.

make an appropriation to the Department of Health to provide grants to support mental health and suicide prevention programs, and to declare an emergency.

HB 1079 directs state money to the Department of Health to fund grants that support mental health and suicide prevention programs across South Dakota. The bill declares an emergency, which allows it to take effect immediately rather than waiting for the standard July 1st effective date. This is new spending rather than a change to existing law.

modify provisions pertaining to the testing of automatic tabulating equipment.

HB 1124 changes how South Dakota counties must notify the public about voting machine testing before elections. Instead of just publishing a notice in the newspaper 48 hours before the test, counties must now post notice using the same process required for public meeting agendas and directly notify political party chairs and ballot question committees. The bill also clarifies that if an error is found during testing, the county auditor must conduct a new test after the error is corrected.

require the secretary of state to determine if a legislatively proposed constitutional amendment complies with the single subject requirement and is not a constitutional revision.

This bill requires the Secretary of State to review all legislatively proposed constitutional amendments—in addition to voter-initiated ones—to check whether they follow the state constitution's rule that amendments can only address one subject and cannot be a "revision" of the constitution rather than a simple amendment. If the Secretary of State approves the proposal, they must issue a written certification and publish it on their website within 15 working days.

repeal a provision providing for the manner in which legislation may be introduced and to make a conforming change.

HB1205 eliminates restrictions on which legislative committees can introduce bills by repealing a section that previously limited bill introductions to only certain standing committees and specific interim committees. The bill simplifies the rules so that any interim committee of the Legislative Research Council can now introduce bills and resolutions, removing the previous requirement for majority votes or special authorization from designated committees.

Recognizing the De Smet Bulldogs as the 2021 and 2022 boys basketball Class B state champions.

This resolution officially recognizes the De Smet Bulldogs as the 2021 and 2022 boys basketball Class B state champions. It's a ceremonial measure that honors the team's achievements and doesn't change any state laws or regulations.

make an appropriation to provide funding for major infrastructure projects to support South Dakota airports.

SB 158 provides state funding for major infrastructure projects at South Dakota airports. The bill amends state law governing airport funding to allocate money for these improvements, though the specific project details and dollar amounts are not included in the provided text excerpt.

establish the Commission on Truth and Reconciliation.

South Dakota creates a new Commission on Truth and Reconciliation with seven members appointed by the Governor to examine how 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. Once the commission completes its report to the Governor and Legislature, it will be dissolved.

remove a one-year requirement for legal newspapers.

This bill removes the requirement that a newspaper must have been in operation for at least one year before it can be designated as a legal newspaper for publishing official government notices. Going forward, any newspaper that meets the other requirements—such as having a minimum paid circulation of 200 subscribers and charging at least 50% of its published price—can immediately qualify as a legal newspaper.

clarify the requirements for using state aircraft and vehicles.

SB 199 tightens rules on when state employees can use state-owned or leased aircraft and vehicles. The bill prohibits non-employees from using state aircraft and bars all state employees—including the Governor—from using state planes for social, recreational, religious, political, or personal events, while requiring aircraft trips to take the shortest and most direct route. State vehicles have more flexibility, as supervisory personnel can authorize their use for commuting between employees' homes and worksites if it improves efficiency, though this exception does not apply to aircraft.

revise Department of Corrections reporting requirements concerning abuse and neglect of individuals in private contracted facilities.

South Dakota's Department of Corrections must compile reports on all allegations of abuse and neglect in private prisons and other contracted facilities and send them to the Government Operations and Audit Committee. This bill changes the reporting requirement from twice a year to once a year, with the report due by July 31st.

authorize participation in contracts by certain board members and employees of water districts.

This bill allows water district board members and certain employees to participate in contracts that benefit them personally, as long as they disclose their financial interest in writing and get the board's written approval through a resolution that determines the contract is fair and not against the public interest. The bill defines what counts as a "direct benefit," including owning more than 5% of a company involved in the contract, earning income from it, or acquiring property through it. This removes an automatic conflict-of-interest ban and replaces it with a disclosure-and-approval process.

streamline examination reports.

This bill streamlines the process for state regulators to examine insurance companies and issue findings. It establishes clear timelines and procedures: examiners must file reports within 60 days, companies get 30 days to respond, and the director has 30 days to review everything and issue a final order—either adopting the report, ordering a new examination, or holding a hearing if needed.

amend the requirements to be a legal newspaper.

This bill updates South Dakota's definition of a "legal newspaper" eligible to publish official notices by allowing newspapers with primarily online readership to qualify. Under the new option, a newspaper needs at least 200 paid online subscribers and must distribute a printed edition at least 50 weeks per year with 500 copies circulated (whether sold or free) to be recognized as a legal newspaper. Additionally, newspapers must now file an annual affidavit each October confirming they meet these requirements.

require an official declaration of war or other Congressional action before the South Dakota National Guard may be deployed outside of the state.

HB1130 requires that the South Dakota National Guard can only be deployed outside the state if Congress has declared war or taken other official Congressional action to authorize the deployment. This change limits the governor's ability to send National Guard troops outside South Dakota without Congressional approval, shifting deployment authority away from state leadership to the federal government.

provide for transparency in the pricing of prescription drugs.

HB 1135 requires health insurers, health plans, and other entities that provide health coverage in South Dakota to be transparent about how they price prescription drugs. The bill establishes definitions and oversight authority for monitoring drug pricing practices by these covered entities to help ensure South Dakotans have clearer information about what they're paying for medications.

require quarterly reporting of alleged crimes and civil proceedings involving grain transactions and to provide a penalty therefor.

Grain buyers with Class A licenses must now report to the Public Utilities Commission within their quarterly financial statements if they become aware of embezzlement, theft, or fraud exceeding $50,000, file for bankruptcy with claims over $50,000, or become involved in civil lawsuits with claims over $50,000. Grain buyers who willfully fail to make these required reports and cause financial losses to grain suppliers can be charged with theft. This new reporting requirement is meant to give regulators better visibility into legal and criminal problems affecting the grain industry.

make an appropriation for the revised construction costs of the bioproducts facility in Brookings, and to declare an emergency.

HB 1030 provides additional state funding to cover increased construction costs for a bioproducts facility being built in Brookings. The bill declares this appropriation an emergency, allowing the money to be spent immediately without waiting for the normal budget process.

limit the manner in which legislation may be introduced.

This bill limits which committees can introduce legislation, allowing only standing committees, interim committees referred through the Legislative Research Council, and five specific interim committees (Rules Review, Government Operations and Audit, Retirement Laws, Joint Bonding Review, and State-Tribal Relations) to introduce bills—plus bills requested by the Governor, executive agencies, or the Chief Justice. The change prevents other interim committees from introducing bills on their own authority. Individual legislators remain free to introduce bills themselves.

establish the legal standing of the Legislature to bring suit and be a necessary party in actions involving election law violations by public officials.

This bill gives the South Dakota Legislature the legal right to sue state officials—including the Governor and Secretary of State—if they change or ignore election laws without authorization. The Legislature's leaders (the House Speaker and Senate President) can file these lawsuits on behalf of the Legislature if a majority of both chambers requests it, and the Legislature must be included as a party in any lawsuits involving unauthorized changes to election rules.

revise the qualifications to be a member of a county recount board.

This bill clarifies the membership rules for county recount boards by specifying different composition requirements depending on the type of election being recounted. For general elections and ballot questions, recount boards must include a lawyer from the largest-voting gubernatorial party plus two county voters from the two largest parties; for primary elections and runoffs, all board members must belong to the same political party as the candidates in the race being recounted.

Celebrating the life, legacy, and accomplishments of "Big" Tom Olson.

This is a ceremonial resolution that honors the life and accomplishments of "Big" Tom Olson—it does not change any state law. The resolution expresses the South Dakota House of Representatives' appreciation for Olson's contributions, but serves only as a formal recognition rather than creating new legal requirements or modifying existing statutes.

To encourage the Executive Board of the Legislature to continue researching childhood mental health and mental health services available to children in this state.

This resolution asks the Legislature's Executive Board to continue studying childhood mental health and the mental health services available to children in South Dakota. It doesn't change existing law but rather directs the board to keep researching this issue as an ongoing priority.

Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, providing for wagering on sporting events via mobile or electronic platform.

HJR5006 asks South Dakota voters to approve a constitutional amendment that would allow sports betting through mobile phones and online platforms. Currently, the state constitution does not permit this type of wagering, so this amendment would need voter approval to make it legal.

authorize legislative intervention into certain cases pertaining to election law.

This bill allows South Dakota's Legislature to intervene directly in court cases challenging election laws (Title 12 statutes). Anyone suing over election law must notify the Legislature within 14 days, and the Legislature can then join the case and block state officials from settling it without legislative approval. This prevents the Governor or Secretary of State from resolving election law disputes on their own without the Legislature's consent.

prohibit certain persons from using the title veterinary technician.

SB 142 restricts who can use the title "veterinary technician" in South Dakota by amending the state's veterinary licensing law. The bill changes existing requirements in state law (§24-11-13) to prohibit certain individuals from calling themselves veterinary technicians, likely those who lack proper credentials or training. This protects the veterinary technician title as exclusive to qualified, licensed professionals.

authorize the provision of medical records and the imposition of related fees.

SB 181 creates new rules allowing South Dakota health care providers and medical records companies to share patient medical records and charge fees for doing so. The law defines key terms like "medical records," "health care providers," and "patients" (including authorized representatives and parents of minors) to establish a legal framework for how medical records can be accessed and what charges are permitted.

revise requirements to relocate a county seat.

This bill makes it harder to relocate a county seat by increasing the petition requirement from 15% to 40% of registered voters. It also adds new requirements that the petition must specify which municipality is proposed as the new county seat and must include a statement addressing the timeline and estimated costs of the relocation.

modify the approval process for certain out-of-state travel and related costs by a legislative member.

SB 68 modifies how state legislators get approval to travel out of state and pay for related costs by changing the process through the Legislative Research Council's executive board. The bill appears to clarify or adjust the executive board's authority over these travel approvals, though the specific changes are not fully visible in the provided excerpt.

modify the composition of the State-Tribal Relations Committee.

SB 69 changes how members are appointed to the State-Tribal Relations Committee by replacing a rule that limits one party to three seats with a new requirement that committee appointments reflect each party's actual representation in the House and Senate. The bill guarantees the minority party at least one seat on the committee from each legislative body.

provide an increased appropriation for the construction costs of an athletics events center at Dakota State University, and to declare an emergency.

SB 93 increases state funding for construction of a new athletics events center at Dakota State University. The bill declares the funding increase an emergency measure, allowing it to take effect immediately rather than following the standard delayed implementation process.

extend the termination date of the Juvenile Justice Oversight Council and modify its membership requirements.

This bill extends the Juvenile Justice Oversight Council's expiration date from June 30, 2025 to June 30, 2031, keeping the council in operation for an additional six years to monitor juvenile justice reforms in South Dakota. The council will continue reviewing performance measures across state agencies and tracking outcomes for youth in the justice system, particularly for Native American children and rural treatment delivery.

revise certain provisions pertaining to the Department of Veterans Affairs and residency in the State Veterans Home.

HB 1038 updates the language in South Dakota's veterans affairs laws to clarify staffing requirements and operations at the Department of Veterans Affairs, including making the secretary's annual report to the Governor mandatory and requiring state veterans service officers to be veterans themselves. The bill also modernizes the statutory language by replacing outdated terms like "shall" with "must" to reflect current drafting standards, without changing the actual rules or requirements for the department.

lower the state sales tax rate and the state use tax rate on food to three and one-half percent.

HB1096 reduces the state sales tax and use tax on food from the current rate to 3.5 percent. This change makes groceries and food purchases cheaper for South Dakota residents by lowering the tax they pay at checkout.

revise certain provisions pertaining to the destruction of ballots and pollbooks after an election.

HB1115 extends the time election officials must keep ballots and pollbooks from nonfederal elections from 60 days to 182 days after the election, unless a recount, legal contest, or civil lawsuit involving those materials is pending. The bill also clarifies that for federal elections, all ballots and election materials must be kept for 22 months, and if a ballot covers both federal and state/local races, the longer 22-month retention period applies.

require active efforts to preserve and reunite Indian families in abuse and neglect proceedings.

# HB 1168 Summary This bill requires South Dakota courts and child welfare agencies to make active efforts to keep Indian families together and reunify them in abuse and neglect cases, rather than moving toward removal or adoption without exhausting alternatives. The law strengthens protections for Native American children and families by imposing a higher standard of proof and requiring documented attempts at family preservation before out-of-home placement occurs.

authorize the performance and reporting of medical procedures to avert the death or physical impairment of a pregnant female and to declare an emergency.

This bill clarifies when doctors can perform abortions in South Dakota to save a pregnant woman's life or prevent serious physical harm, requiring them to determine the woman faces a substantial risk of death or permanent damage to a major bodily function before proceeding. The bill also requires that any such abortion must take place at a hospital and mandates doctors to report details about the procedure to the Department of Health within 30 days, including patient demographics, the medical reason, method used, and fetal age.

provide that a female who undergoes an unlawful abortion may not be held criminally liable.

HB 1220 protects women from criminal prosecution if they have an abortion that violates South Dakota law. Currently, South Dakota bans most abortions, but this bill ensures that the woman herself cannot be charged with a crime for obtaining one—only the provider could face legal consequences. This change makes clear that criminal liability falls on those performing unlawful abortions, not on the women who seek them.

revise certain provisions related to marriage certificates and divorce.

South Dakota couples applying for a marriage license must now select which grounds for divorce and separation they agree to in advance, with unchecked grounds considered waived for any future divorce proceedings. All couples married before this law takes effect can request an amended marriage license to make these same selections, and the county register of deeds will file and keep the checklist with the marriage certificate. Couples must also receive a copy of the state's divorce laws when they apply for their license.

Honoring Jackie Kocak for receiving the Direct Care Worker of the Year Award by the National Association of Special Education Centers.

HC 8009 honors Jackie Kocak for receiving the Direct Care Worker of the Year Award from the National Association of Special Education Centers. This is a ceremonial bill that recognizes an individual achievement and does not create or change any substantive state law requirements.

Recognizing Lincoln Kienholz's high school athletic achievement and commitment to play collegiate football.

# HC8017 Summary This resolution recognizes Lincoln Kienholz's achievements as a high school athlete and his commitment to play collegiate football. The measure is a ceremonial recognition that does not change any state law.

Recognizing the life and accomplishments of Dr. Jack Billion.

This resolution honors Dr. Jack Billion by expressing the South Dakota House of Representatives' appreciation for his life and accomplishments. The measure does not change any state law but serves as a formal recognition of his contributions.

require updated cost report information for certain community-based health and human services providers.

This bill appropriates $1 from the state general fund for improving South Dakota's social and economic viability, though the minimal amount suggests this is largely a procedural or emergency measure rather than a substantive funding bill. The bill declares an emergency so the appropriation takes effect immediately upon passage, and any unspent funds will be returned according to standard state reversion procedures.

update maintenance and verification requirements for voter registration files.

This bill updates how county auditors maintain and verify voter registration records by requiring them to compare addresses on new voter registration applications against county tax records to confirm they are residential addresses, not commercial or industrial ones. The bill also clarifies requirements for updating voter registration files twice yearly and keeping records of purged voters for twenty-two months.

provide for philosophical exceptions to required vaccinations.

# SB130 Summary SB130 adds a "philosophical exception" to South Dakota's vaccine requirement laws, allowing people to opt out of required vaccinations based on personal beliefs rather than only medical or religious reasons. This expands who can legally refuse vaccinations by removing the requirement to cite religious or medical grounds, making it easier for individuals to decline vaccines that would otherwise be mandatory.

establish post-election audits.

South Dakota will now require county auditors to conduct post-election audits within 15 days after each primary and general election by hand-counting all votes in randomly selected precincts (representing at least 5% of precincts or 100+ ballots, whichever is larger) and comparing them to the official count for two statewide contests with the closest vote margins. County auditing boards must be appointed to conduct these audits and cannot consist entirely of members from the same political party, with the state reimbursing counties for the full cost of these audits.

address requirements for the execution of a living will.

SB 180 updates South Dakota's living will law to clarify that a document can be witnessed by two adults OR notarized by a notary public (instead of requiring both). The bill also refines language to ensure that living wills must clearly state a person's wishes about artificial nutrition and hydration, and if they don't, state law will determine how those decisions are handled.

prohibit purchasing agencies from contracting with companies owned or controlled by certain foreign entities or governments.

South Dakota state agencies are now prohibited from signing contracts with companies that are owned or controlled by foreign governments or entities from China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or Venezuela. This ban applies to all vendors, suppliers, and subcontractors bidding on or hired for state purchases of goods, services, construction, or public improvements. The law does not apply to individual U.S. citizens or sole proprietorships.

allow medical cannabis establishments to maintain certain cardholder data and to declare an emergency.

Medical cannabis establishments can now keep cardholders' names and personal information if the cardholder gives written permission, instead of being required to only use registry identification numbers. This gives medical cannabis patients the option to authorize their dispensaries to maintain their personal details for specific purposes or all transactions. The bill also declares an emergency so the law takes effect immediately upon approval.

require financial institutions to report exploitation of an elder or an adult with a disability.

Banks and credit unions that file federal reports about suspicious activity involving elder or disabled adult exploitation must now also notify South Dakota's attorney general about these concerns. The law protects financial institutions from lawsuits or criminal charges for making these required reports in good faith.

prohibit the improper storage and disposal of records containing personal or protected information and provide a penalty therefor.

South Dakota law now requires anyone who handles records with personal or protected information—including businesses, government agencies, and individuals—to either keep those records secure or destroy them properly (by shredding, burning, erasing, or similar methods) once they're no longer needed. If someone discovers records that weren't disposed of properly, they must report it to the Attorney General within ten business days. Businesses that hire a third party to destroy records are no longer responsible if that contractor fails to properly dispose of them.

amend provisions regarding delivery of electronic insurance documents.

This bill updates South Dakota's insurance document delivery rules to clarify what "electronic delivery" means and who qualifies as a "party" entitled to receive insurance notices. Insurance companies can now deliver documents by email (if the recipient consents) or by posting them online with a separate email notification alerting the recipient to check the posting. The bill also defines new categories like "covered employees" and "covered persons" in group health plans to ensure all relevant individuals receive required insurance documents.

establish educational standards for the expanded practice of optometry.

SB87 updates South Dakota's rules for what additional procedures and responsibilities optometrists can take on beyond their current scope of practice, while removing some outdated regulations about optometry licenses. The bill modifies educational standards that optometrists must meet to expand their practice capabilities in the state.

Recognizing and honoring Kevin Locke, a world-famous Hoop Dancer, player of the North American Indigenous flute, traditional storyteller, cultural ambassador, and educator.

This is a ceremonial resolution honoring Kevin Locke, a renowned Lakota hoop dancer, flute player, storyteller, and cultural educator. The bill makes technical updates to various sections of South Dakota's codified laws but does not substantively change legal requirements or policies. It formally recognizes Locke's contributions to Indigenous culture and education in South Dakota.

make an appropriation to the Department of Revenue for the modernization of the motor vehicle administration system, and to declare an emergency.

HB 1035 provides funding to the Department of Revenue to update and modernize its motor vehicle administration computer system. The bill declares an emergency, meaning the funding takes effect immediately rather than waiting for the normal July 1st start date for appropriations.

establish a standing committee on federal review, and to declare an emergency.

This bill creates a new joint committee in the South Dakota Legislature made up of five House members and four Senate members to review federal laws, rules, and executive orders and determine whether they violate South Dakota's sovereignty or citizens' rights under the Constitution. The committee will report its findings to the Legislature and can sponsor legislation in response to federal actions it determines are unconstitutional, doing so independent of any federal court rulings on the same issues. The bill declares this a matter of emergency importance.

revise certain provisions pertaining to poll watchers.

HB1106 revises how South Dakota removes ineligible voters from registration lists by requiring (instead of allowing) county auditors to remove voters identified as deceased or convicted of felonies, and mandating that voter records be matched against death records and felony conviction records. The bill also clarifies the process for courts and coroners to report names of mentally incompetent persons and deceased individuals to county auditors for removal from voter rolls.

require the South Dakota Lottery to promote public awareness on the adverse effects of gambling.

The South Dakota Lottery must now spend money each quarter on public awareness campaigns about the harms of gambling—such as addiction, financial hardship, and suicide—with those spending amounts equal to at least 90% of what the lottery spends promoting its own games. These awareness campaign expenses must be detailed in the state budget annually so lawmakers can review them.

revise certain provisions related to mileage reimbursement.

South Dakota legislators' mileage reimbursement will now be based on the federal IRS business mileage rate (adjusted annually on October 1st) instead of a rate set by the state Board of Finance. The bill also ties the daily living expense allowance to whichever is greater: the current $123 per day or the federal IRS per diem rate for that year, ensuring legislators' reimbursements automatically adjust with federal tax standards.

establish a timeline and conditions for consideration of an application to construct a carbon dioxide transmission facility.

This bill extends the decision timeline for carbon dioxide pipeline permits from 12 months to 24 months, giving the state commission more time to review applications. The longer timeline only applies if the pipeline company obtains voluntary easements from at least 90 percent of affected landowners and receives federal pipeline safety certification from the Attorney General.

require members of the Legislature to attend a course on the federal and state constitutions.

This bill requires all newly elected state legislators to complete a two-hour course on the federal and state constitutions before the start of their first regular legislative session. The Legislative Research Council director will coordinate and teach the course, which can be attended either in person or remotely, and legislators only need to take it once even if they serve multiple terms.

exempt funeral and burial services from the state gross receipts tax.

# HB1197 Summary Funeral and burial services will no longer be subject to South Dakota's state gross receipts tax, providing a tax break for families and funeral homes that purchase these services. This exemption removes the state sales tax that was previously applied to funeral homes' charges for services like embalming, cremation, and burial arrangements.

provide for the election of State Brand Board members.

This bill changes how the State Brand Board fills open positions by requiring future vacancies to be filled through election rather than appointment. Candidates must meet eligibility requirements including being at least 18 years old, owning at least one registered brand, earning most of their income from livestock, and residing in South Dakota's livestock inspection area. The State Brand Board will handle nominations and elections, with information about the process posted on websites, social media, livestock publications, and at livestock auction markets.

prevent financial services providers from denying service based on certain grounds.

Banks, insurance companies, and other financial services providers cannot deny services to customers based on non-financial factors like environmental or social concerns, diversity initiatives, or subjective measures—they can only reject applicants who fail to meet documented, risk-based financial standards set in advance. The law also prohibits financial institutions from selectively denying services in ways that unfairly disadvantage someone from competing in a market where the institution has a financial interest, or from coordinating with other institutions to deny services.

revise Public Utilities Commission procedure regarding permits for energy conversion and transmission facilities.

This bill extends the deadline for the Public Utilities Commission to make decisions on energy facility permits from 12 months to 24 months after receiving an application. The bill also changes who can request deadline extensions—allowing any party involved in the case (not just the applicant) to ask the commission for more time.

Honoring E. Royce Williams for his life, achievement, and heroism as he is awarded the Navy Cross.

This is a ceremonial resolution honoring E. Royce Williams for receiving the Navy Cross, South Dakota's highest military honor. The resolution does not change any state law—it is simply the legislature's formal recognition of his heroism and achievement.

Encouraging the Executive Board of the Legislature to authorize an interim study of the licensure and nomenclature of emergency medical and advanced life support personnel.

This resolution asks the Legislature's executive board to authorize a study examining how emergency medical personnel (like EMTs and paramedics) are licensed and what they're called in South Dakota. The study would review whether current licensing and job titles for these emergency responders need updating or changes.

Encouraging the Executive Board of the Legislature to establish a taskforce to study the availability of childcare.

HCR6010 is a resolution asking the Legislature's Executive Board to create a taskforce that will study childcare availability issues in South Dakota. The resolution does not change any existing state law—instead, it encourages leadership to investigate the childcare situation and presumably report back on findings.

provide the Department of Health with oversight authority for the provision of emergency medical services.

SB 101 gives the South Dakota Department of Health authority to oversee how emergency medical services and ambulances are provided throughout the state, rather than leaving this entirely to individual counties and municipalities. The bill reorganizes and clarifies existing rules about who can provide ambulance services and what equipment they must have, while maintaining the ability of counties and cities to run their own services or contract with others.

provide liability for the publishing or distributing of material harmful to minors on the internet and the wrongful retention of individually identifiable information.

SB 192 creates new liability rules for internet companies and websites that publish or distribute material harmful to minors without using age verification methods to block access. The bill also holds these commercial entities responsible for wrongfully keeping minors' personal information. This adds new legal consequences in South Dakota for online platforms that fail to prevent minors from accessing adult content or that improperly retain children's data.

appropriate money for the ordinary expenses of the legislative, judicial, and executive departments of the state, the current expenses of state institutions, interest on the public debt, and for common schools.

SB 210 adjusts spending amounts for various state agencies and departments across fiscal year 2023, including increases for employee compensation at the Bureau of Finance and Management, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, and the Department of Revenue's motor vehicle division, while reducing funding for the Bureau of Administration's central services. These changes reallocate money already appropriated in the previous year's budget rather than creating entirely new spending authority. The bill affects how state government distributes its existing funds across different operations and services.

Honoring the 2022-2023 Canton C-Hawk girls wrestling team for its outstanding accomplishments.

This is a resolution honoring the Canton C-Hawk girls wrestling team for their outstanding accomplishments during the 2022-2023 season. It does not change any state law—it is a ceremonial measure passed by the South Dakota Senate to recognize and celebrate the team's achievements.

lower the state sales tax rate and the state use tax rate on food to two and one-half percent.

HB 1095 reduces South Dakota's sales tax and use tax on food purchases from the current rate to 2.5 percent. This change makes groceries and other food items less expensive for consumers by lowering the tax they pay at checkout.

revise provisions related to the One-Call Notification Board.

South Dakota's One-Call Notification Board—which operates a service letting people request the marking of underground utilities before digging—is clarified to function as an independent state agency that manages its own personnel, finances, and operations, even though it's attached to the Public Utilities Commission only for budgeting purposes. The bill confirms that interest earned on the board's fund automatically goes back into that fund and that money is continuously available to run the system without needing separate legislative approval each year.

regulate industrial hemp-derived delta-8 and delta-10 tetrahydrocannabinol products, and other hemp-derived psychoactive compounds, and to declare an emergency.

# HB 1226 Summary South Dakota will establish new regulations for hemp-derived products containing delta-8 and delta-10 THC (psychoactive compounds similar to marijuana), which currently exist in a legal gray area. The bill creates rules to control how these products are made, sold, and labeled to protect consumers and prevent abuse. The bill declares this an emergency, meaning the regulations take effect immediately rather than waiting for the standard effective date.

waive the fee for nondriver identification cards for individuals who are homeless and to make an appropriation therefor.

HB 1241 eliminates the fee that homeless individuals must pay to obtain a nondriver identification card from South Dakota. The bill modifies state law to make these cards free for people experiencing homelessness, and includes funding to cover the cost of waiving these fees.

expand certification options for interpreters for the deaf.

South Dakota now allows deaf interpreters to become certified through additional organizations beyond just the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and the National Association of the Deaf—including the Educational Interpreters Proficiency Assessment and any other entity approved by the Department of Human Services. The state will review certifications from these organizations to ensure they meet minimum competency standards. Interpreters who were certified by the state before 2006 can continue their certification if they keep their registration current and complete required continuing education hours.

require certain reviews and updating of voter registration records and data sharing.

This bill strengthens South Dakota's voter registration system by requiring courts, coroners, and the Secretary of State to regularly share information about deceased individuals and those declared mentally incompetent so voter rolls can be updated promptly. Courts must now send monthly lists of people declared incompetent to county auditors, coroners must report deaths within five days, and the Secretary of State must check the statewide voter registration database monthly against death records to remove ineligible voters.

accept Uniformed Services ID as proof of veteran status to have veteran designation added to a state license or ID card.

South Dakota now allows honorably discharged veterans to use a Uniformed Services ID Card (Retired) as proof of their veteran status when applying for a veteran designation on their driver's license or ID card. Previously, veterans could only prove their military service using military discharge papers (DD Form 214) or certificates from county veterans service officers. This change makes it easier for retired service members to get the veteran designation without having to locate additional documents.

expand initial training given to law enforcement officers to include Indian law, racial bias, and implicit bias.

SB165 expands the training requirements for new law enforcement officers in South Dakota to include instruction on Indian law, racial bias, and implicit bias. This change modifies the existing law on police officer training to ensure officers receive education on these important topics as part of their initial certification.

authorize the redistricting of water development district director areas by the district's board of directors.

Water development district boards can now redistrict their director areas on their own authority, rather than requiring the state Board of Water and Natural Resources to do it. The change allows districts to adjust their boundaries after each census or when district boundaries change, and gives them flexibility to adjust director areas when voting precincts are redrawn, as long as representation remains fair across all areas.

revise certain provisions regarding military affairs.

HB 1047 updates South Dakota's military affairs laws to reflect modern military branches and organizational structures, including adding the Space Force to the list of armed forces recognized in state law. The bill also clarifies that military personnel can have documents notarized by commissioned officers of higher ranks and removes outdated restrictions on state funding for National Guard uniforms and equipment.

establish the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States – South Dakota and revise provisions related to the foreign ownership or control of agricultural land.

South Dakota creates a new Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States – South Dakota to review and regulate foreign purchases or leases of agricultural land in the state. The bill expands the definition of "foreign entity" to include any business partnership or corporation where foreign persons own 5% or more of the company, closing a loophole that previously allowed foreign-controlled entities to buy farmland more easily. These changes give the state new authority to monitor and potentially restrict foreign agricultural land ownership.