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protect electric infrastructure in this state.

HB1049 prohibits foreign nationals from certain countries and foreign entities from owning, operating, or controlling electric power facilities in South Dakota, including power plants, transmission lines, and distribution equipment. Anyone who violates this ban must sell their interest within one year, and any contracts granting control to prohibited persons become unenforceable starting July 1, 2026. The bill treats violations as subject to forfeiture under South Dakota's asset forfeiture laws.

limit costs and risks associated with electricity use by data centers and impose a moratorium.

This bill creates new rules requiring electric utilities to charge data centers the full cost of providing them electricity, including any infrastructure upgrades needed to serve them, rather than spreading those costs to other customers. The bill also prevents data centers from leaving other customers responsible for paying stranded costs if the data center shuts down early or for decommissioning expenses. These rules apply to all data centers, with special definitions for "large data centers" using 20 megawatts or more of electricity.

update provisions related to the permit application process for proposed energy and transmission facilities.

SB 25 updates the rules for companies applying to build energy facilities and transmission lines in South Dakota by requiring them to notify nearby property owners earlier in the process and to post public notices within 30 days of filing their applications. The bill also clarifies that when the Public Utilities Commission reviews these applications, it must establish a local review committee that includes tribal council chairs, school board presidents, county commissioners, mayors, and a utility representative to give communities a voice in the permitting process.