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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.

require that the Department of Health accept the medical records of a veteran applying for a medical cannabis registry identification card.

Veterans applying for a medical cannabis registry card can now use their existing medical records instead of requiring a new written certification from a doctor within 90 days of applying. The Department of Health must accept these veteran medical records as valid documentation, streamlining the application process for this group.

exempt nonresident active-duty military personnel and their dependents from payment of motor vehicle license fees.

Active-duty military personnel stationed in South Dakota and their dependents who are not South Dakota residents can now apply to be exempt from paying motor vehicle license fees for one personal vehicle (car, pickup truck, or van). They must provide military orders or proof of active-duty status to qualify for the exemption, which can be renewed yearly but does not cover specialty license plate fees or the state excise tax on vehicle purchases. This creates a new exemption category in South Dakota law to reduce the licensing burden on military members temporarily stationed in the state.

revise the season in which a nonprofit organization may host a special pheasant hunt for disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients.

SB131 allows nonprofit organizations to host free pheasant hunts for disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients during South Dakota's private shooting preserve season. The bill defines "disabled veteran" as someone with at least a 20% service-connected disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs or who receives a specific level of VA compensation. The Game, Fish and Parks Commission will write the specific rules for how these special hunts operate.

extend the motor vehicle and motorcycle licensing fee available to a veteran with a disability to the spouse of a veteran with a disability.

This bill extends a motor vehicle and motorcycle licensing fee benefit to spouses of disabled veterans, allowing them to obtain standard license plates at the reduced disabled veteran rate instead of regular plates. Previously, only disabled veterans themselves qualified for this fee discount. The spouse must still meet the same eligibility requirements as the veteran to receive this benefit.

modify the provisions for a refund of taxes to disabled veterans and surviving spouses under certain property tax relief programs.

South Dakota is expanding property tax relief for disabled veterans and their surviving spouses by allowing them to request refunds of taxes paid in previous years if they missed application deadlines—with special consideration given to veterans whose disability claims are still pending with the federal government. The bill lets county commissioners refund the difference in taxes dating back up to four years for veterans who otherwise qualified but missed the filing deadline. This change makes the tax relief program more accessible by giving disabled veterans a second chance to claim benefits they're entitled to.

increase the amount of value exempt from property taxes under a tax relief program for disabled veterans and surviving spouses.

South Dakota's property tax exemption for disabled veterans increases from $200,000 to $300,000 of home value, meaning disabled veterans who are rated as permanently and totally disabled from service-connected injuries can now shield an additional $100,000 from property taxes. The bill also makes similar adjustments to the exemption available for surviving spouses of such veterans. This change reduces property tax bills for these veterans and their families.

allow a business owner who is a veteran to display military specialty plates on a noncommercial vehicle registered to the veteran's business and to limit personal liability to the business owner and veteran.

This bill allows veteran business owners to display military specialty license plates on noncommercial vehicles (cars, pickup trucks, or vans) registered to their business, as long as the veteran is listed as a co-owner on the vehicle's title. The veteran or business owner must pay an additional $10 fee for the military plates (unless they qualify for a fee exemption) but won't be held personally liable for any issues related to having these specialty plates on the vehicle.

exempt certain nonresident military personnel from payment of motor vehicle excise tax.

# HB 1128 Summary This bill exempts nonresident military personnel from paying South Dakota's motor vehicle excise tax when they register vehicles in the state. The change adds a new category of exempt vehicles to state law, allowing eligible military members stationed out of state to avoid this tax that normally applies to most vehicle purchases and transfers.

provide a stipend to certain members of the National Guard who donate an organ for the purpose of transplantation to another individual.

South Dakota's National Guard will now pay stipends to members who donate an organ for transplant, with the amount depending on recovery time: 50% of their monthly basic pay for recoveries of two weeks or less, or 150% for longer recoveries. Members must notify the Department of Military at least one month before the procedure, have the surgery at a certified transplant hospital, and cannot be receiving paid donor leave from another employer to qualify for the stipend.

provide for a refund of property taxes in previous years for qualifying veterans and surviving spouses.

Veterans with severe disabilities and their surviving spouses can now petition their county commissioners for refunds of property taxes paid in the previous four years if they missed the deadline to apply for the homeowner exemption they qualify for. The county commissioners can decide whether to approve or reject these refund requests. This change gives qualifying veterans and their spouses a second chance to claim tax relief they were legally entitled to but failed to apply for on time.

revise the process for requesting a veteran's certificate of discharge from a county register of deeds.

South Dakota now requires anyone requesting a certified copy of a veteran's discharge papers from a county register to fill out a form from the Department of Veterans Affairs that proves they're eligible to get it. The law specifies who can request these copies—including the veteran themselves, their family members, veterans service officers, and accredited veterans organizations—but adds a new verification step to ensure only authorized people access these documents.

modify provisions related to the South Dakota Veterans Council.

SB132 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to consult with the South Dakota Veterans Council at least every two years about veterans' issues and allows the council to recommend changes to budgets, legislation, policies, and programs. The bill specifies that the council must include representatives from seven veterans organizations, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and others serving veterans in South Dakota.

authorize the construction of a National Guard vehicle maintenance shop in Sturgis, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota is authorizing the Department of the Military to build a National Guard vehicle maintenance shop in Sturgis and providing $30 million in federal funding for the project. The state auditor will process payments for the construction work, which must be completed by June 30, 2031, or any unspent money will be returned according to state rules.

exempt a volunteer firefighter from certain motor vehicle registration fees.

Active volunteer firefighters in South Dakota can now apply for an exemption from license registration fees for one personal vehicle (car, pickup truck, or van) by providing their fire department chief's certification. The exemption must be renewed annually and does not include sales tax, excise tax, or specialty license plate fees. This creates a new benefit to recognize volunteer firefighters' service to their communities.

require that the Department of Revenue provide for an online application for property tax relief programs.

The Department of Revenue must now offer online applications for two property tax relief programs: one for people with paraplegia or loss of use of both lower extremities, and another for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Previously, applicants could only submit paper forms prescribed by the secretary of revenue, but they can now apply through a website maintained by the department. County treasurers will still help applicants complete forms upon request and handle any paper applications received.