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revise the water resources projects list.

# SB7 Summary SB7 updates South Dakota's water resources projects list by revising how projects are approved and managed, removing outdated provisions from state law that are no longer needed. The bill eliminates several old statutes related to project procedures while expanding and clarifying the rules for how water resource projects are selected and prioritized going forward.

make an appropriation of State Fiscal Recovery Fund moneys for eligible water quality projects.

HB1235 appropriates $130.6 million in federal pandemic relief funds to the Board of Water and Natural Resources to distribute as grants for water quality improvement projects that reduce pollution runoff. The grants must be used only for projects that meet federal requirements under the Clean Water Act, and any unspent money will be returned to the federal government.

modify the observation of time in South Dakota.

# HB1009 Summary South Dakota will no longer observe Daylight Saving Time, instead staying on Central Standard Time year-round. The bill removes the state's previous rules requiring the shift between standard and daylight time and updates the law governing how the state observes time.

create a habitat conservation specialty plate and emblem.

South Dakota residents can now purchase special license plates featuring a habitat conservation emblem designed by the Department of Game, Fish and Parks. Vehicle owners who want these plates will pay an extra $10 administrative fee when they register their automobiles, pickup trucks, vans, or motorcycles, with the fee going into a special revenue fund. The plates must be renewed every three years like standard registration.

Honoring Sophie Spier of Sioux Falls, South Dakota Girls State Governor, and Gavin Pischke of Hartford, 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 honoring Sophie Spier as the 2024 South Dakota Girls State Governor and Gavin Pischke as the 2024 South Dakota Boys State Governor. The resolution also commends the South Dakota American Legion and Auxiliary for running and supporting these youth leadership programs. No changes to state law are made—this is purely an expression of appreciation from the legislature.

Honoring Pat Powers for his years of service to the South Dakota Republican Party.

This is a ceremonial resolution honoring Pat Powers for his service to the South Dakota Republican Party rather than a substantive law change. While the bill amends several sections of state law related to elections and party organization, the excerpts provided don't clearly show what specific policy changes are being made, so I cannot provide an accurate summary of the actual legal changes without seeing the complete bill text.

make an appropriation to create the healthy forest critical infrastructure relief and grant program and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota is creating a new grant and relief program for businesses that remove timber and treat forest land in the Black Hills to prevent wildfires and insect damage, funded with $20 million in federal pandemic relief money administered by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Eligible businesses can apply for either compensation for losses they've already suffered since 2020 or grants to prevent future losses, with a cap of $15 million per applicant. This is a new program—no existing law is being changed, just created.

restrict the power of eminent domain to a utility used for a public purpose.

SB218 limits when utilities can use eminent domain (the government power to take private property) by requiring that the taking must genuinely serve a public purpose. The bill modifies existing law in §10-39-45.1 and adds new restrictions in Chapter 12-4 to prevent utilities from seizing land for projects that primarily benefit private interests rather than the public.

modify the residency requirements for voter registration and declare an emergency.

SB17 changes South Dakota's voter registration rules by modifying residency requirements for who can register to vote. The bill repeals several existing voter eligibility provisions and updates the registration process, though the exact new requirements are not detailed in the available text. The bill declares these changes an emergency matter.

Honoring and remembering the life of Brandon Valley Middle School student Spencer Roger Thorsland.

This resolution honors the memory of Spencer Roger Thorsland, a Brandon Valley Middle School student who has passed away. The bill does not change any state law, but instead serves as a formal legislative tribute to remember his life.

create the South Dakota-Ireland Trade Commission.

SB165 creates a new South Dakota-Ireland Trade Commission to promote trade and economic relationships between South Dakota and Ireland. The bill amends state law to establish this commission as an official state body, though the provided text does not include the specific details about the commission's structure, powers, or membership requirements.