The amendment changes this bill from a simple repeal into the enrolled, final version ready for the Governor's signature, with minor technical revisions including streamlined language in the statutes being amended (removing references to "Digital Dakota Network" operations and consolidating the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications' authority). This strengthens the bill's original purpose of completely eliminating the Digital Dakota Network by ensuring all related statutory provisions and administrative structures are fully removed.
26.671.9 26.671.10 101st Legislative Session 1054 2026 South Dakota Legislature House Bill 1054 Introduced by: The Chair of the Committee on Commerce and Energy at the request of the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications Underscores indicate new language. Overstrikes indicate deleted language. ENROLLED AN ACT ENTITLED An Act to repeal the creation and budgeting for the Digital Dakota Network. 1 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA: 2 Section 1. That § 1-26D-5 be AMENDED: 3 1-26D-5. The chief hearing examiner shall adopt promulgate rules, pursuant to 4 chapter 1-26, for the operation of the Office of Hearing Examiners and for the procedures 5 to be used with regard to hearing contested cases and may specifically adopt rules 6 pertaining to the use of the Digital Dakota Network. 7 cases. Section 2. That § 1-33-38 be AMENDED: 8 1-33-38. The head of the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications is the 9 commissioner of information and telecommunications. 10 The Bureau of Information and Telecommunications shall be bureau is 11 administered by the commissioner of information and telecommunications, commissioner, who shall: 12 (1) Provide such assistance, under the rules and regulations as hereinafter provided in 13 this section, as shall be necessary for the efficient performance of the official duties 14 imposed upon the various departments and divisions by this code; 15 (2) Employ such staff and maintain facilities as necessary to operate a local 16 government services program which shall provide or arrange for that arranges or 17 provides services for public corporations pursuant to the provisions of § 1-33-45; 18 (3) Create a telecommunications network that: 19 (a) Provides cost effective services for business, education, government, and 20 rural economic development; and 21 (b) Ensures network uses are consistent with the best interests of the state and 22 telecommunications network users; and 23 26.671.9 2 1054 Underscores indicate new language. Overstrikes indicate deleted language. (4) Administer policies and promulgate rules, pursuant to chapter 1-26, related to the 1 management, programming, and use of the state information network. 26.671.10 2 1054 HB1054 ENROLLED Section 3. That § 1-33-26 be REPEALED. 3 There is hereby created within the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications 4 an Office of Digital Dakota Network for the purposes of advising the commissioner of 5 information and telecommunications in identifying statewide video telecommunications 6 network options, creating a telecommunications network, providing cost-effective services 7 for education, government, business, and rural economic development, ensuring network 8 uses are consistent with the best interests of the state and network users. The Bureau of 9 Information and Telecommunications shall establish policies and rules to implement the 10 Digital Dakota Network. 11 Section 4. That § 1-33-30 be REPEALED. 12 The commissioner of information and telecommunications shall be responsible for 13 administration of policies and administrative rules, and shall be responsible for network 14 use and programming. 15 The functions provided in chapter 1-33 and the rule-making authority of § 1-33-16 38, as it regards the determination of issues related to use, programming, policies, and 17 management of the network are hereby transferred to the Bureau of Information and 18 Telecommunications. 19 Section 5. That § 1-33-32 be REPEALED. 20 The Bureau of Information and Telecommunications shall prepare and submit 21 budgets and proposals for management of the Digital Dakota Network to the commissioner 22 of information and telecommunications. 23 Section 6. That § 1-33-35 be REPEALED. 24 Operation of the Digital Dakota Network including design of a video network 25 structure compatible with the existing telecommunications infrastructure, the 26 administration of a billing service system for users of the network and issues related to 27 operation of the network shall continue to be the responsibility of the Bureau of 28 Information and Telecommunications pursuant to chapter 1-33. 29 26.671.9 3 1054 Underscores indicate new language. Overstrikes indicate deleted language. Section 7. That § 1-33-36 be REPEALED. 1 The Bureau of Information and Telecommunications may adopt, pursuant to 2 chapter 1-26, administrative rules regarding Digital Dakota Network operations, practices, 3 procedures, billings, fees, sites, program sources, program content, program distribution, 4 terminal sites, and any other need identified for successful operation of the Digital Dakota 5 Network. 6 Section 8. That § 1-33-59 be REPEALED. 7 The functions, authorities, 26.671.10 3 1054 HB1054 ENROLLED An Act to repeal the creation and positions budgeting for the Digital Dakota Network. I certify that the attached Act originated in the: House as Bill No. 1054 Chief Clerk of the House Speaker of the House Attest: Chief Clerk of the House President of the Senate Attest: Secretary of the Senate House Bill No. 1054 File No. ____ Chapter No. ______ Received at this Executive Office this _____ day of _____________, 2026 at ____________M. By for the Governor The attached Act is hereby approved this ________ day of ______________, A.D., 2026 Governor STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, ss. Office of Digital Dakota Network, 8 pursuant to chapter 1-33 are hereby transferred to the Bureau Secretary of Information and 9 Telecommunications. 10 State Filed ____________, 2026 at _________ o'clock __M. Secretary of State By Asst. Secretary of State