HB 1253 South Dakota House · 2026 Regular Session

adjust the assessment methodology for owner-occupied single-family dwellings and nonagricultural property.

HB 1253 adjusts how property taxes are calculated for owner-occupied single-family homes and nonagricultural land by using a special averaging method. It requires county assessors to set each property's taxable value based on the "Olympic average" (removing the highest and lowest values) of its fair market value over the past eight years, or since a recent change in use or addition. This aims to stabilize tax bills by smoothing out annual value fluctuations. The bill specifically prevents this adjustment from increasing taxes on agricultural properties. It directly affects homeowners and nonagricultural property owners in South Dakota.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Failed
Mar 2026
Governor
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Last action Mar 9, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Taxation Engrossed Senate Taxation Engrossed · 6 edits · Mar 5, 2026
MODERATE
This bill modifies how South Dakota assesses property taxes for owner-occupied single-family homes and nonagricultural property. It establishes a cap on annual assessment increases, limiting them to five percent unless a full fair market value assessment occurs every fifth year. The changes aim to provide more predictability for homeowners by preventing rapid assessment jumps.
Scope change
The bill applies to owner-occupied single-family dwellings and nonagricultural property, excluding agricultural land assessed under specific chapters.
REQUIREMENT

New assessment methodology caps annual increases at five percent for owner-occupied single-family dwellings and nonagricultural property, except every fifth year when full fair market value is assessed.

Added requirement for the Secretary of Revenue to consult with the Agricultural Land Assessment Implementation and Oversight Advisory Task Force before promulgating certain valuation rules.

TIMELINE

The five percent cap applies starting with the 2027 assessment year and continues thereafter.

EXEMPTIONS

The five percent cap does not apply to new construction, reconstruction, improvements, or additions to property for the first assessment after such work is completed.

The five percent cap does not apply to property assessed under chapters 10-28 to 10-38, which typically cover agricultural properties.

DEFINITION

Reordered numbering in the definitions section of § 10-6-101 to correct a numbering error.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 9, 2026 · House Feb 18, 2026

How they voted

924
Failed · 2 other
Total votes 35
Mar 9, 2026
D Democratic3
2 Nay 1
66% Nay
R Republican32
9 Yea 22 Nay 1
68% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
6
Committee
6
Amendments
2
Mar 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 9, NAYS 24 S.J. 498
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Vote failed
Senate Vote: fail (9-24-2)
senate
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Taxation Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 5, NAYS 2 S.J. 19
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Amend the amendment , Passed, S.J. 19
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Introduced
Taxation Motion to amend , Passed, S.J. 19 Amendment 1253C
lower
Feb 20, 2026
Committee
Referred to Senate Taxation S.J. 340
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 38, NAYS 29 H.J. 358
lower
Feb 18, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (38-29-3)
house
Feb 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Taxation Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 5
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Introduced
Taxation Motion to amend , Passed, Amendment 1253A
lower
Feb 3, 2026
Committee
Referred to House Taxation H.J. 208
lower
10 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors