Search Bills

Prohibit the expenditure of certain funds appropriated for purposes related to the construction of a prison facility.

South Dakota will freeze spending on prison construction funds that were approved in 2023 and 2024 until a newly created Incarceration Task Force issues its final recommendations. After the task force makes its recommendation, any prison construction money can only be spent in the way the task force specifies.

Applying to the United States Congress for a convention of the states to propose amendments to the United States Constitution regarding the imposition of fiscal restraints on the federal government, further limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limiting the terms of office for members of Congress and other federal officials.

South Dakota is formally asking Congress to call a constitutional convention where states could propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution—specifically to limit federal spending, reduce federal power, and impose term limits on Congress members and other federal officials. This resolution does not change South Dakota law itself, but rather instructs the state to petition the federal government under Article V of the U.S. Constitution for this convention to occur.

Prohibit use of the South Dakota public utilities commission gross receipts tax fund for reimbursement of costs incurred by the Public Utilities Commission.

This bill allows the Public Utilities Commission to directly bill applicants for the actual costs of investigating and processing their applications, rather than relying on general state revenue funds to cover these expenses. Applicants must deposit fees upfront based on the commission's estimate of review costs, with a cap of 0.25% of the first $100 million in construction costs plus 0.02% of any additional costs, unless the applicant agrees to pay more. If costs exceed the cap, the commission must document that the expenses were necessary before seeking reimbursement from the legislature in the next session.

Establish a minimum combined balance of the budget reserve fund and general revenue replacement fund.

South Dakota must maintain a combined balance of at least 10 percent of next year's general fund spending in its two main savings accounts (the budget reserve fund and general revenue replacement fund). If the combined balance falls below this 10 percent threshold, the state will automatically transfer one-third of the shortfall amount each year from the general fund over three years until the savings accounts reach the required level.

Terminate bounty payments for nest predators, transfer moneys to the general fund, and declare an emergency.

South Dakota will stop paying bounties for killing nest predators like badgers, opossums, raccoons, skunks, and red foxes, and will transfer $500,000 from the Game, Fish and Parks fund to the state's general fund. The bill prohibits the Department of Game, Fish and Parks from using any money to offer bounties on these animals, though the department can still control them through other means like direct personnel and programs. The bill declares this change an emergency.

Repeal provisions for state assistance to persons experiencing chronic renal failure.

South Dakota currently operates a state assistance program that helps people with chronic kidney failure afford dialysis and transplant services when they can't pay for it themselves. This bill eliminates that entire program, meaning the state will no longer provide financial help to kidney failure patients for these life-saving treatments. People needing dialysis or transplants will need to rely solely on federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid, insurance, or other sources of funding.

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.

Suspend the tax collection allowance credit for filing returns and remitting taxes electronically.

South Dakota currently gives businesses a small tax credit (up to $70 per filing period) when they file sales tax returns and pay taxes electronically, to help cover their administrative costs. This bill eliminates that credit entirely, meaning businesses will no longer receive this compensation for filing and paying taxes online.

Provide that public moneys for education may not be used for lobbying purposes.

School districts in South Dakota cannot use public education funds to hire lobbyists or pay membership dues to organizations that primarily represent schools and employ lobbyists. Any school district resident or state taxpayer can sue to stop violations of this rule and recover attorney's fees if they win.

Permit the state to invest in Bitcoin.

South Dakota currently restricts state investment of public funds to traditional securities like government bonds, corporate debt, and bank deposits. This bill adds Bitcoin to the list of allowable investments for state public funds, allowing the state to purchase and hold cryptocurrency as part of its investment portfolio. The change permits—but does not require—state officials to invest taxpayer money in Bitcoin alongside conventional investments.

Prohibit the use of a diversity, equity, or inclusion program in a law enforcement agency.

South Dakota law enforcement agencies would be prohibited from operating diversity, equity, or inclusion (DEI) programs under this new law. Agencies cannot require employees to attend DEI training, spend public money on DEI initiatives, hire DEI coordinators, or contract with organizations that promote such programs. The law defines DEI programs as any practice that provides preferential treatment or classifies people based on race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin.

Provide for the sale of certain real estate located in Pennington County and to provide for the deposit of the proceeds.

South Dakota is authorized to sell a 5.29-acre parcel of state-owned land in Rapid City, Pennington County, along with any buildings or personal property on it. The sale must be appraised by the Board of Appraisal and can proceed on whatever terms the Governor decides, with the money from the sale going into the federal surplus property fund.

Reduce the amount of net receipts of unclaimed property deposited into the general fund.

Starting in fiscal year 2026, this bill caps how much money from unclaimed property can go into South Dakota's general fund, reducing that cap by $10 million each year until it reaches zero. Any unclaimed property revenue beyond the cap gets deposited into a new state trust fund instead, which will be used to return unclaimed property to owners and cover related administrative costs. This change gradually shifts unclaimed property money away from general state spending and toward a dedicated fund focused on returning the money to its rightful owners.

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.

Modify the requirement for payment of a private home study by the Department of Social Services.

This bill removes the requirement that people seeking to adopt a child pay for their own home study. Instead, the Department of Social Services must now cover the full cost of home studies from its state budget, though the Department can set limits on how much it will reimburse for each study.

Repeal provisions regarding the state payment for burial of veterans.

South Dakota would eliminate its program that pays up to $100 toward the burial costs of veterans who meet residency requirements. This repeal removes a benefit that veterans and their spouses have previously been entitled to receive from the state.

Revise the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2025.

This bill adjusts the budget allocations for fiscal year 2025 across several state agencies, including reducing federal funding for the coronavirus stimulus pool while increasing funding for employee compensation, state services, and information technology operations. The changes shift money between different funding sources (general funds, federal funds, and other funds) to cover increased costs in areas like central services, data centers, and telecommunications.

Modify the persons eligible to sign an affidavit for proof of homelessness for purposes of waiving the fee for a nondriver identification card.

This bill expands who can verify that someone is homeless when applying for a free nondriver identification card in South Dakota. Instead of requiring verification only from homeless services providers, the law now also allows school district homeless liaisons, certified school counselors, licensed school nurses, and licensed social workers to sign the affidavit confirming someone's homeless status.

Address issues facing South Dakota.

HB 1150 is a placeholder bill with no substantive legal changes—it simply states that the Legislature intends to address unspecified issues facing South Dakota. The bill contains no actual amendments to existing law, no new regulations, and no defined policies or actions.

Extend by two years the date on which moneys appropriated to the Governor's Office of Economic Development in 2021 for marketing, route restoration, business development, and air service marketing will revert to the general fund.

South Dakota allocated money to the Governor's Office of Economic Development in 2021 for marketing, airline route restoration, business development, and air service promotions, with the requirement that any unused funds return to the state's general fund by a deadline. This bill pushes that deadline back two years, from June 30, 2025 to June 30, 2027, giving the office additional time to spend the money before it reverts to the general fund.

Require legislative approval of real property leases that are necessary for the operation of state government and exceed specified durations or rental payments.

This bill requires the South Dakota Legislature to approve any real property leases that the state government needs to operate if the lease lasts longer than a certain duration or costs more than a specified annual rental amount. Currently, state agencies can enter into these leases without legislative review, but this bill adds a new approval requirement for larger or longer-term leases to give lawmakers more oversight of state spending on real estate.

Attach the South Dakota State Brand Board to the Office of School and Public Lands.

The South Dakota State Brand Board, which oversees livestock branding, will now report to the Office of School and Public Lands instead of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The board keeps all its current duties and authority—this is only a change in which agency it reports to for administrative purposes.

Revise a provision related to the reimbursement of expenses incurred by a county in detaining a parolee.

South Dakota will now reimburse counties up to $95 per day for holding parolees, with full reimbursement for any medication and medical care costs (previously the cap may have applied to all costs). The state will no longer reimburse counties for detaining parolees who are being held on criminal charges unrelated to their original conviction.

Require legislative approval of real property leases that are necessary for the operation of state government and exceed specified durations or rental payments.

This bill requires the South Dakota Legislature to approve any state property leases that last more than a specified time period or cost more than a set amount annually. Currently, state agencies can enter into these leases without legislative oversight, but this bill adds a new check to ensure the Legislature reviews major real property commitments before they go forward.

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.

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.

Provide for the creation and use of South Dakota educational empowerment accounts, and to provide a penalty therefor.

This bill creates a new "educational empowerment account" program that allows parents to request state funding for their school-age children if those children attend private schools instead of public schools. Parents must file a request with the Department of Education, and students using these accounts cannot simultaneously be enrolled in public school or participate in alternative instruction programs.

Establish education savings accounts.

South Dakota would create a new "education savings account" program allowing parents of eligible students (K-12, not enrolled full-time in public school districts) to use state funds at private schools, microschools, virtual education providers, or alternative instruction programs instead of traditional public schools. The bill defines who qualifies (state residents ages 5-18 who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents) and what types of educational providers can receive these funds.

Revise and repeal certain provisions pertaining to the state library and State Library Board.

This bill streamlines South Dakota's state library operations by repealing ten outdated statutory sections that governed the State Library Board while keeping core library functions in place. The changes update language about how the state distributes legal documents to libraries and clarify state policy on providing library services across South Dakota. Overall, the bill modernizes library governance rules without eliminating public library services.

Transfer certain moneys and to make an appropriation for the operations of the state library.

This bill moves $2,047,984 from the livestock disease emergency fund to the state's general fund, then appropriates that same amount to the Department of Education to operate the State Library. Any money not spent by the deadline will be returned to the general fund according to standard procedures.

Make an appropriation benefitting South Dakotans.

This bill authorizes the South Dakota Legislature to make a financial appropriation to benefit South Dakotans, but the bill text itself doesn't specify the amount, purpose, or recipient of the funds. The actual details of how the money will be spent would need to be determined through the state's budget process or separate legislation.

Prohibit the enforcement and implementation of directives from intergovernmental organizations, and to provide a penalty therefor.

This bill makes it illegal for South Dakota officials and employees to enforce or follow directives from international organizations like the United Nations, World Health Organization, and World Economic Forum, or from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued after July 1, 2025. Violations would be treated as a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill essentially declares these organizations have no authority in South Dakota and prevents state and local officials from implementing their rules, regulations, policies, or mandates.

Prohibit the use of public funds for campaigning or other partisan activity, and to provide a penalty therefor.

This bill strengthens restrictions on government use of public money for political campaigns and partisan activities by state employees, officials, and candidates. It prohibits using public funds, facilities, equipment, and other resources to influence elections or political issues, and prevents political candidates and committees from accepting contributions from government agencies, tribes, or foreign governments. Violations will result in penalties under state law.

Make an appropriation for economic development in South Dakota.

South Dakota allocates $100 from its general fund for economic development activities across the state. Any money from this appropriation that isn't spent or committed by the deadline will be returned to the general fund following standard budget procedures.

Amend provisions regarding the Division of Insurance and the former Division of Securities operating fund.

South Dakota is consolidating its insurance and securities operating funds into a single insurance operating fund and adjusting how money flows between these funds and the state's general treasury. The bill increases the cash threshold that must be kept in the insurance fund before excess money goes to the general fund from $175,000 to $200,000 each quarter. These changes streamline financial management for the Division of Insurance under the Department of Labor and Regulation.

Revise and repeal provisions related to the 911 emergency surcharge and the 911 Coordination Board.

SB37 changes when public safety answering points (911 call centers) must submit their annual reports to the state board—moving the deadline from July 31st to March 31st each year, and shifting the reporting period from July-to-July to January-to-December. The bill also repeals an expiration date that was set to end a previous 911-related law on July 1, 2026, effectively making that law permanent.

Authorize the payment of lease rental obligations to the South Dakota Building Authority by the Bureau of Finance and Management, to make an appropriation therefore, and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota is appropriating nearly $53.7 million from its general fund to pay lease obligations that state agencies owe to the South Dakota Building Authority for three facilities: the Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory ($36.6 million), the Precision Agriculture Building ($15.5 million), and statewide fish hatcheries ($1.6 million). The bill declares this an emergency matter, allowing the state to make these lease payments immediately.

Repeal enforcement provisions and modify requirements related to the fluoridation of public water supplies.

SB133 eliminates the requirement that water suppliers maintain a *minimum* fluoride level, replacing it with a maximum limit of 4.0 milligrams per liter, meaning fluoridation becomes optional rather than mandatory. The bill also removes enforcement provisions and eliminates the Public Health Advisory Committee's role in overseeing water fluoridation, transferring those responsibilities to the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Make an appropriation to enhance the economic health of South Dakota.

This bill appropriates $100 from South Dakota's general fund to enhance the state's economic health, though it doesn't specify how the money will be spent. Any portion of the funds not used by the state will be returned according to standard state procedures.

Make an appropriation for developing the economic viability of South Dakota.

This bill appropriates $100 from South Dakota's general fund to support economic development initiatives across the state. The money will be available for spending through the normal state voucher and warrant approval process, with any unused funds reverting back according to standard procedures by June 29, 2025.

Prohibit political subdivisions from interfering with immigration enforcement.

South Dakota cities and counties are prohibited from creating rules that prevent their employees from reporting immigration status information to federal authorities or cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. Any local ordinance or policy that interferes with such cooperation or grants unauthorized legal status to individuals would be void and unenforceable.

Modify aircraft registration fees and to provide a penalty therefor.

South Dakota aircraft registration fees are being doubled for most weight categories—for example, planes weighing 1,501-2,000 pounds will pay $80 instead of $40 annually. The bill also simplifies regulations by eliminating two outdated sections of aircraft registration law and clarifies how lease taxes apply to short-term versus long-term aircraft rentals.

Repeal the expiration of a reduction in certain gross receipts and use tax rates.

SB214 makes permanent a reduction in South Dakota's gross receipts and use tax rates that was previously set to expire on June 30, 2027. Instead of reverting to the higher tax rates after that date, the lower tax rates will now remain in effect indefinitely. This means businesses and consumers will continue to benefit from these reduced tax rates beyond 2027.

Amend certain fees collected by the secretary of state.

This bill converts the Secretary of State's filing fees from numerals to written-out words (for example, changing "$150" to "one hundred fifty dollars") and reorganizes how certain corporate filing fees are numbered in state law. The changes are purely formatting and clarification—no actual fee amounts are increased or decreased.

Repeal a requirement regarding possession of a registry card.

HB1124 repeals a law that previously required people to carry a registry identification card to use an affirmative defense related to cannabis possession under South Dakota law. After this change, people can use that legal defense without needing to possess or show a registry card.

Authorize the sale of real property in Spink County by the Department of Human Services and to declare an emergency.

The Department of Human Services is authorized to sell a specific parcel of land in Spink County and any buildings or equipment on it. Any money from the sale will go into the state's general fund after paying the costs of the sale. The bill declares an emergency so it takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature.

Prohibit the adoption or implementation of certain policies related to immigration enforcement.

South Dakota will prohibit state agencies and local governments from blocking their employees from reporting someone's immigration status to federal immigration officials or from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. The law also prevents local jurisdictions from granting unlawful immigrants any form of legal status within South Dakota, and protects law enforcement officers from discipline if they refuse to follow policies that would violate these rules.

Make an appropriation benefitting South Dakota.

This bill is a placeholder that authorizes the South Dakota Legislature to make an appropriation (spend money) for some unspecified purpose that benefits the state, but it doesn't actually specify what the money will be used for or how much will be appropriated. The bill essentially gives lawmakers permission to decide later what projects or programs deserve funding, rather than laying out specific spending details upfront.

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.

Prohibit a school district from offering a reward to or imposing disciplinary action on a student to incentivize the return of required parental consent forms.

School districts cannot punish students or offer them rewards to encourage the return of routine parental consent forms that schools require at the start of each year. This new law prevents schools from using student discipline or incentives as a way to get parents to sign and return standard handbook forms.