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establish a task force for the purpose of studying aquatic invasive species infestations, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota will create a new Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force made up of legislators, government officials, and representatives from environmental groups, water industries, tribes, and recreation businesses to study the ecological and economic damage caused by invasive aquatic species and recommend policy solutions to the Legislature. The bill provides funding for this task force and declares the issue an emergency, allowing for expedited action on the problem.

terminate bounty payments for the control of nest predation.

This bill stops South Dakota from paying bounties to people who kill badgers, opossums, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and similar animals for the purpose of controlling nest predation (protecting bird nests). The ban applies to both the Department of Game, Fish and Parks' general fund and the state animal damage control fund, preventing either from being used for these specific bounty payments.

make an appropriation for eligible water, wastewater, storm water, and riparian buffer initiative projects and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota is allocating $10 million for water infrastructure and environmental projects: $2 million for water, wastewater, and storm water projects that must be approved by the Board of Water and Natural Resources and included in the state water plan, and $8 million for riparian buffer initiatives statewide. The bill declares an emergency so the funding takes effect immediately rather than waiting for the normal legislative process.

recognizing the significance of the monarch butterfly and encouraging cooperative, voluntary conservation efforts in South Dakota.

This resolution recognizes the importance of monarch butterflies to South Dakota's ecosystem and encourages voluntary, cooperative conservation efforts to protect them—particularly by preserving milkweed plants that monarch caterpillars depend on for food. The resolution asks state agencies, local governments, and land managers to support monarch habitat where practical, while respecting private property rights and continuing existing agricultural and roadside management operations. This is a symbolic statement of support rather than a change to existing law.

provide for prescribed burning of state-owned land by a person owning adjoining land and to declare an emergency.

Landowners with property adjacent to state-owned land along the Missouri River can now conduct prescribed burns on the state land if they get written permission from the appropriate state department official, as long as the burn is meant to control woody plants and manage grassland. The landowner must describe the land to be burned and provide a timeline, maintain firefighting equipment, follow all existing burning laws, and accept full liability for any damages—with the state having immunity from lawsuits related to the burn.

make an appropriation for the construction costs at the Blue Dog State Fish Hatchery, and to declare an emergency.

The state is spending $8 million to build, renovate, and modernize the Blue Dog State Fish Hatchery, with $3.5 million coming from federal funds and $4.5 million from state funds. The bill gives the Department of Game, Fish and Parks authority to contract for construction work including new buildings, equipment, utilities, and professional services needed for the project. An emergency declaration allows the spending to take effect immediately rather than waiting for the usual effective date.

make appropriations for water and environmental purposes and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota allocates $1.425 million from the state water and environment fund to three water-related projects: a regional water system study, a statewide groundwater and surface water assessment with a public wetlands map, and a flood control study for the Big Sioux River near Watertown. The board overseeing these grants can now cover up to 100 percent of the non-federal costs for the water management studies, removing previous restrictions on how much state funding could support these projects.

require that annual withdrawal of groundwater from any groundwater source may not exceed the annual recharge of water to the groundwater source.

This bill strengthens South Dakota's groundwater protection by requiring that annual groundwater withdrawals cannot exceed the annual recharge rate for any groundwater source. The change clarifies and reinforces existing law that already prohibited such over-withdrawal, with a narrow exception allowing water distribution systems to exceed recharge limits only when withdrawing from older, deeper geological formations below the Greenhorn formation.

authorize the salvage of certain bird eggs.

South Dakota law now allows people to salvage certain bird eggs if they hold a federal migratory bird special purpose salvage permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with the exception that this permission does not apply to eggs of birds that are protected from taking at all times. Previously, state law prohibited anyone from taking, possessing, or destroying bird nests or eggs without any exceptions for salvage activities.

prohibit natural asset companies.

This bill creates a new state law prohibiting South Dakota from doing business with or investing money in "natural asset companies"—businesses that buy rights to manage natural resources like soil, water quality, and biodiversity for profit. The ban prevents these companies from gaining any interest in or control over public lands or state resources, and blocks the state from investing its money in such companies.

authorize the transfer of certain surplus real property by the Department of Game, Fish and Parks to the Spearfish Canyon Foundation for a public purpose.

The Department of Game, Fish and Parks can now transfer a 3.75-acre parcel with an old hydroelectric plant to the Spearfish Canyon Foundation for use as a historic museum or another public purpose. The land reverts back to the state if the Foundation stops using it for public purposes for two consecutive years. This allows the state to hand over surplus property to a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving this historic site.

modify the distribution of gaming revenues.

This bill modifies how South Dakota divides gaming tax revenues by specifying that 40% goes to tourism promotion and 10% goes to Lawrence County, while requiring $100,000 annually to fund historical preservation grants and loans. The remaining funds after these allocations and administrative expenses are distributed to municipalities on a quarterly basis. This change clarifies and potentially redirects gaming revenue away from other uses toward tourism, Lawrence County, and historical preservation.

require the registration of fishing guides.

South Dakota fishing guides who charge for their services must now register annually with the Department of Game, Fish and Parks, paying $50 if they're state residents or $250 if they're nonresidents. Anyone who provides paid fishing guide services without registering commits a crime, with each client served counting as a separate offense. Registration fees will be used to support fish restocking in the waters where guides are operating.

impose a moratorium on industrial dairy operations.

South Dakota would stop approving new large dairy farms or expansions of existing ones that would have more than 7,499 dairy cows, though farms already permitted before July 1, 2026 can continue operating at their current size. The pause would give state agriculture officials time to study the economic and environmental impacts of large-scale dairy operations and allow counties to update their land use rules, including requiring road maintenance agreements and larger setback distances based on farm size. The moratorium doesn't change existing state law but adds a temporary freeze on new large dairy permits.

exempt active-duty members of the armed forces of the United States and veterans from paying a resident fishing license fee.

Active-duty service members and veterans of the U.S. armed forces will no longer have to pay for a resident fishing license in South Dakota, as long as the veteran was not dishonorably discharged. This is a new exemption being added to state fishing license law and applies to anyone who meets these military service requirements.

extend each waterfowl hunting season for veterans and active duty personnel.

South Dakota will extend each waterfowl hunting season by two extra days exclusively for active duty military members and veterans (those discharged under honorable conditions). Hunters in these groups can use the extended days in addition to the regular season, but all other hunting rules—licenses, daily limits, and possession limits—remain unchanged.