HB 1265 South Dakota House · 2026 Regular Session

authorize the salvage of certain bird eggs.

HB 1265 creates an "Avian Special Purpose Salvage Permit" allowing landowners or farmers to legally salvage, incubate, and release eggs from non-migratory bird nests accidentally destroyed during normal agricultural or lawful activities. The permit, valid annually until December 31, requires a $10 fee and authorizes three specific actions: salvaging eggs, incubating them, and banding/releasing the birds at an appropriate developmental stage. The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission will establish rules for release criteria, documentation, and the permit process. This bill directly affects landowners whose operations unintentionally disturb non-migratory bird nests, providing a legal pathway to salvage eggs instead of facing misdemeanor charges under existing law.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Signed Mar 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Engrossed Enrolled · 3 edits · Mar 4, 2026
MINOR
This bill was finalized and enrolled for signature, converting it from a draft legislative version to an official enrolled bill ready for the Governor's signature. The core policy content authorizing bird egg salvage under specific permit conditions remains unchanged from the previous version.
Scope change
No substantive scope changes; this is a formatting and procedural update from draft to enrolled version.
TECHNICAL

Removed browser compatibility warnings and interface elements that were part of the online legislative system display.

Added official enrolled bill formatting including certification lines, signature blocks, and filing information for the 2026 legislative session.

Updated bill header to reflect 'ENROLLED' status and included the full enrolled bill text with proper legislative formatting.

Floor votes · House Feb 11, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
9
Committee
3
Amendments
1
Mar 12, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor on 2026-03-12 H.J. 571
executive
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by the President S.J. 486
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 516
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
House of Representatives Concurred in amendments , Passed, YEAS 65, NAYS 1 H.J. 484
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 32, NAYS 0 S.J. 412
upper
Feb 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed, S.J. 21
upper
Feb 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
Agriculture and Natural Resources Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 0 S.J. 21
upper
Feb 24, 2026
Introduced
Agriculture and Natural Resources Motion to amend , Passed, S.J. 21 Amendment 1265A
upper
Feb 12, 2026
Introduced
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources S.J. 260
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
House of Representatives Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 54, NAYS 11 H.J. 299
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Agriculture and Natural Resources Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 9, NAYS 1 H.J. 17
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Introduced
First read in House and referred to House Agriculture and Natural Resources H.J. 217
lower
10 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors