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repeal the creation and budgeting for the Digital Dakota Network.
This bill eliminates the Digital Dakota Network by repealing the laws that created and funded it, removing six sections of state code related to the program. The bill keeps South Dakota's basic telecommunications infrastructure authority under the Commissioner of Information and Telecommunications but removes the specific provisions that governed the Digital Dakota Network's operation and budget.
urging this state's congressional delegation to end foreign aid programs pending control of the United States debt situation.
This concurrent resolution is a statement of South Dakota's position urging the state's federal representatives to stop foreign aid programs until the national debt is brought under control. The resolution does not change any state law itself; instead, it asks South Dakota's U.S. senators and representative to prioritize reducing the nation's $38 trillion debt by ending overseas aid and nation-building efforts.
reduce the duration of an individual's reemployment benefits.
This bill cuts unemployment benefits in South Dakota by half, reducing the maximum number of weeks an unemployed worker can receive regular benefits from 26 weeks to 12 weeks. The change applies to most workers, though those participating in approved job training programs under federal trade adjustment assistance may still receive extended benefits if necessary to complete their training.
provide an appropriation for a payment for state employee salaries.
This bill appropriates $20.7 million to give every state employee who was working on January 1, 2026, a one-time raise of 1.5 percent of their salary, paid out in monthly installments starting July 1, 2026. The money comes from the state's general fund, federal funds, and other state funds, and will be distributed by the Bureau of Finance and Management to all state agencies.
remove the requirement that counties remit to municipalities an amount equal to the road levy for calendar years 1984, 1985, and 1986.
This bill removes an old requirement that counties must pay municipalities an amount equal to the road taxes collected in 1984, 1985, and 1986. The change eliminates a decades-old obligation that is no longer practical or necessary for modern county-municipal financial relationships.
limit the use of taxpayer funds and resources by a public education employer to support a labor organization or affiliate and to provide a penalty therefor.
This bill prohibits public school employers from using taxpayer money or resources to support labor unions or union-related activities, including political campaigns, lobbying, union organizing, or union administration. The bill defines what counts as prohibited union support and creates penalties for violations, though the specific penalties are not included in the excerpt provided.
revise the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026.
This bill adjusts spending amounts in South Dakota's budget for fiscal year 2026 by increasing or redirecting funds to various state agencies and programs. The changes include boosting funding for economic development, state employee compensation, building maintenance and repairs, and information technology services, with increases coming from general funds, federal funds, and other revenue sources.
encouraging honest economic development rooted in the republican principles of limited government, deregulation, and organic entrepreneurial growth.
This concurrent resolution is a non-binding statement expressing the South Dakota Legislature's support for free-market economic development based on limited government, deregulation, and entrepreneurial growth rather than government incentives. It does not change any existing state laws, but instead encourages state policymakers to develop future policies that reduce regulations and avoid using tax credits or subsidies to attract businesses. The resolution reflects a philosophical position that businesses should choose South Dakota based on its business environment rather than government financial incentives.
transfer moneys to the general fund from the budget reserve fund and the general revenue replacement fund, and to declare an emergency.
South Dakota will move a combined $101.5 million from two reserve funds—$80.9 million from the budget reserve fund and $20.6 million from the general revenue replacement fund—into the general fund to help pay for state government operations. The bill declares this transfer an emergency so it takes effect immediately rather than waiting for the normal effective date. This reduces the state's financial reserves to provide money for current spending needs.
encouraging honest economic development rooted in the republican principles of limited government, deregulation, and organic entrepreneurial growth.
This is a nonbinding resolution expressing the South Dakota Legislature's support for free-market economic development based on limited government, deregulation, and reducing business subsidies and tax incentives. It does not change any existing state law but encourages future legislative and executive policies to prioritize reducing regulations and eliminating government business incentives rather than offering tax credits or subsidies to attract companies.
authorize the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources to dismantle and demolish buildings on the South Dakota State Fairgrounds, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.
The Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources can now tear down and remove the barns at Livestock Avenue and Market Street and the Quonset huts on Lincoln Avenue South at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron. The state is providing $337,000 to pay for demolition, debris removal, and ground repairs at these locations.
increase fees for decals and license plates mailed to vehicle owners.
This bill increases the cost for vehicle owners and dealers who receive license plates and decals by mail, adding a $12 fee per license plate or set of plates and keeping a $2.50 fee per decal or set of decals. These new mailing fees apply to regular vehicle registrations, dealer plates, and other license plate categories sent through the mail, with an option to pay actual postage costs for express mail delivery. The fees collected will be deposited into county or state general funds depending on who collects them.
authorize the Department of Corrections to demolish the Pierre Minimum Center, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.
The Department of Corrections is authorized to tear down the Pierre Minimum Center facility and clean up the site, including removing hazardous materials and returning the land to grade level. The state is appropriating $682,825 from the general fund to pay for this demolition and site restoration work.
increase reinstatement fees and abstract driver record fees.
South Dakota is raising the fees that people must pay to reinstate a suspended driver's license and the fees charged for obtaining copies of driving records. The bill increases both the reinstatement fee (which suspended drivers pay to get their license back) and the abstract fee (which people pay to request a copy of their driving history).
revise a provision related to the transportation of an inmate upon discharge from a correctional facility.
When inmates are released from South Dakota correctional facilities, the state must now provide transportation to one of three specific locations: the county where they lived when the crime occurred, the county where they were sentenced, or a location of equivalent distance—whichever involves the shortest mileage. This revises the previous rule by limiting transportation options and establishing a clear distance-based standard to determine which location the state will pay to transport the inmate to.
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.
applying to the United States Congress for a convention of the states to propose amendments to the United States Constitution regarding the imposition of fiscal restraints on the federal government, further limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limiting the terms of office for members of Congress and other federal officials.
South Dakota is formally asking Congress to call a constitutional convention where states can propose amendments to limit federal spending, reduce federal power over states, and impose term limits on members of Congress and other federal officials. This resolution doesn't change South Dakota state law itself, but rather submits the state's official request to join other states in seeking this national convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution.
lower a maximum limit on the tax increment base value.
This bill lowers the maximum limit on how much taxable property value can be included in tax increment financing districts from 10 percent to 2.5 percent of a political subdivision's total assessed property value. Tax increment financing districts are used by cities, towns, and counties to fund development projects, and this change makes it harder for them to create or expand these districts by significantly reducing the allowed property value threshold.
make an appropriation for the economic development prosperity of South Dakota.
HB1134 appropriates $101 from South Dakota's general fund for economic development purposes. Any money that isn't spent or committed by the end of the fiscal year will be returned to the state treasury following standard procedures.
make an appropriation for the development of South Dakota.
This bill appropriates $101 from South Dakota's general fund for purposes of developing the state, though the bill does not specify which programs or projects will receive the money. The state auditor will process payments for approved expenditures, and any unused funds will be returned to the general fund following standard procedures.
terminate certain school district excess tax levies.
South Dakota school districts can no longer collect excess property tax levies that were approved before July 1, 2002—these old levies are permanently eliminated starting in 2026. This ends tax collection authority that some districts have held for over two decades, affecting any remaining schools still using these older approval mechanisms to fund operations.
establish a post-employment restriction for employees of the Governor's Office of Economic Development and create a penalty therefor.
Employees of the Governor's Office of Economic Development are now banned from working for or doing business with any company that received state economic development grants, loans, or other financial assistance from the office for five years after they leave their job. Violations of this restriction are classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor, making it a criminal offense.
eliminate the Agricultural Land Assessment Implementation and Oversight Advisory Task Force, and to provide that the Department of Revenue receive the submission of recommendations and provide a report on agricultural value.
South Dakota is eliminating the Agricultural Land Assessment Implementation and Oversight Advisory Task Force and shifting its duties to the Department of Revenue, which will now directly receive recommendations and report on agricultural land values instead of relying on a separate advisory committee. The Department of Revenue will continue to set rules for how agricultural land is valued, including procedures for determining income values based on eight-year crop data averages.
establish a new fund to provide property tax relief.
South Dakota would create a new Property Tax Relief Fund administered by the Department of Revenue to help reduce property taxes for homeowners and businesses. Starting in 2026, the state would deposit 25% of any year-over-year increase in general fund revenue into this new fund, with the Legislature deciding how to distribute those funds to local governments to lower their property tax levies.
create the homeowner property tax reduction fund, and to transfer moneys to the homeowner property tax reduction fund.
This bill creates a new state fund dedicated to reducing property taxes on owner-occupied homes by lowering the education levy portion of property tax bills. Starting August 1, 2027, a small percentage of revenue from several state taxes will be deposited into this fund instead of going to the general fund, and the money will be used specifically for homeowner property tax relief. The Department of Revenue will manage the fund, which cannot be transferred to the general fund and must be appropriated through the state budget.
modify the surcharge for a responding party in a forcible entry and detainer action.
This bill eliminates the $25 court surcharge that defendants must pay when filing an answer in eviction (forcible entry and detainer) cases. The change removes eviction cases from the list of civil lawsuits where courts can collect this "equal access to courts" fee from responding parties.
increase the maximum amount allowable for the livestock ownership inspection fee and to declare an emergency.
This bill increases the maximum livestock ownership inspection fee that South Dakota's livestock brand board can charge from one dollar and sixty-five cents per head of livestock to a higher amount (the specific new amount is not shown in the excerpt provided). The bill also declares an emergency so the fee increase takes effect immediately upon the governor's approval rather than waiting for the standard effective date.
establish a ten-year boat registration for owners of certain boats.
South Dakota boat owners whose boats are transported exclusively on a registered trailer can now choose a ten-year registration option instead of renewing annually, as long as they provide proof of trailer registration and submit an affidavit confirming the boat is only transported by trailer. Under current law, all boat registrations expire annually; this bill creates a new ten-year registration period that can be renewed for successive ten-year periods if the owner remains eligible. Boat owners choosing this option will only pay registration fees when applying for or renewing the ten-year registration, rather than annually.
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.
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.
limit the types of residential improvements for which counties, municipalities, and townships may require a permit.
Counties, cities, and townships can no longer require homeowners to get building permits before repairing or replacing certain exterior parts of single-family homes, including doors, windows, siding, gutters, fencing, and similar items—as long as replacements keep the same dimensions and aren't structural changes. Historical properties are exempted from this rule and can still require permits for these same repairs. Homeowners still need to follow all other applicable building codes and rules.
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.
revise the limitations on a municipality's power to take actions for the promotion of health or the suppression of disease.
This bill limits the power of South Dakota cities and towns to take health or disease-prevention measures by adding restrictions that prohibit such measures from interfering with religious exercise, free speech, assembly rights, activities in private homes or businesses, or gun rights. The change narrows what municipalities can do during public health emergencies by explicitly protecting these constitutional freedoms, meaning cities cannot use health ordinances to restrict these activities even to fight disease outbreaks.
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.
require that the Department of Social Services submit a federal waiver request to exclude soft drinks from the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
South Dakota's Department of Social Services must request federal permission to ban soft drinks (beverages with added sweeteners, excluding milk and approved juices) from the state's SNAP food assistance program by September 1, 2026. If approved, the department will implement the restriction within six months; if denied, it must resubmit the request every year until it succeeds. This creates a new state requirement to pursue what is currently not allowed under federal SNAP rules.
revise the application requirements for special license plates and parking permits for individuals with disabilities.
South Dakota is expanding who can certify that someone has a disability qualifying them for special license plates and accessible parking permits—now allowing physician assistants, chiropractors, physical therapists, and certified nurse practitioners to sign off on applications, not just physicians. The bill also clarifies that parents or legal guardians can apply for these permits when they use their vehicle to transport a dependent with a substantial physical disability. Additionally, the state health secretary must create a formal definition of what counts as a "substantial physical disability" under this law.
make an appropriation to enhance the economic health of South Dakota.
This bill appropriates $101 from the state's general fund to be used for enhancing South Dakota's economic health, though the bill does not specify how the money will be spent. Any funds not used by the end of the fiscal year will be returned to the general fund according to standard state procedures.
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.
revise procurement for highway construction contracts.
This bill exempts highway construction contracts handled by the Department of Transportation from having to follow South Dakota's standard competitive bidding and procurement rules. It also exempts utility contracts that are bid alongside these highway projects from the same procurement requirements. The change simplifies the procurement process for highway projects by allowing the Department of Transportation to use its own contracting procedures instead of the state's general purchasing requirements.
make an appropriation for the economic development of South Dakota.
SB 120 appropriates $101 from South Dakota's general fund for economic development purposes. The money becomes available for spending on June 30, 2026, and any unused funds will be returned to the general fund following standard state procedures.