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authorize the Department of Corrections to purchase certain real property, to contract for the design of a prison facility for offenders committed to the Department of Corrections, to make an appropriation therefor, to transfer funds to the incarceration construction fund, and to declare an emergency.

# HB 1017 Summary This bill allows the Department of Corrections to buy land and hire designers to plan a new prison facility for state inmates. The bill also provides money for these purchases and design work, and declares the matter urgent so the state can move forward quickly on this prison project.

make an appropriation to support volunteer fire departments and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota appropriates $1 to the Department of Public Safety to distribute grants to volunteer fire departments for purchasing safety equipment and gear needed to meet state and federal safety rules. The bill declares an emergency, meaning it takes effect immediately rather than waiting for the standard July 1 effective date.

revise certain provisions regarding the reimbursement of county expenses in detaining parole violators.

This bill increases the daily reimbursement rate that South Dakota pays counties for holding parolees from $70 to $95 per day. The change applies to both the reimbursement cap itself and the voucher claim process that counties use to request payment from the state.

require a convicted defendant to reimburse for the cost of digital forensic examination fees.

Convicted defendants in South Dakota will now be required to pay up to $95 toward the cost of any digital forensic examination performed on their phones, tablets, laptops, or other personal electronic devices during the investigation and prosecution of their case. Fees collected will be deposited into a special fund to reimburse the Attorney General's office for administering these digital forensic procedures. The bill updates state law to make digital forensic examination fees a standard part of sentencing for anyone convicted of a felony or misdemeanor.

authorize counties to issue bonds for certain expenditures funded by a gross receipts tax.

South Dakota counties can now issue bonds to fund construction, repairs, or renovation of courthouses, jails, public safety centers, and addiction treatment facilities, with the bonds paid back through a county gross receipts tax. Previously, counties had restrictions on issuing bonds for these types of projects under existing state law. The county governing body must pledge to collect enough tax revenue to repay the bonds while they're outstanding.

Celebrating the life, legacy, and accomplishments of Lionel Bordeaux.

HC8002 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Lionel Bordeaux and celebrating his life, legacy, and accomplishments—it does not change any state laws. This type of resolution is a formal recognition passed by the House of Representatives to acknowledge an individual's contributions.

expand the availability of emergency services in state parks.

This bill expands conservation officers' authority to enforce more types of crimes in state parks and requires the Department of Game, Fish and Parks to provide 24-hour emergency dispatch services during the summer season (May 15 through September 30). The bill also gives conservation officers the power to investigate vehicle accidents on state park property and file required reports, treating them the same as other law enforcement officers when performing these duties. These changes aim to improve emergency response and public safety in South Dakota's state parks during peak visitor season.

clarify and modernize cremation requirements and procedures.

SB 141 updates South Dakota's cremation laws to clarify procedures and modernize requirements for crematories and funeral homes. The bill amends the existing cremation statute (§24-11-13) to make the rules clearer and more current with modern practices.

create the Commission on Indian Affairs.

SB 164 creates a new Commission on Indian Affairs in South Dakota state government. The bill amends existing law (§24-11-13) to establish this commission, which will serve as a dedicated body to address issues and policies affecting Native American tribes and communities in the state.

establish and modify provisions related to public safety.

allow property tax rates for an ambulance district to vary based on property classification.

Ambulance districts can now set different property tax rates depending on the type of property (residential, commercial, agricultural, etc.), rather than charging the same rate to all property owners. The total revenue collected from all these varying rates combined still cannot exceed the current 60-cent-per-thousand-dollar limit. This change takes effect for property taxes payable in 2024 and later.

place certain substances on the controlled substances schedule and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota's controlled substances law is being updated to better define "controlled substance analogue"—drugs that are chemically similar to illegal substances but slightly modified to skirt existing laws (like synthetic drugs). The bill expands the definition to catch more designer drugs by covering substances with similar chemical structures or similar effects on the nervous system, even if they're not exact copies of listed controlled substances. This change gives law enforcement clearer tools to prosecute people who make and sell these copycat drugs.

appoint an advisory committee for use of force and qualifying handgun course development.

This bill creates a new advisory committee that will help South Dakota's Attorney General develop and update firearms training courses, including a use-of-force course for instructors and a qualifying handgun course. The committee will include the state's NRA training counselor (who chairs it), two certified use-of-force instructors, and two handgun experts, with members serving three-year terms and receiving standard state compensation.

update certain provisions regarding the Department of Corrections and the authority of the Secretary of Corrections.

This bill updates language in state law regarding the Department of Corrections by replacing outdated references to "the penitentiary" with the more current term "state correctional facility." The change allows the Governor to offer rewards for the capture of escaped inmates from any state correctional facility, not just the penitentiary specifically, reflecting modern corrections operations.