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South Dakota Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress
All 5,366 Active 493 In committee 2,157 Passed 1,789 Signed 2,134 Failed 546

Bill results

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 1177: replace the index used to calculate the salaries of members of the Legislature.

This bill (HB 1177) proposes to change the formula used to calculate salaries for South Dakota legislators. It would replace the current method - which ties salaries to 22% of the state's median household income (as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau) - with an unspecified new index. The bill does not specify what index would replace the current one, so the exact mechanism or impact cannot be described. The change would directly affect all members of the South Dakota Legislature by altering how their base salary is determined annually. (Note: The bill text provided does not name the replacement index, so key details are missing.)
Al Novstrup (R)
passed · South Dakota · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 1239: require that the Department of Education provide for the compensation of a teacher employed by a school district.

HB 1239 requires South Dakota's Department of Education to pay the full salary and benefits for all teachers employed by public school districts, replacing the previous system where districts covered these costs. The bill establishes a state-mandated salary schedule that must include increases based on a teacher's certification demand, highest degree, and years of experience, with benefits set at a minimum of 29% of salary. It also limits school districts from exceeding a target teacher ratio factor (calculated by enrollment size) without state approval. This directly affects all South Dakota public school districts and their teaching staff by shifting funding responsibility to the state.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state funding for teacher salaries/benefits, shifting costs from districts to state budget, increasing state expenditure on education.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates state funding for full teacher salaries/benefits with structured raises, directly increasing educator compensation and stability.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates state-funded teacher salaries/benefits (29% min), establishes state-mandated salary schedule with experience/certification increases, directly advancing teacher compensation and job security.95% confidence
Travis Ismay (R)
passed · South Dakota · House Feb 6, 2026

HCR 6008: requesting the attorney general file a lawsuit against the People's Republic of China and related parties to seek damages related to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

HCR 6008 is a South Dakota resolution requesting the Attorney General to sue China, the Chinese Communist Party, and a Wuhan lab for $100 billion in damages related to the pandemic's origin. It directly affects South Dakota residents who suffered pandemic-related losses like medical costs, business closures, or income loss. The resolution proposes creating a state fund to distribute up to $250,000 per person to affected residents using any damages secured through the lawsuit. This is a procedural request to the Attorney General, not a binding law.
Al Novstrup (R) Jana Hunt (R) Carl Perry (R) Brandei Schaefbauer (R) Dylan Jordan (R)
passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 202: require that the owner of a motor vehicle removed from a body of water pay the removal costs.

SB 202 requires vehicle owners to pay for removing their vehicles from bodies of water in South Dakota. It applies specifically to owners who intentionally abandon vehicles on public roads, drive vehicles into lakes or streams causing disablement, or drive onto frozen water that breaks through. The law makes owners civilly liable for both towing/removal costs and any associated storage fees under existing law. This bill directly affects vehicle owners whose actions result in a vehicle being submerged or disabled in water, shifting the financial responsibility from public agencies to the owner.
Carl Perry (R) Randy Deibert (R) Liz Larson (D) Jim Mehlhaff (R)
passed · South Dakota · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1050: increase civil penalties for commercial driver violations.

HB 1050 increases civil fines for commercial drivers who violate safety regulations. It raises penalties to $3,963 for a first conviction and $7,926 for repeat offenses for drivers violating out-of-service orders. Employers face fines of $7,157-$39,617 for certain violations, such as allowing unsafe driving practices. The bill directly affects commercial drivers and their employers by imposing higher financial consequences for safety rule breaches. These changes apply to specific violations under South Dakota’s commercial driver safety laws.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases penalties for safety violations, strengthening workplace safety protections for commercial drivers through higher fines for unsafe practices.95% confidence
passed · South Dakota · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1122: provide for the licensure of certain fishing guides, and to provide a penalty therefor.

This bill requires individuals who provide paid fishing guide services to the public to obtain an annual license from South Dakota's Department of Game, Fish and Parks, effective July 1, 2027. To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years old, maintain $1 million in liability insurance, and pay a $150 fee for residents. The license requirement does not apply to guiding services provided exclusively on the individual's own property. Operating without a license is a Class 1 misdemeanor, with each client served considered a separate offense.
Roger DeGroot (R) Tim Goodwin (R)
passed · South Dakota · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1174: classify 911 telecommunicators as Class B members of the South Dakota Retirement System.

HB 1174 would amend South Dakota's retirement law to include 911 telecommunicators as Class B members of the South Dakota Retirement System. This change directly affects 911 call center workers across the state, granting them the same retirement classification as police officers, firefighters, and other public safety staff. The bill updates the legal definition of "Class B member" in the retirement system statutes to explicitly list 911 telecommunicators alongside existing professions like law enforcement and fire personnel. This is a technical classification change, not a new benefit or funding mechanism.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClassifies 911 telecommunicators as Class B members, granting retirement benefits equivalent to police/firefighters, strengthening employment benefits for this workforce.95% confidence
David Kull (R) Eric Emery (D) Larry Zikmund (R) Kent Roe (R) Tim Walburg (R)
passed · South Dakota · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1112: modify the definition of an electronic smoking device.

HB 1112 modifies South Dakota's definition of "electronic smoking device" to explicitly include any device containing or delivering nicotine (or other substances with nicotine) intended for human consumption. This change clarifies that e-cigarettes, vape pens, e-cigars, and similar devices delivering nicotine fall under the definition, regardless of other substances they may contain. The amendment directly affects tobacco businesses selling these products and enforcement of existing laws regulating electronic smoking devices. The bill does not create new restrictions but ensures the definition aligns with how such devices are commonly used and marketed.
Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies nicotine device definition to strengthen public health regulations under public health safety, directly addressing health risks from nicotine products.95% confidence
Curt Voight (R) Phil Jensen (R) Dylan Jordan (R) Tina Mulally (R) Scott Moore (R)
passed · South Dakota · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1186: require the approval of the county for the creation of a tax increment financing district by a municipality.

HB 1186 requires South Dakota municipalities to obtain written approval from county commissioners before creating a tax increment financing district. This directly affects municipalities seeking to establish such districts and the counties where those districts would be located. The key provision mandates that county boards of commissioners must approve the district's creation through a formal resolution, either for the entire county or the portion within the county. The bill changes the process by adding county consent as a mandatory step, ensuring local county input before municipal tax district development begins.
Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRequires county approval for TIF districts, restricting municipal autonomy in fiscal management tools like tax increment financing.85% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRequires county approval for TIF districts, adding barriers to municipal housing development funding mechanisms that could delay or block projects.85% confidence
Terri Jorgenson (R) Aaron Aylward (R) Taffy Howard (R)
passed · South Dakota · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1172: terminate certain school district excess tax levies.

HB 1172 terminates school district excess tax levies approved before July 1, 2002, under South Dakota law. It prohibits these levies from being imposed in 2026 or any subsequent year. The bill directly affects school districts that previously secured voter-approved excess tax levies prior to 2002, ending their ability to collect these specific taxes moving forward. This is a procedural change that modifies existing tax authority without creating new programs or funding.
Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesTerminates pre-2002 school tax levies, ending revenue streams for districts and reducing funding capacity without creating new programs.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationTerminates pre-2002 school tax levies, eliminating a funding source without replacement, directly reducing school district revenue.95% confidence
Al Novstrup (R) Sue Peterson (R)
passed · South Dakota · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1226: authorize boards of county commissioners to adopt policies for investigating allegations of misconduct of county departments, employees, and officers.

HB 1226 authorizes South Dakota county commissioners to create written policies for investigating misconduct by county employees, departments, or officers. The bill requires these policies to cover specific misconduct types (like abuse of authority, conflicts of interest, or neglect of duty), mandate at least one outside investigator for complaints, and include confidentiality and due process standards. County boards must also ensure policies follow existing procedures for removing officers. This directly affects county government operations and employee accountability. The bill does not change existing misconduct definitions but sets procedural requirements for local investigations.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires outside investigators and due process for misconduct, enhancing law enforcement accountability - aligns with reform indicators.85% confidence
Spencer Gosch (R)
passed · South Dakota · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1127: revise provisions related to birth centers and the practice of certified professional midwives at birth centers.

HB 1127 revises South Dakota's regulations for birth centers and certified professional midwives. It requires birth centers to obtain a license from the Department of Health (with a $500 fee), mandates risk assessments to confirm low-risk pregnancies before admission, and requires written care plans addressing each client's medical and emotional needs. The bill also mandates that a practitioner or registered nurse be on-site during active labor and repeals the previous requirement that birth centers be within 30 minutes of a hospital. These changes directly affect birth centers, certified midwives, and patients seeking care at these facilities.
Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates safety protocols (risk assessments, on-site care) and regulated standards for birth centers, enhancing patient safety and access to midwifery services within healthcare framework.90% confidence
Al Novstrup (R) Tesa Schwans (R) Sue Peterson (R) John Hughes (R) Bobbi Andera (R)
Showing 169 to 180 of 1,789 bills
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