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revise the requirements pertaining to average teacher compensation and to establish a minimum teacher salary.

SB127 establishes a minimum teacher salary for South Dakota public school teachers and revises how the state calculates average teacher compensation. The bill modifies existing education funding rules and adds new requirements to ensure teachers earn at least a specified minimum wage while updating the benchmarks used to evaluate teacher pay across the state.

make and change an appropriation related to the construction of the new state public health laboratory and to declare an emergency.

SB171 adjusts the state budget to provide additional funding for construction of a new state public health laboratory. The bill modifies appropriations under state law and declares the funding need an emergency to allow immediate release of the money.

permit the appointment of a circuit court judge or Supreme Court justice as a member of the Public Utilities Commission in place of a disqualified or incapacitated commissioner.

SB177 allows a circuit court judge or Supreme Court justice to temporarily serve on the Public Utilities Commission when a regular commissioner becomes unable to work due to disqualification or incapacity. This change makes it easier to keep the commission functioning during unexpected vacancies by tapping judges who are already state employees rather than having to find an outside replacement.

permit fees to be prorated for alcoholic licenses.

SB193 allows alcoholic beverage license fees to be calculated on a prorated basis rather than charged in full, making it easier for businesses to obtain licenses partway through a licensing period. The bill amends existing fee provisions in state law to permit this partial-year fee structure for new applicants.

make an appropriation for the site preparation of a prison facility for offenders committed to the Department of Corrections, to transfer moneys to the incarceration construction fund, and to declare an emergency.

SB49 appropriates state money for preparing a site to build a new prison facility and transfers additional funds to the state's incarceration construction fund. The bill also repeals four outdated statutory provisions related to prior appropriations and construction oversight. Because the bill declares an emergency, these funding provisions take effect immediately rather than waiting until the next fiscal year.

amend provisions pertaining to the partners in education tax credit program.

Senate Bill 94 modifies South Dakota's education scholarship tax credit program by adjusting the income eligibility rules and making technical changes to program definitions. The bill allows students who initially qualify based on household income at or below 150% of the free lunch program threshold to remain eligible for three years (or through high school graduation if entering 9th grade), even if their family income later increases. This change makes the scholarship program more stable for qualifying families by guaranteeing continued eligibility during a student's participation.

permit nonaccredited schools to participate in the partners in education tax credit program.

HB 1253 expands South Dakota's Partners in Education tax credit program to allow nonaccredited schools to participate alongside currently eligible accredited schools. This change lets families use educational scholarships funded through the tax credit program to attend a broader range of private schools, including those that haven't received formal accreditation.

provide property tax relief to certain seniors.

South Dakota seniors age 65 and older with household income of $100,000 or less can now claim a property tax exemption on up to $100,000 of their home's value. The income threshold automatically increases each January 1st based on the cost-of-living index to keep pace with inflation. Seniors must apply annually with the county treasurer by April 1st and provide proof of age and income to qualify.

allow for the permanent reduction of taxes in South Dakota.

HB1175 makes permanent a tax reduction in South Dakota, though the bill text does not specify which taxes are reduced or by how much. This prevents the tax reduction from expiring on a scheduled date and locks in the lower tax rates going forward.