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revise certain provisions related to travel reimbursement.

HB 1060 updates South Dakota's travel reimbursement rules by revising how state employees and officials are reimbursed for travel expenses under state law. The bill repeals four outdated provisions related to travel reimbursement while modifying the core reimbursement standards to streamline the process. These changes modernize the state's travel expense policies without fundamentally altering the overall reimbursement system.

allow a licensed distiller to sell and ship distilled spirits directly to a consumer.

# HB 1170 Summary Licensed distillers in South Dakota would be allowed to sell and ship distilled spirits directly to consumers, rather than being required to go through wholesale distributors. This change opens a direct-to-consumer sales channel for distilled spirits, similar to what some other states permit for craft producers.

amend the requirement to employ a county veterans' service officer.

HB1007 removes the requirement that South Dakota counties must employ a county veterans' service officer, eliminating mandatory staffing positions that were previously required by law. The bill repeals several existing statutes that established and defined these officer positions while modifying related provisions in the county organization code.

revise certain provisions regarding insurance holding companies.

HB1059 restructures South Dakota's insurance holding company regulations by repealing four outdated statutory sections and revising two others to modernize oversight requirements for companies that own insurance operations. The bill eliminates redundant or superseded rules while updating the definitions and provisions governing how insurance holding companies must be regulated and report to the state. These changes streamline state insurance law without fundamentally altering the regulatory framework.

establish an enhanced penalty for probationers intentionally causing contact with bodily fluids or human waste with a Unified Judicial System employee.

HB 1086 creates a new criminal penalty for people on probation who intentionally throw bodily fluids or human waste on employees of South Dakota's court system. The bill adds this enhanced offense to state law to protect judicial workers from this type of assault.

permit an alternative delivery method for issuance of a policy by an insurer.

Insurance companies can now deliver policies to customers using tracked first-class mail or commercial delivery services (like FedEx or UPS) instead of only the methods currently allowed by law. The insurer must keep records proving the policy was delivered for five years. This gives insurers more flexibility in how they get policies to customers while ensuring there's proof of delivery.

provide that a company transporting hydrogen, by pipeline, is not a common carrier.

This bill exempts hydrogen pipeline companies from being classified as common carriers under South Dakota law, meaning they won't be subject to the same regulations that apply to other pipeline operators transporting commodities for hire. The bill also prohibits these hydrogen pipeline companies from using eminent domain to seize private land for pipeline construction.

ensure the availability of law enforcement and emergency services in certain state parks and to declare an emergency.

SB122 increases law enforcement and emergency services capacity in South Dakota state parks by amending funding and authorization laws related to park operations and emergency response. The bill modifies existing provisions in state law governing park management and declares an emergency to allow these changes to take effect immediately rather than waiting for the standard July 1st effective date.

revise provisions regarding drones.

SB 166 clarifies that South Dakota cannot regulate drone ownership, operation, licensing, or pilot certification—powers reserved exclusively to the federal government—and allows people and businesses to operate drones for recreational and commercial purposes as long as they follow federal aviation rules. The bill also shields drone operators from state and local lawsuits simply for flying drones in compliance with federal regulations. These changes prevent South Dakota cities and counties from creating their own conflicting drone rules.

exclude certain crimes from presumptive probation.

HB 1089 removes certain serious crimes from South Dakota's "presumptive probation" laws, which currently require judges to presume that probation is appropriate for many offenders unless the state proves otherwise. By excluding specific crimes from this presumption, the bill gives judges more discretion to impose prison sentences instead of probation for those particular offenses.

streamline the process by which an on-sale retail license holder may acquire a special event license.

This bill expands which types of alcohol license holders can obtain special event licenses in South Dakota by adding on-sale retail license holders (those licensed under § 35-4-111) to the list of eligible applicants for special malt beverage, wine, and on-sale licenses during local events. Previously, special event licenses were primarily available to civic and charitable organizations; this change allows existing bars and restaurants to more easily get temporary licenses for special events in their municipality or county.

repeal certain provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

HB 1199 repeals portions of South Dakota's Uniform Commercial Code that govern which state's laws apply to securities (stocks and bonds) and security transactions. The bill removes rules that determined whether the issuer's home state, the securities intermediary's location, or the location of a physical security certificate would control legal questions about ownership rights and claims to those securities.

exempt an electric vehicle charging station from being subject to a civil fine for overcharging.

This bill prevents electric vehicle charging stations from being fined for overcharging customers for electricity. Previously, any utility or business that charged customers more than the actual electricity they used could face civil fines up to $500, but this bill creates an exception for EV charging stations that follow state regulations.

conduct a feasibility study on the medicaid program of all-inclusive care for the elderly and make an appropriation therefor.

South Dakota will conduct a feasibility study to evaluate whether the state should adopt the federal "All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly" Medicaid program, which provides comprehensive services to help seniors stay in their communities rather than in nursing homes. The bill appropriates funding for this study and makes various updates to state health department rules. The bill repeals several outdated statutory sections related to health program planning.

extend the period of renewal for an enhanced permit to carry a concealed pistol.

HB 1035 extends the renewal period for South Dakota's enhanced concealed carry permits, making them valid for longer before owners need to renew them. The bill also repeals several outdated statutory sections related to permit regulations while updating the core permit requirements in state law. This change gives permit holders more time between renewals, reducing the frequency of required applications and fees.

create term limits for public utilities commissioners.

HB1053 limits how long members of South Dakota's Public Utilities Commission can serve by establishing term limits for commissioners. The bill also repeals several existing statutes related to commission appointments and operations, replacing them with new rules about commissioner terms and eligibility.

amend the valuation service used to value vehicles.

HB 1063 changes how South Dakota values vehicles by switching to a different valuation service. The bill updates the rules for vehicle valuation in state law and removes several outdated provisions related to the old valuation system.

amend provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

HB 1163 updates South Dakota's Uniform Commercial Code by clarifying and refining key definitions used in business and financial transactions, such as what constitutes an "agreement," "bank," "bearer," and "bill of lading." These changes ensure that the state's commercial law definitions align with modern business practices and remain consistent with how other states define these terms. The specific amendments modernize language around electronic documents and negotiable instruments to reflect current commerce practices.

revise unemployment insurance contribution rates.

This bill updates how South Dakota calculates unemployment insurance fees that employers pay based on their "reserve ratio" (how much they've contributed to the unemployment fund relative to benefits paid). Starting in 2024, employers with higher reserve ratios will pay lower investment fees, ranging from 0.53% for those with very low reserves down to 0% for those with reserves of 1.60% or higher. The change replaces the previous fee calculation method and rewards employers who have contributed more to the unemployment fund by reducing their annual fees.

modernize the process for annual audits of third-party insurance administrators.

This bill updates South Dakota's rules for auditing third-party insurance administrators by allowing audits to be conducted virtually instead of requiring them to be performed in person. Insurers that use administrators handling more than 100 customers must still conduct at least two reviews per year, with at least one being a full audit, but that audit can now happen remotely rather than requiring an on-site visit.

define the requirements for granting a carbon pipeline easement.

This bill creates a new legal framework allowing South Dakota landowners to grant easements for carbon dioxide pipelines crossing their property. Carbon pipeline easements must be created in writing, recorded with the county register of deeds, and cannot exceed 50 years in length; the easement becomes void if no carbon dioxide is actually transported within five years, and the pipeline operator must pay landowners at least $1 per linear foot annually while the pipeline is operating.

repeal the Midwestern Regional Higher Education Compact.

South Dakota would withdraw from the Midwestern Regional Higher Education Compact, an agreement that allows students from member states to attend universities in other member states, often at reduced tuition rates. This change would end South Dakota's participation in that multi-state education partnership.

provide consumer protection through fair access to financial and insurance products and services.

This bill establishes new consumer protections requiring South Dakota financial institutions (banks, credit unions, etc.) to make decisions about providing or denying services based on individual risk factors rather than blanket policies. The bill defines what counts as unsafe or unsound practices and prohibits financial institutions from engaging in them, while allowing religiously-affiliated institutions to operate under their stated religious purposes.

Acknowledging the need to protect our borders and affirming South Dakota's support of the defense of the southern border.

This resolution expresses South Dakota's support for defending the U.S. southern border but does not change any state laws or create new legal requirements. House concurrent resolutions are symbolic statements of the legislature's position rather than enforceable legal changes.

permit the use of tribal identification cards when registering to vote.

# SB119 Summary This bill allows Native Americans to use tribal identification cards as valid identification when registering to vote in South Dakota. The change modifies voter registration requirements to accept tribal IDs alongside other forms of identification currently permitted by state law.

establish the nonbeneficiary student scholarship program and make an appropriation therefor.

SB157 creates a new nonbeneficiary student scholarship program in South Dakota, which provides scholarships to students who don't qualify for need-based financial aid. The bill modifies the existing scholarship law (§21-16-7) and includes funding for this new program.

modify provisions pertaining to unethical conduct and improper collection of fees relating to assistance or referrals in a veterans benefits matter.

SB 180 strengthens protections against unethical conduct by people who charge veterans fees for helping them access veterans benefits or making referrals to benefits services. The bill modifies existing rules in state law to clarify what constitutes improper fee collection and tighten restrictions on who can charge for these types of veterans assistance.

amend the amount a merchant or place of business may assess against returned checks.

SB38 increases the amount that merchants and businesses can charge customers for bounced checks, modifying the fee structure in South Dakota law. The bill also repeals several older provisions related to check-handling procedures while updating the rules in a new section of law. This change makes it more expensive for customers when their checks fail to clear.

exempt one motor vehicle of a debtor from being taken by legal process.

SB95 protects one motor vehicle owned by a debtor from being seized to pay off debts through court proceedings. This new protection is added to South Dakota law and ensures that debtors can keep at least one vehicle even when creditors win judgments against them.

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 members of Congress and other federal officials.

South Dakota is applying to Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, with the goal of proposing amendments that would limit federal spending and power and restrict how long members of Congress and other federal officials can serve. This is a request to participate in a multi-state effort to change the U.S. Constitution itself, not a change to state law. The bill amends South Dakota's existing application procedures to make this request.

limit annual valuation increases on owner-occupied single-family dwellings.

HB 1040 caps how much the assessed value of owner-occupied single-family homes can increase each year for property tax purposes. The bill modifies the state's property valuation rules to limit these annual increases, which means homeowners' property tax bills won't jump as dramatically from year to year. Several existing provisions related to property valuation are repealed as part of implementing this new cap system.

revise provisions related to tax deeds and to declare an emergency.

HB 1090 revises South Dakota's tax deed laws by adding new requirements to chapters 36-32 and 11-15, though the provided text excerpt does not include the specific substantive changes to those chapters. The bill also declares an emergency, meaning its provisions take effect immediately rather than waiting for the standard effective date.

place restrictions on the ownership of agricultural land.

HB 1231 adds new restrictions on who can own agricultural land in South Dakota by prohibiting foreign entities and foreign persons from purchasing it, with limited exceptions for those with minimal foreign ownership. The bill clarifies what counts as "agricultural land" and defines key terms like "foreign entity," "foreign government," and "foreign person" to enforce these ownership restrictions.

repeal and replace an appropriation regarding the South Dakota women's prison and to declare an emergency.

SB170 changes the state budget allocation for the South Dakota women's prison by repealing the previous appropriation and replacing it with a new one. The bill declares this budget change an emergency, allowing it to take effect immediately rather than following the standard legislative process. The specific details of how much funding is added or redirected are contained in the amended statute section.

modify and repeal provisions related to the licensure of hearing aid dispensers and audiologists.

HB1029 streamlines South Dakota's licensing rules for hearing aid dispensers and audiologists by eliminating outdated licensing requirements and consolidating related regulations. The bill repeals several sections of state law governing these professions while updating the remaining licensing standards to reflect current industry practices. These changes simplify the licensing process for hearing health professionals while maintaining consumer protections.

Recognizing the Mitchell Friends of NRA as the largest Friends of NRA chapter in the state and celebrating the chapter's significant support of gun safety classes, hunter education courses, and youth shooting sports.

HCR 6005 is a ceremonial resolution that honors the Mitchell Friends of NRA chapter as South Dakota's largest such chapter and celebrates its work in supporting gun safety classes, hunter education programs, and youth shooting sports. This resolution does not change state law—it simply recognizes the organization's contributions to these activities in South Dakota.

authorize certain employer actions regarding the use of cannabis by an employee or a prospective employee.

SB 12 allows employers in South Dakota to test employees and job applicants for cannabis use and take action based on those results, even in situations where cannabis use might otherwise be legally protected. The bill removes previous restrictions that limited employers' ability to enforce cannabis-free workplace policies and workplace conduct rules related to cannabis use.

encourage sales of meat through the use of animal share agreements and the creation of a processor grant program.

SB206 makes it easier for farmers and ranchers to sell meat directly to consumers through "animal share agreements" (where customers buy a share of an animal) by amending existing rules around direct meat sales. The bill also creates a new grant program to help meat processors expand their operations, supporting local food production. These changes are designed to boost South Dakota's meat sales through direct-to-consumer and local processing channels.

make an appropriation for costs related to the suppression of wildfires impacting the state and to declare an emergency.

HB 1062 appropriates state funds to pay for wildfire suppression costs that have affected South Dakota and declares an emergency to expedite this spending. The bill modifies the state's emergency appropriations process and repeals several outdated emergency-related provisions from state law.

permit a person convicted of certain driving under the influence offenses to drive for certain purposes.

HB1083 allows people convicted of certain driving under the influence offenses to obtain a limited driving permit for essential purposes like work, medical appointments, or school. The bill modifies South Dakota's DUI laws and vehicle code to create this exception to the normal driving restrictions that apply to DUI convicts.

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.

revise requirements for mining and mineral exploration.

SB111 reorganizes South Dakota's mining license requirements by clarifying which materials require permits (sand, gravel, rock, pegmatite, limestone, iron ore, gypsum, shale, and pozzolan) and establishing a $100 annual fee per mine site. The bill also modifies surety bond requirements for mining operations, allowing operators licensed before July 1, 2024, to post either $500 per acre or a flat $20,000 bond through June 30, 2026.

allow a person to temporarily take responsibility of a feral cat for the purpose of spaying or neutering the animal.

SB 172 allows people to temporarily take care of feral cats for the purpose of having them spayed or neutered without facing legal liability. This change amends the state's animal control law (§21-16-7) to create an exception so that caring for a feral cat during this medical procedure doesn't violate existing regulations.

revise provisions related to the regulation of emergency medical services and associated personnel.

SB 64 restructures South Dakota's emergency medical services regulations by significantly expanding and revising the rules that govern EMS personnel and their oversight. The bill removes outdated provisions and creates a comprehensive new regulatory framework for how EMS workers are trained, certified, and supervised across the state.

Applying to the United States Congress under Article V of the United States Constitution to call for a convention for proposing an amendment to the constitution establishing congressional term limits.

South Dakota is applying to Congress to support calling a constitutional convention focused solely on proposing a congressional term limits amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This joint resolution asks Congress to use the Article V convention process—an alternative method to amend the Constitution that bypasses the normal congressional amendment route.

prohibit the dissemination of materially deceptive media without disclosure and to provide a penalty therefor.

South Dakota would make it illegal to share fake or manipulated images, videos, or audio recordings without clearly labeling them as altered—such as with a visible "This image/video/audio has been manipulated" disclosure. The disclosure must be easy to read or hear and stay visible or audible throughout the entire recording. Violating this rule would be a Class 1 misdemeanor.