South Dakota Bills

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 25: update provisions related to the permit application process for proposed energy and transmission facilities.

SB 25 updates South Dakota's permit process for energy and transmission facilities by requiring utilities to post visible signs at proposed sites within 30 days of application filing, including facility details and contact information. It creates local review committees composed of tribal leaders, school boards, county commissioners, mayors, and utility representatives to assess social and economic impacts across 12 areas like housing, schools, water, and transportation. The bill mandates these committees evaluate the affected area's capacity to handle construction effects and develop mitigation plans. The changes streamline public notice, committee formation, and impact assessments while repealing outdated sections about prefiling conferences and application timelines. This directly affects utilities seeking permits, local communities near projects, and the Public Utilities Commission overseeing the process.

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1111: modify the requirements for obtaining an agricultural processor's lien.

HB 1111 modifies South Dakota's rules for agricultural processors (like those who thresh, shell, or process crops) seeking liens on the grain, silage, or other products they handle. It requires processors to provide detailed written accounts of services, file financing statements electronically within 30 days of processing completion, and notify buyers if liens exist before crop sales. The bill clarifies lien priority over other claims and mandates enforcement actions within 30 days of filing, or the lien expires. This directly affects processors seeking payment and farmers selling processed crops.

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1056: require that the Department of Social Services submit a federal waiver request to exclude soft drinks from the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

HB 1056 requires South Dakota's Department of Social Services to submit a federal waiver request by September 1, 2026, to exclude soft drinks from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill defines "soft drink" as nonalcoholic sweetened beverages (excluding milk, milk substitutes, and approved juices) and mandates annual waiver requests if initially denied. If approved, the restriction would take effect within six months, directly affecting SNAP participants who currently purchase soft drinks with benefits. This policy change would alter eligibility under federal SNAP rules for South Dakota recipients.

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 165: revise certain provisions pertaining to municipal government.

SB 165 revises key procedures for South Dakota municipalities, affecting mayors, council members, and appointed officials. It clarifies that temporary mayoral absences or incapacitation do not create vacancies and requires written resignations with specified effective dates. The bill updates residency rules for elective office to mandate three months of residence in the municipality (or annexed areas) and specifies that appointed officers in mayor-council cities are selected by the mayor with council approval, while other cities appoint via majority vote of the governing body. These changes apply directly to all South Dakota cities and towns governed by municipal charters.

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 21: modify tax refunds for elderly persons and persons with a disability.

SB 21 adjusts South Dakota's retail sales tax refund program for low-income residents. It sets specific income thresholds ($17,215 for single-person households, $23,265 for larger households) and calculates refunds as $258 for eligible singles under the limit, up to $581 for larger households. The bill ensures these refunds remain available even if a recipient also receives property tax relief under separate programs. It directly affects elderly residents and people with disabilities who meet the income criteria under existing state law.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1096: allow for the direct creation of a limited liability limited partnership.

HB 1096 allows businesses to form a limited liability limited partnership (LLLP) directly by filing a certificate with the South Dakota Secretary of State, rather than converting from an existing limited partnership. The certificate must include the business name ending in "LLLP," the principal address, and a statement electing LLLP status. Existing limited partnerships can also become LLLPs by obtaining partner approval, filing a statement, and changing their name to include "LLLP." This structure provides limited liability protection to all partners, meaning partners are not personally liable for business debts beyond their investment.

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1189: establish a greater tire weight limit for a mobile crane moving on any highway in this state.

HB 1189 increases the maximum allowable weight per inch of tire width for mobile cranes with booms carried over the vehicle from 600 to 650 pounds on South Dakota highways. This change directly affects mobile crane operators transporting equipment on public roads, allowing slightly heavier loads under specific conditions. The bill amends existing weight regulations (§ 32-22-21) to adjust this limit for cranes meeting the defined criteria (self-propelled carriers with telescoping/lattice booms). It does not alter other weight limits or create new requirements, focusing solely on this technical adjustment for crane mobility.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1104: revise the application requirements for special license plates and parking permits for individuals with disabilities.

HB 1104 revises application requirements for South Dakota's special license plates and parking permits for people with disabilities. It specifies that certification for these benefits must come from licensed physicians, physician assistants, chiropractors, physical therapists, or certified nurse practitioners (all licensed under Title 36), stating the applicant has a "substantial physical disability" that makes walking impossible or causes substantial hardship. The bill clarifies that applications for both license plates and portable parking permits must be submitted through county treasurers, with no fee charged for the plates. It also includes penalties for fraud (Class 1 misdemeanor) or failure to surrender permits when no longer needed (Class 2 misdemeanor).

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1233: modify provisions for a tax collection agreement with an Indian tribe.

HB 1233 modifies South Dakota's tax collection agreements with Indian tribes by expanding the list of state taxes tribes can collect on behalf of the state. The bill adds 13 specific taxes to the existing list, including retail sales tax, cigarette tax, motor vehicle excise tax, and remote seller sales tax. Under the agreement, tribes would collect these taxes and the state would retain a set percentage of the collected revenue as an administrative fee. This directly affects tribal governments (as tax collectors) and South Dakota's Department of Revenue (as the state entity managing collections).

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1130: amend permissible uses of a school district's capital outlay fund.

HB 1130 amends South Dakota school districts' capital outlay fund rules to allow new uses. It specifically permits districts to spend these funds on textbooks (§ 13-16-6(5)(b)), instructional software purchases or renewals (§ 13-16-6(6)), and warranties for capital assets (excluding supplies, § 13-16-6(5)(a)). The bill also clarifies that districts may use up to 15% of transportation contracts or mileage reimbursement costs from this fund. Additionally, it allows transferring up to 45% of annual capital fund revenues to the general fund, while maintaining that small purchases ($1,000 or less) must come from the general fund instead. This directly affects South Dakota public school districts managing their capital budgets.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1197: revise a provision related to the venue of adoption proceedings.

HB 1197 clarifies the court where adoption cases must be filed in South Dakota. It specifies that adoption petitions must be filed in a county where the adopting parent resides, the child's care agency is located, or the child was born/resides - unchanged from current law. The bill streamlines the language of existing rules without adding new options or altering the process. This procedural update directly affects adoption cases and the courts handling them, ensuring clarity in venue selection. (2 sentences, as it is a procedural clarification).

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 55: make an appropriation for the payment of extraordinary litigation expenses and to declare an emergency.

SB 55 appropriates $650,000 from South Dakota's general fund to the state's "extraordinary litigation fund" to cover eligible legal costs under § 1-33-8.11. The bill directly affects the state government, specifically the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration, which will approve payments for these expenses. It declares an emergency to allow immediate funding, with unspent funds reverting per standard state procedures. The bill provides no new legal requirements but allocates existing funds for ongoing litigation costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results