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modify the limit of consecutive terms for members of the Board of Technical Education.

This bill increases the term limit for members of the Board of Technical Education from two consecutive three-year terms to three consecutive three-year terms, allowing board members to serve up to nine years instead of six years. The change applies to board members going forward while keeping the three-year term length and staggered appointment schedule intact.

revise provisions related to the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority.

This bill modifies the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority's board structure by clarifying that both the president of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and the president of Black Hills State University serve as ex-officio, nonvoting members alongside the seven voting members appointed by the Governor. The bill makes minor technical corrections to the board composition rules and the authority's existing powers, but does not significantly change the agency's core functions or governance structure.

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.

establish a uniform method for calculating high school credit received from completing postsecondary courses.

South Dakota high school students can already take college courses for dual credit, but schools have been calculating how much high school credit to award for these courses differently. This bill requires the state Board of Education Standards to create a uniform statewide method for calculating that high school credit so all students are treated consistently, regardless of which school district they attend.

authorize the sale of real property in Lake County by the Board of Regents, and to declare an emergency.

The Board of Regents is authorized to sell real property that the state owns in Lake County. The bill declares this action an emergency, which allows it to take effect immediately rather than waiting for the standard delayed effective date.

provide for supervised practice.

University of South Dakota law school graduates can now become licensed attorneys without taking the bar exam if they complete 1,000 hours of supervised legal practice under an experienced South Dakota lawyer and meet other requirements including passing a professional responsibility exam. This creates a new pathway to practice law in South Dakota that skips the traditional bar examination requirement, though applicants must still demonstrate good moral character and be state residents.

make an appropriation for the purchase of cybersecurity upgrades by the Board of Regents and to declare an emergency.

SB 32 appropriates state money for the Board of Regents to purchase cybersecurity upgrades for South Dakota's public university system. The bill declares an emergency, allowing the funding to take effect immediately rather than waiting for the standard effective date.