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Defund the Huron School District.

HB 1224 would prevent the state Department of Education from distributing any state education funding to the Huron School District, effectively cutting off all state aid payments that would normally go to that district. This changes existing law by creating a specific exception that blocks state funding to Huron schools regardless of what the general state budget appropriates for education statewide.

Enhance education in South Dakota.

SB 197 is a symbolic statement rather than a specific law change—it declares that the Legislature intends to enhance education in South Dakota but provides no actual mechanisms, funding, or requirements to accomplish this goal. The bill contains no amendments to existing education law, no new rules, and no concrete actions, making it essentially a non-binding expression of legislative intent without substantive legal effect.

Amend definitions pertaining to the school funding formula.

HB1003 updates how South Dakota counts students for school funding by clarifying that nonresident students in state custody—such as those under the Department of Social Services or Department of Corrections—are counted in the school district that enrolls them. The bill also refines the "fall enrollment" calculation used in the school funding formula to ensure these state-custody students are included in the count and not subtracted when computing state aid to education.

Establish parameters for the reimbursement of school districts that provide free or reduced-price meals to students.

This bill prohibits South Dakota school districts from charging eligible students for meals if they qualify for free or reduced-price meals under federal nutrition programs. School districts can still charge students who don't qualify for federal assistance, as well as employees and other individuals. The state will reimburse school districts for the costs of providing free and reduced-price meals to eligible students, minus any federal reimbursement they receive.

Modify the maximum sparsity benefit a sparse school district is eligible to receive.

This bill increases the maximum sparsity benefit that sparse school districts can receive from $110,000 to $175,000 per fiscal year. Starting July 1, 2026, this maximum amount will automatically increase each year based on an inflation index to keep pace with rising costs.

Appropriate money for the ordinary expenses of the legislative, judicial, and executive departments of the state, the current expenses of state institutions, interest on the public debt, and for common schools.

Senate Bill 189 appropriates money from the state treasury to fund the ordinary operating expenses of South Dakota's legislative, judicial, and executive branches, as well as state institutions, schools, and debt interest for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. The bill allocates specific funding amounts across general funds, federal funds, and other sources for agencies like the Governor's Office, the Office of Economic Development, and the Housing Development Authority. This is a standard annual appropriations bill that authorizes spending but does not change existing state laws—it simply provides the budget for state government operations.

Make an appropriation for school security enhancement grants.

South Dakota will allocate $10 million to help public and nonpublic schools improve their physical security through grants of up to $2 million per year. Schools must first have completed a security assessment and established a trained behavioral threat assessment team to qualify for funding, which can be used to install items like access control systems, surveillance cameras, panic buttons, and improved locks and fencing. The Department of Public Safety will accept grant applications each year from July 1 to August 15 and may use some of the appropriated funds to administer the program.

Reduce a limit on the annual increases of property tax revenues payable to certain taxing districts, and to subject school districts to a limit on property taxes collected in a year.

This bill lowers the annual property tax revenue growth limit for most taxing districts from 3% to 2.5%, making it harder for local governments to increase tax collections year-to-year. The bill also removes school districts from this revenue limit entirely, meaning they will now be subject to their own separate property tax collection limits instead of the general taxing district rules.

Revise property tax levies for school districts and to revise the state aid to general and special education formulas.

SB 55 reduces the maximum property tax rates that school districts can charge for their general funds starting in 2026, lowering the overall rate from $5.54 per thousand dollars of taxable value to $5.21, with proportional reductions for agricultural and owner-occupied residential properties. The bill also revises how the state calculates financial aid to school districts for general and special education programs. These changes affect property tax bills for school funding and adjust the balance between local property taxes and state education aid.

Provide tuition for a student who is placed in a residential treatment center that provides educational programming.

When a student is placed in a residential treatment center that offers educational programs, the local school district where that center is located must provide education for the student and pay tuition according to existing state funding formulas. This bill clarifies that students already enrolled in a school district or state-operated school remain entitled to tuition funding when placed in such treatment centers, unless they were placed by the Department of Corrections or Department of Social Services.

Make an appropriation for a student teacher stipend grant program.

South Dakota is setting aside $500,000 to help school districts pay stipends (bonus payments) to student teachers working in their classrooms. School districts can apply for grants of up to $5,000 each during July and August each year, which must go toward paying student teachers who hold the proper permits from the Department of Education.

Amend the other revenue base amount available to certain school districts.

HB1183 adjusts how South Dakota calculates school funding for certain districts by modifying the "other revenue base amount" used in state education aid formulas. The bill refines the definition of "fall enrollment"—the student count that determines funding—by clarifying which students count toward a district's enrollment and how alternative instruction students are included in the calculation. This change affects how much state money school districts receive based on their student population.

Authorize a loan from the South Dakota housing infrastructure fund to a school district adjoining a federal military installation for the construction or expansion of a school building.

South Dakota is giving $15 million to the Ellsworth Development Authority to fund capital projects and infrastructure improvements in communities near Ellsworth Air Force Base, in response to the base's expected expansion and increased personnel. The money comes from the state's general fund and will support community needs created by the base growth. The bill declares an emergency so the funding takes effect immediately upon approval.

Establish a maximum school administrator salary.

This bill caps school administrator salaries at three times the average teacher salary within each school district. Under this new rule, school districts cannot pay any administrator more than that calculated maximum amount based on their own teachers' average pay.

Reduce a maximum property tax mill levy on owner-occupied single-family dwellings for school district general funds, and to repeal certain sales tax exemptions.

This bill reduces the school property tax on owner-occupied single-family homes from $2.68 per $1,000 of value to $1.99 per $1,000 of value, starting with taxes payable in 2026. The bill also repeals certain sales tax exemptions to help offset the lost school funding from the property tax reduction.

Amend the programs reimbursing a teacher or school counselor for earning national board certification.

South Dakota is eliminating its reimbursement programs that helped teachers and school counselors pay for national board certification exams and fees. The bill removes state funding that previously covered application and examination costs for National Board Certification, as well as annual $2,000 stipends ($1,000 from the state and $1,000 from school districts) that certified counselors received.

Reduce the state's contribution to a subsidized high school dual credit program.

South Dakota's dual credit program for high school juniors and seniors currently splits tuition costs between students and the state, with the state covering about 67% of the cost. This bill reduces the state's share to 50%, meaning students and school districts would pay a larger combined share of the dual credit tuition. The change makes the program less subsidized by shifting more of the financial burden away from the state.

Require a school district to provide dyslexia screening.

School districts must now screen students who show signs of dyslexia and provide them with evidence-based intervention strategies if screening indicates they have dyslexia characteristics. The State Board of Education Standards will create guidelines to help teachers, administrators, and parents identify students with dyslexia and understand what educational services are available.

Amend provisions pertaining to a school district's proposed opt out, capital outlay certificate, or other agreement.

This bill clarifies the timing and notice requirements for school districts that want to increase property taxes through an excess tax levy. The changes require school districts to specify how many years the tax increase will apply and ensure that public notices about proposed tax increases are published at least twice before an opt-out election occurs, rather than before the tax takes effect.

Reduce the growth in the assessed value of owner-occupied property, limit increases in certain property tax revenues, revise provisions regarding school district excess tax levies, and revise eligibility requirements for a property tax assessment freeze.

This bill limits how much the assessed value of owner-occupied homes can increase each year, reducing property tax growth for homeowners. The bill also changes rules about school district tax levies and adjusts who qualifies for the state's property tax assessment freeze program. These changes are designed to slow the rise in property taxes on primary residences in South Dakota.

Appropriate money for the ordinary expenses of the legislative, judicial, and executive departments of the state, the current expenses of state institutions, interest on the public debt, and common schools.

Senate Bill 220 appropriates state money to pay for the regular operating costs of South Dakota's legislative, judicial, and executive branches, as well as state institutions and public schools for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. The bill allocates funding across general state funds, federal funds, and other sources to cover personnel, operating expenses, and contingency needs for agencies like the Governor's Office and the Office of Economic Development. This is the state's primary budget bill that ensures government departments and schools have money to operate during the upcoming fiscal year.

Require that all certified educators take a course in South Dakota Indian Studies.

South Dakota is expanding its requirement for Indian Studies training by requiring all certified educators—not just new teachers or those hired from out-of-state—to complete a three-credit-hour course covering Native American language, culture, history, and educational approaches. The course curriculum remains unchanged and must address tribal languages, cultural awareness, history, traditional tribal education, and teaching strategies tailored to Indian learning styles.

Allow public schools to authorize an individual to volunteer or be employed as a school chaplain.

Public schools in South Dakota must now adopt a policy allowing volunteers to serve as school chaplains, with each chaplain's religious affiliation publicly listed on the district website. The policy must specify chaplain qualifications and allowed duties, but cannot require student participation and must prohibit chaplains from having any disciplinary authority over students. Chaplain volunteers must pass the same criminal background checks as hired school employees and cannot have convictions for crimes involving moral turpitude, crimes of violence, sex offenses, or drug trafficking.

Provide for the inclusion of education regarding mental health in the South Dakota health education standards.

South Dakota schools must include mental health education in their health curriculum whenever the state revises its health education standards, covering topics like recognizing mental illness symptoms, understanding how mental health affects overall wellness, and learning where to find help. The Board of Education Standards will consult with mental health experts to develop these new standards, which will also address reducing stigma around mental illness and teaching practical coping skills for stress management.

Require that a school curriculum include human growth and development within the health curriculum.

Starting in grade three, South Dakota school districts must add lessons about human pregnancy and fetal development to their health curriculum, including showing students a high-definition ultrasound video (at least three minutes long) displaying fetal brain, heart, and organ development, plus a video showing fertilization and all stages of development in the womb. This is a new requirement that school boards must incorporate into their health classes using lessons, lectures, or digital presentations.

Require that public school students be provided with information regarding age-of-consent laws and legal and mental health resources.

South Dakota school districts must now provide students starting in fifth grade with annual information about the state's age-of-consent laws and available legal and mental health resources, presented in an age-appropriate way. This is a new requirement that adds to existing school curriculum standards but does not change any existing laws—it only requires schools to educate students about those laws and direct them to support services.

Require the display and curricular inclusion of the Ten Commandments and other documents.

School districts in South Dakota would be required to display a poster or document at least 8 inches by 14 inches with the Ten Commandments in every classroom, printed in large, easy-to-read font. The law also requires schools to display historical statements near the Ten Commandments posters explaining their role in early American education. This creates a new requirement for public schools to include this religious text in their classrooms.