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reduce the sales and use tax rates on food, to increase the rates for certain taxes, use taxes, and excise taxes, and to provide a new fund for school district capital outlay projects.

HB1281 lowers the sales tax rate on food while raising sales and use tax rates on other goods and services, along with certain excise taxes. The bill also creates a new fund dedicated to helping school districts pay for capital outlay projects like building repairs and expansions. These tax changes are designed to shift the tax burden away from groceries and toward other purchases to fund school infrastructure improvements.

modify the amount required to be set aside for extraordinary expenses incurred in providing special education programs.

Starting July 1, 2026, South Dakota will set aside $5 million from state education funds specifically for extraordinary expenses related to special education services for children with disabilities. The bill also allows unused funds to carry over year to year instead of reverting to the state, up to a maximum reserve of $5.5 million annually.

make an appropriation to defray the operational costs of school districts.

South Dakota will provide $5 million to school districts to help cover their operating expenses, with each district receiving a share based on its student enrollment. The Department of Education will distribute the money directly to districts, and any funds not spent by June 30, 2027, will be returned to the state.

amend the state aid formula for general education and for special education.

Senate Bill 200 updates how South Dakota calculates state funding for schools by modifying the formulas used to determine general and special education aid. The bill changes how student enrollment is counted—specifically including nonresident students in state custody and adjusting which tuition costs are subtracted from enrollment numbers—which affects how much money each school district receives from the state. These changes apply to multiple sections of education funding law that determine baseline aid, adjustments, and special education support across school districts.

apportion interest earnings from the unclaimed property trust fund to school districts.

South Dakota will now direct a portion of interest earnings from the unclaimed property trust fund to school districts, distributing these funds proportionally based on each district's share of the state's student population. Previously, this interest income was not included in the school funding formula that the commissioner of school and public lands uses to apportion money to districts. The change ensures school districts benefit from earnings on unclaimed property holdings held in state trust.

make an appropriation to the Department of Education for the provision of grants to sparse school districts.

South Dakota will provide $2.5 million in grants to sparse school districts, with each district receiving a share based on its student enrollment. Districts must use the money for facility improvements, educational technology, or instructional materials and equipment. Any unspent funds must be returned to the state by June 30, 2027.

establish parameters for the reimbursement of school districts that provide free or reduced-price meals to students.

This bill prohibits South Dakota school districts from charging students who qualify for reduced-price meals under federal lunch and breakfast programs—they can only charge full-price and free-meal students. The state department of education will now calculate and reimburse school districts annually for the cost of providing these reduced-price meals to eligible students, offsetting the revenue districts lose by not charging these students.

amend the process by which certain school districts calculate the general fund base percentage.

HB1131 modifies how South Dakota school districts calculate their general fund base percentage by updating the definition of "fall enrollment" used in education funding formulas. The bill clarifies that nonresident students in state agency care (such as those under the Department of Social Services or Department of Corrections) can be counted in a district's fall enrollment, and it adjusts which students are excluded when subtracting tuition-receiving students from the enrollment count. These changes affect how much state education funding certain school districts receive.

create the South Dakota school construction fund, provide for the transfer of moneys to the fund, and make an appropriation therefor.

South Dakota creates a new school construction loan fund administered by the Department of Education to help school districts build or expand school buildings. The state will make interest-free loans covering up to 40 percent of a project's cost, with loan repayments and any interest earned cycling back into the fund to support future school construction projects.

amend the manner of calculating state aid to general and special education funding.

South Dakota is changing how it counts students to determine how much state funding schools receive—specifically, the bill clarifies that students in state agency care (like those under Department of Social Services custody) can be counted in a school district's enrollment, and it adjusts the fall enrollment calculation by excluding students the district pays tuition for while including those who pay tuition to the district. These changes affect how the state calculates general and special education aid under the funding formula.

make an appropriation for a statewide educator retention initiative.

South Dakota is setting aside $2.5 million to help school districts and private schools keep teachers, by offering grants that schools can use to address problems causing educators to leave. The Department of Education will run this program from 2026 through 2029, working with schools to identify and fix retention issues using data-based solutions. This creates a new funding source and initiative—it doesn't change any existing laws, but rather establishes a new grant program focused on teacher retention.

amend the process for calculating a school district's general fund base percentage.

HB 1291 modifies how South Dakota calculates the "general fund base percentage" used to determine school funding by changing the definition of "fall enrollment" — the student count that triggers state aid calculations. Specifically, the bill clarifies that nonresident students in state agency care (such as those under Department of Social Services custody) are included in fall enrollment counts, and adjusts which students are subtracted or added when computing a district's funding base.

amend the manner in which a school district determines the district's enrollment for the purpose of calculating state aid to general education.

SB158 changes how South Dakota calculates school district enrollment for state education funding by clarifying which students count toward a district's fall enrollment numbers. The bill specifies that students in state agency care (like those under the Department of Social Services or Corrections) are included in enrollment, while students the district pays tuition for are added and students it receives tuition for are subtracted from the count. It also strengthens the Department of Education's authority to examine enrollment records at any time.

provide that a portion of revenues from wind farms remain with school districts.

Wind farm revenues will now be shared with local school districts instead of going entirely to the state, ensuring that communities hosting wind energy projects benefit directly from that economic activity. The bill modifies how the state distributes wind farm tax revenue by allowing school districts to retain a portion for their own use.

amend certain provisions pertaining to special education funding.

HB 1098 adjusts how South Dakota funds special education by establishing a new disability category called "Level six disability" for students requiring prolonged assistance, and it sets the special education levy at $1.262 per $1,000 of property valuation starting in 2026. The bill also creates a mechanism to reduce school district levies if local funding grows faster statewide than the actual increase in special education needs, keeping funding growth in line with demand.

revise property tax levies for school districts and to revise the state aid to general and special education formulas.

Starting in 2027, this bill lowers the maximum property tax rate that school districts can charge on residential homes while adjusting rates for agricultural land and other properties. The new limits set the general school fund levy at $4.87 per $1,000 of property value (down from the previous rate), with homeowners paying just $0.67 per $1,000 on owner-occupied homes and farmers paying $1.05 per $1,000 on agricultural land. The bill also changes how state education funding formulas work to account for these new property tax limits.

clarify the use of public funds for the purpose of alternative instruction.

This bill prevents parents or guardians who have registered their child for alternative instruction (such as homeschooling) from receiving state education funding for that child. Once a family files an alternative instruction notification with the school district or Department of Education, they become ineligible for any state public education dollars.

require that the Department of Education provide for the compensation of a teacher employed by a school district.

This bill shifts teacher pay from individual school districts to the state Department of Education, which will now use state general appropriation money to pay teachers' salaries and benefits based on a standardized schedule set by the Board of Education Standards. School districts can no longer set teacher compensation independently but are limited to hiring only a certain number of teachers based on a state-established target ratio. The bill repeals several existing provisions related to local teacher compensation decisions and replaces them with a statewide salary system that accounts for teacher certification demand, education level, and experience.

repeal the special donations fund and make an appropriation to the Department of Education for the provision of a grant to support the Jobs for America's Graduates-South Dakota program.

South Dakota is eliminating the special donations fund and redirecting that money to support the Jobs for America's Graduates program through a $500,000 grant to nonprofit organizations helping schools implement the program. The grant money can be used to match private donations or federal grants, or to support collaborative education and career readiness efforts, but cannot go into endowment funds. Any money currently in the special donations fund will be transferred to the state's general fund.

amend provisions pertaining to calculating local effort and state aid for general education.

HB 1290 modifies how South Dakota calculates school districts' funding by changing the rules for counting students (fall enrollment) that determines state education aid, including clarifying how to count students in state agency care and adjusting the teacher ratio factors used in funding formulas. The bill specifically revises the definitions and procedures in state law that schools and the Department of Education use to determine which students count toward a district's enrollment number for state aid distribution purposes.

amend the school funding formula to provide for the use of an average fall enrollment when determining local need.

School districts will now use an average of fall enrollment figures (instead of a single snapshot) when the state calculates how much education funding each district receives. This change affects how the state determines each district's "local need" for funding under South Dakota's school finance formula, potentially smoothing out enrollment fluctuations throughout the school year.

reduce certain property taxes for owner-occupied property, and to increase the rates for certain gross receipts taxes and use taxes.

This bill eliminates property taxes on owner-occupied, single-family homes by setting their school mill levy to zero, starting in 2027. To replace the lost property tax revenue for schools and fund state employee and Medicaid provider pay increases, the bill raises sales tax and gross receipts tax rates across the state. The changes are designed to shift the tax burden from homeowners to consumers making purchases.

create the property tax local effort replacement fund, to reduce certain property taxes, and to increase the rates for certain gross receipts taxes and use taxes.

SB 99 creates a new fund to help replace property tax revenue by increasing sales taxes on certain goods and services, while reducing school property taxes—particularly eliminating taxes on owner-occupied homes starting in 2027. The bill modifies South Dakota's gross receipts tax and use tax rates across multiple categories to generate revenue for this replacement fund. Essentially, it shifts some school funding from property taxes to sales taxes, with homeowners seeing the biggest property tax relief.

provide for the creation of a cardiac emergency plan in every school and to make an appropriation therefor.

South Dakota schools must now create and implement cardiac emergency response plans that include forming a response team, placing accessible defibrillators on campus, training staff in CPR and defibrillator use, and establishing procedures for sudden cardiac arrest situations. School districts and nonpublic schools must review these plans annually, maintain their defibrillators, and conduct regular drills to practice responding to cardiac emergencies.

amend provisions pertaining to the School Finance Accountability Board, and the process by which a recommendation of the board is approved.

This bill restructures the School Finance Accountability Board by clarifying its powers to reduce school funding, impose penalties on districts that don't follow budget rules, and waive those penalties if districts face special circumstances. The changes specify that the board can now require accreditation reviews and condition any funding waivers on the district meeting certain ongoing requirements. Overall, the bill gives the board more detailed authority to enforce school finance accountability while providing a clearer process for districts to request relief.

make an appropriation for a non-residential, school-based, therapeutic services facility in Brown County and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota is appropriating $2 million to the Department of Education to fund a nonprofit organization that will build and operate a facility providing therapy and educational services to students in alternative school settings in Brown County. The nonprofit must have experience offering integrated education and mental health services through partnerships with schools, and cannot use the funds for residential care or inpatient treatment. The bill declares an emergency so the funding can take effect immediately.

require an election for an excess tax levy of a school district.

Currently, school districts can impose excess property tax levies with just a two-thirds vote of their school board, but this bill requires school districts to hold a public election before imposing or increasing an excess tax levy. The bill maintains existing rules about when districts must announce the tax increase in newspapers, but adds the requirement that voters must approve the excess levy through an election before it takes effect.

create the building opportunity through out-of-school time program and the building opportunity through out-of-school time program fund, authorize a new fee, make an appropriation therefor, and transfer moneys to the building opportunity through out-of-school time program fund.

South Dakota is creating a new "Building Opportunity Through Out-of-School Time Program" that provides grants to schools and nonprofits running after-school, before-school, or summer programs focused on academics, career readiness, and preventing risky behaviors like substance abuse and truancy. The bill establishes a dedicated fund to pay for the program through a new fee and state appropriations. This creates a new state initiative to support youth programming outside regular school hours.

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.

HB 1326 approves state spending for fiscal year 2027, allocating funds to operate the legislature, courts, executive departments, state institutions, schools, and pay interest on state debt. The bill makes various adjustments to existing appropriations, including reducing federal broadband grant funding by $20 million and adding funding for small business accounting services. It also modifies several statutes related to budget administration and state agency operations.

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.

This bill sets state spending levels for fiscal year 2027 (July 2026 through June 2027) across all major state departments, institutions, and schools, including the legislature, courts, governor's office, and public education. The appropriation amounts shown—such as $3 million for the Governor's Office and $74 million for Economic Development—represent the total money each agency can spend during that year. No specific changes to existing law are detailed in this excerpt; it's primarily a funding authorization bill that maintains current operations.

reduce to zero mill levies for property taxation.

South Dakota property owners would stop paying most local property tax mill levies, which currently fund county buildings, schools, libraries, and other services—instead, the state would appropriate money to local governments to cover these expenses. The bill eliminates or reduces to zero the mill levies that counties, schools, and other political subdivisions currently use to fund their operations. This represents a major shift from local property taxation to state-level funding for local services.

enhance public education in South Dakota.

This bill is too vague to summarize meaningfully for citizens. The bill text simply states that "the Legislature shall enhance public education" without specifying any actual changes to law, funding, policies, or programs. Without details on what specific improvements are intended or how they would work, readers cannot understand what this bill would actually do if passed.

require an election to approve the issuance of certain capital outlay certificates, lease-purchase contracts, or installment purchase contracts.

School districts must now hold a voter election before issuing capital outlay certificates, lease-purchase contracts, or installment purchase contracts that will obligate the district for future payments exceeding 1.5% of the district's taxable property value. Previously, school boards could approve these financial commitments after only a public hearing; this bill adds a requirement that voters must approve them through an election.

modify the requirements for public notice of a hearing prior to a vote to impose an excess tax levy, and to modify requirements to refer an excess tax levy of a school district to a vote.

This bill requires South Dakota school districts to give property owners at least 21 days' notice before voting on an excess tax levy, with notices published in newspapers, on district websites, and mailed directly to property owners by the county. The notice must include the maximum tax increase amount, the standard levy limit, hearing details, the estimated tax impact per $100,000 of property value, and how the money will be used. School districts must reimburse counties for the costs of printing and mailing these notices to property owners.

direct the amendment of the Administrative Rules of South Dakota regarding the awarding of high school credit for participation in extracurricular athletics.

South Dakota will update its high school graduation requirements to allow students to earn academic credit for participating in extracurricular athletics, a change the Board of Education Standards must implement by September 30, 2026. The bill modifies the state's graduation credit rules to recognize athletic participation as a valid way to meet some of the credits needed to graduate. This gives high schools flexibility to award credit for sports and other extracurricular activities alongside traditional classroom coursework.

permit the board of a school district to require that certain students receive instruction in alternative settings.

School district boards can now assign students who engage in aggressive or violent behavior that disrupts school or threatens safety to receive instruction in alternative settings instead of regular classrooms. School districts must report annually to the Department of Education how many students were placed in alternative settings, though the state can only publicly share this data in anonymized and combined form across all districts.

amend the reversion date for moneys appropriated to the Department of Education to improve and renovate the Cultural Heritage Center.

This bill extends the deadline for the Department of Education to spend money previously appropriated for improving and renovating the Cultural Heritage Center, moving the reversion date from an earlier deadline to June 30, 2028. Any funds not spent or committed by that new deadline will be returned to the state. The change allows the department more time to complete the renovation project before the money reverts.

provide requirements related to the cardiac health evaluation of minors.

South Dakota schools must now require students to get a cardiac health screening within one year before participating in school-sponsored athletics, with a licensed health care provider documenting the exam on a state-approved form that includes questions about the student's personal and family cardiac history. The Department of Health will create educational materials about sudden cardiac arrest and screening options, which schools must distribute to all students at the start of each academic year. Students cannot participate in school athletics without providing their signed physical exam form to their school.

amend permissible uses of a school district's capital outlay fund.

School districts can now use their capital outlay funds (money saved for long-term investments) to purchase or lease equipment, which was not explicitly allowed before. The bill also clarifies other existing permitted uses like buying warranties on capital assets and textbooks, and maintains the rule that purchases under $1,000 can come from the general fund instead.

require that the secretary of the Department of Education apply to the United States Department of Education for the authority to develop and implement an innovative assessment system.

South Dakota's Department of Education secretary must apply to the federal government for permission to create a new student assessment system that replaces or supplements current state tests. If approved, the state will develop a testing system that measures reading and math growth while emphasizing science-based reading instruction and foundational math skills, working with school leaders, teachers, and parents to design it.

authorize the provision of charitable contributions to a scholarship granting organization.

South Dakota's new scholarship program allows individuals and businesses to make charitable contributions to scholarship granting organizations that provide grants to low-income K-12 students who attend microschools (small, tuition-based alternative educational providers) instead of public school districts. The bill defines "eligible students" as those under 19 from households earning no more than 300% of the area median income, establishes the rules for microschools and scholarship organizations, and creates a framework for these contributions to support private educational alternatives.

require education in prenatal human growth and development.

South Dakota schools must now teach students about prenatal development using materials recommended by the state Board of Education Standards, including videos or animations showing fetal development from fertilization through birth and depicting organs at various stages. The instruction must include at least three-minute videos showing the brain, heart, and other major organs, and cannot use any materials produced by organizations that perform, promote, or refer patients for abortions.