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provide for the disclosure of a cast vote record and ballot images as a public record and declare an emergency.

SB 48 requires South Dakota election officials to make cast vote records (the electronic record of how each ballot was marked) and ballot images (copies of marked ballots) available to the public as public records. The bill removes restrictions that previously kept these election documents confidential, making them accessible for public inspection and review.

lower the state sales tax rate and the state use tax rate on food to zero percent, and to increase certain gross receipts tax rates, excise tax rates, and use tax rates.

SB 164 eliminates state sales tax and use tax on food purchases by lowering those rates to zero percent. To offset the lost revenue, the bill increases various other state taxes, including gross receipts taxes, excise taxes, and certain use tax rates on other goods and services.

update references to certain federal motor carrier regulations.

HB1050 updates South Dakota's motor carrier regulations to align with current federal standards by revising references in state law and removing outdated regulatory provisions. The bill eliminates several superseded sections while modernizing the state's rules governing commercial truck operators and safety standards.

clarify provisions pertaining to tax increment finance districts.

HB1194 updates South Dakota's tax increment finance district law to clarify that counties, not just cities and towns, can create and use these districts for development projects. The bill also expands the definition of "planning commission" to include county boards of commissioners and planning committees that serve counties without dedicated planning commissions, ensuring counties have the same tools available to municipalities for financing district projects.

Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota revising the process by which a legislative vacancy is filled.

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that would change how South Dakota fills vacant legislative seats. If approved by voters in the next general election, the amendment would replace the current process for filling these vacancies with a new procedure. The specific details of the new process are not included in the excerpt provided, but the change would require a constitutional amendment rather than a simple law change.

Honoring the late Alexei Navalny for his bravery in standing in opposition to Vladimir Putin and for his tireless advocacy for democracy in Russia.

This resolution honors the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny for his opposition to Vladimir Putin and his efforts to promote democracy in Russia. The resolution does not change any state law—it is a ceremonial measure expressing the South Dakota Senate's recognition of Navalny's courage and advocacy.

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.

Celebrating the South Dakota State University Jackrabbit football team winning a second consecutive NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) National Championship.

HC 8009 is a ceremonial resolution that honors South Dakota State University's football team for winning back-to-back national championships in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). This bill does not change any existing state law; it simply celebrates the athletic achievement.

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.

establish a property tax exemption for religious societies, and to modify the application requirements for certain property tax exemptions.

Religious organizations that own undeveloped land in South Dakota can now claim a property tax exemption on that land for up to ten years. The bill also simplifies the exemption process by allowing property owners to keep their exemption automatically each year after the first approval, rather than reapplying annually, unless the property changes owners, no longer qualifies, or reaches the maximum exemption period.

establish a non-resident title fee.

South Dakota will charge non-residents a $100 fee when they title a motor vehicle, off-road vehicle, snowmobile, or boat in the state if they lack a South Dakota driver's license, ID card, or physical address. The fee does not apply to correcting or duplicating existing titles, and revenue is split equally between the state motor vehicle fund and county governments.

allow eligible members of the South Dakota National Guard attending an in-state private, nonprofit post-secondary institution to receive the state tuition benefit.

SB 29 extends the state tuition benefit program to South Dakota National Guard members who attend private, nonprofit colleges and universities in the state, not just public institutions. The bill repeals several outdated provisions and updates the tuition assistance rules to make private nonprofit schools eligible for this educational benefit. This expands education funding options for Guard members pursuing higher education at in-state private institutions.

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.