HB 1082 South Dakota House · 2026 Regular Session

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

HB 1082 requires South Dakota school districts to provide free or reduced-price meals to eligible students without charging them, as defined by federal programs (National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program) starting January 1, 2026. The bill mandates that the South Dakota Department of Education reimburse school districts for costs incurred on these meals, after subtracting any federal reimbursement received. This directly affects school districts serving students qualifying for federal meal programs and ensures state funding covers the gap between federal support and actual meal costs. The law amends Section 13-35-2 of South Dakota law to clarify these reimbursement parameters.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 16, 2026 Signed Mar 30, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Appropriations Engrossed → Enrolled · 4 edits · Mar 10, 2026

MODERATE

This bill establishes a reimbursement mechanism for South Dakota school districts that provide free or reduced-price meals to students. It clarifies that districts cannot charge students eligible for reduced-price meals and creates a funding formula to reimburse districts for the cost difference between free and reduced-price meal subsidies.

Scope change

The bill applies to all school districts in South Dakota that participate in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a prohibition on charging students who are eligible for reduced-price meals through federal programs, ensuring they receive meals at no cost.

FISCAL

Created a new reimbursement formula requiring the Department of Education to calculate and fund the cost difference between free and reduced-price meal subsidies for eligible students.

REQUIREMENT

Established a deadline for the Department of Education to calculate reimbursements by June 30th of each year based on school district data.

TECHNICAL

Changed document status from 'House Appropriations Engrossed' to 'Enrolled' indicating final passage and preparation for signature.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 9, 2026 · House Feb 24, 2026

How they voted

20–14

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 35

Mar 9, 2026

D Democratic3

3 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican32

17 Yea 14 Nay 1

53% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 30, 2026

Signed into law

Signed by the Governor on 2026-03-30 H.J. 580

executive

Mar 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by the President S.J. 526

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by the Speaker H.J. 553

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 20, NAYS 14 S.J. 490

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6 , Passed, YEAS 20, NAYS 14 S.J. 489

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Committee on Appropriations Report out of committee without recommendation , Passed,

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Recalled from committee (Rule 7-7) , Passed, S.J. 480

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Committee on Appropriations Tabled , Passed, YEAS 5, NAYS 4 S.J. 9

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Committee

Referred to , Passed, Senate Committee on Appropriations S.J. 443

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Education Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 5, NAYS 2

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Introduced

First read in Senate and referred to Senate Education S.J. 398

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 46, NAYS 20 H.J. 427

lower

Feb 24, 2026

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (46-20-4)

house

Feb 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Committee on Appropriations Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 2

lower

Feb 23, 2026

Introduced

Committee on Appropriations Motion to amend , Passed, Amendment 1082B

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Committee

Referred to , Passed, House Committee on Appropriations YEAS 13, NAYS 1 H.J. 4

lower

Jan 16, 2026

Introduced

First read in House and referred to House Education H.J. 42

lower

24 primary · 0 co-sponsors