South Dakota Bills | MyRepTracker

passed both · South Dakota · House Feb 11, 2026

HCR 6012: recognizing the YMCA for 175 years of service to youth, families, and communities in South Dakota and across the United States.

This House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 6012) is a symbolic gesture honoring the YMCA's 175th anniversary of service across the United States and in South Dakota. It recognizes the YMCA's historical contributions, including founding basketball, providing childcare, and serving over 17 million people annually through programs for youth, families, and communities. The resolution specifically acknowledges South Dakota's YMCA chapters, which serve nearly the entire state with 1,274 staff and 1,000 volunteers. The bill does not create new laws or alter policies; it solely expresses legislative appreciation for the YMCA's community impact.

Logan Manhart (R) Eric Emery (D) Carl Perry (R) Larry Zikmund (R) Erin Healy (D)

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 1325: prohibit the Board of Regents and institutions under its control from requiring certain students to reside in on-campus housing or purchase meal plans.

HB 1325 prohibits South Dakota's public universities (controlled by the Board of Regents) from requiring students to live in on-campus housing or buy meal plans after their first year of enrollment. This directly affects undergraduate students at institutions like the University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University. The bill removes mandatory requirements for housing and meal plans beyond a student's initial academic year. It does not change first-year housing or meal plan policies but gives returning students the choice to live off-campus or arrange their own meals. The law takes effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 1266: make certain federal laws applicable to public employees.

HB 1266 defines "public employees" to include state/local government workers, school staff, and public service personnel. It prohibits using official authority for political interference, soliciting political contributions in the workplace, coercing political activity, or engaging in political activity during work hours or in government facilities. The bill also restricts using state resources or vehicles for political purposes while allowing employees to vote, express political views, campaign, and contribute to political causes outside work hours. These rules align with federal standards for public employee conduct and apply to all state and local government roles covered by the law.

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 1031: revise and repeal provisions related to rape offenses and to increase the penalty therefor.

HB 1031 revises South Dakota's rape offense definitions and increases penalties, primarily affecting victims under 13 and perpetrators convicted of sexual crimes against minors. It adds new circumstances to rape definitions (e.g., victim incapacity due to intoxication) and establishes a 15-year minimum sentence for first offenses involving victims under 13. The bill also removes the statute of limitations for rape cases involving victims under 13 or using force/coercion, allowing charges to be filed until the victim turns 25. These changes directly impact criminal sentencing for sexual offenses and extend legal accountability for certain victims.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 141: exempt certain sales at farmers' markets from sales tax.

SB 141 exempts sales of fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, dairy, baked goods, flowers, and artisanal products directly to consumers at qualifying farmers' markets from South Dakota's sales tax. It applies specifically to recurring public markets where multiple independent farmers and producers sell agricultural goods directly to shoppers. The bill removes the tax burden on these transactions, benefiting both small-scale farmers who sell at markets and consumers purchasing locally grown or made products. This policy change directly affects farmers' market operators and shoppers at these venues within South Dakota.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 1167: revise a provision related to loitering within a community safety zone.

HB 1167 amends South Dakota law to clarify exemptions for certain sex offenders regarding loitering in community safety zones. It specifically adds that the prohibition does not apply if the offender was under 18 at the time of the offense and was not tried or convicted as an adult, or if a court has granted an exemption under § 22-24B-28. The bill directly affects registered sex offenders who meet these specific juvenile offense criteria. The amendment does not change the felony penalties (Class 6 for first offense, Class 5 for repeat offenses) or the core prohibition against loitering in safety zones or public libraries. This is a technical revision to the existing statute (§ 22-24B-24) with no new policy changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 1216: revise the list of mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect.

HB 1216 updates South Dakota's list of professionals required to report suspected child abuse or neglect. It adds "religious healing practitioner" and "safety-sensitive position" (as defined in another law) to the existing list, which already includes doctors, teachers, social workers, and clergy. The bill also clarifies that confidentiality protections (like those for medical or therapy records) cannot be used to avoid legal consequences when reporting abuse under these statutes. This directly affects the new categories of professionals and religious practitioners who must now report suspected cases, while removing legal barriers to using such reports in court.

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 1231: clarify documentation requirements for assistance animals in rental dwelling units.

HB 1231 clarifies documentation requirements for renters with disabilities who need assistance animals (including emotional support, service, or therapy animals) in rental housing. Landlords may only request documentation confirming the tenant’s disability and need for the animal, issued by a licensed health provider within the past year (unless the disability is obvious or permanent). The documentation must include the provider’s license details, be based on a personal assessment, and cannot be required if the disability or need is already apparent. This bill directly affects renters with disabilities and landlords, while exempting small owner-occupied buildings (4 units or fewer) and single-family homes sold without agents. Violating these rules by providing false documentation may lead to eviction or a $1,000 fee.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 161: repeal an exemption for certain health care facilities.

SB 161 repeals a tax exemption for certain nonprofit health care facilities in South Dakota, ending their current property tax exemption. This affects facilities previously qualifying under repealed sections 10-4-9.3 and 10-4-35, including licensed hospitals, clinics, mental health centers, and wellness centers meeting specific criteria (like 501(c)(3) status and non-profit operation). The bill removes the exemption, requiring these facilities to pay property taxes on their entire property - previously only the portion not used for health care services was taxable. The change directly impacts nonprofit health care organizations that relied on this exemption for tax purposes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 1192: allow the parole of certain inmates sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

HB 1192 allows parole consideration for inmates sentenced to life imprisonment without parole who were aged 18-26 at the time of their offense (excluding first-degree rape). It requires the parole board to review cases after 25 years of incarceration, with mandatory initial hearings within six months of eligibility. The board must consider factors like the inmate's youth at the time of crime, rehabilitation efforts, completion of educational programs, victim input, and evidence of maturity. The law applies retroactively to all qualifying inmates sentenced before July 1, 2026. It modifies existing parole eligibility rules by creating a specific pathway for this age group.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 155: increase legislative oversight procedures and protections against conflicts of interest, and to provide a penalty therefor.

SB 155 strengthens legislative oversight by expanding subpoena and document-request powers to both the Government Operations and Audit Committee and the Judiciary Committees in the House and Senate. It prohibits retaliation against state employees, consultants, or contractors who cooperate with investigations, allowing civil lawsuits for damages, back pay, or whistleblower rewards up to $50,000. The bill also extends a two-year ban on former state officials (including department heads) working as lobbyists or accepting contracts they previously approved, with violations now classified as felonies. These changes aim to improve transparency and accountability in state government operations.

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 181: cause the repeal of the medical cannabis chapter upon the federal re-scheduling of cannabis.

SB 181 would end South Dakota's medical cannabis program if the federal government reclassifies cannabis as a Schedule III drug under federal law. It specifically repeals the state's medical cannabis chapter (Chapter 34-20G) upon confirmation by the attorney general that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has made this federal change. The law requires the Department of Health to notify all current medical cannabis cardholders and licensed businesses about the repeal and its effective date. This change only affects South Dakota's medical cannabis program and would not impact recreational cannabis laws or other state regulations.

Topics ✗ Healthcare