South Dakota Bills

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1260: authorize the establishment of municipal property tax rebate programs.

HB 1260 allows South Dakota municipalities to create programs that rebate property taxes on owner-occupied single-family homes within their borders. If a city or town adopts such a program through a local ordinance, it must provide rebates to qualifying homeowners who meet the criteria set by that ordinance. The bill specifically limits rebates to taxes levied directly by the municipality, not state or county taxes. This policy change gives local governments a tool to potentially reduce housing costs for residents, but only if they choose to implement such a program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 220: authorize a comprehensive study of juvenile correctional and residential facilities, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.

SB 220 directs South Dakota's Department of Corrections to conduct a study evaluating juvenile correctional and residential facilities. The study must examine best practices, therapeutic housing models, vocational training combined with mental health services, and staff-to-youth ratios, including inspections at three facilities outside South Dakota. The bill appropriates $50,000 from the general fund to cover study costs and requires a written report to the Legislative Research Council by September 1, 2026. This is a procedural study bill with no direct policy changes or new requirements for facilities, solely aimed at gathering information for future decisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 27: revise the description of certain highways included in the state trunk highway system.

SB 27 amends two sections of South Dakota law (31-4-156 and 31-4-235) to update the precise geographic descriptions of existing highways within the state trunk highway system. The bill corrects the written route descriptions for specific highways in Butte, Lawrence, and other counties, clarifying points like "from a point on the Wyoming state line southeasterly to Interstate Highway 90" and "from U.S. Highway 16 in Custer." It does not change the physical routes or create new policies; it only revises the official legal descriptions to match current highway alignments. This is a technical correction to state code, not a substantive policy change.

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 26: revise procurement for highway construction contracts.

SB 26 exempts highway construction contracts entered into by South Dakota's Department of Transportation (DOT) from standard state procurement rules. This means the DOT can bypass typical competitive bidding requirements when awarding these specific contracts. The bill amends existing law to clarify that DOT highway construction contracts are explicitly excluded from general procurement statutes. It directly affects the DOT and contractors working on state highway projects, streamlining their procurement process. The change focuses on administrative efficiency for highway construction, not altering the scope of work or funding.

passed both · South Dakota · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 125: establish the homeowner tax reduction fund.

SB 125 creates a state fund to provide property tax rebates for owner-occupied single-family homes in South Dakota. The Department of Revenue will calculate annual rebates using a formula: multiplying $2 by the number of eligible homeowners, subtracting that from the fund's total, and dividing by the number of homeowners. Rebates are capped at either this calculated amount or the portion of property taxes exceeding $250 per home. The fund cannot be diverted to the general state budget, and any unused funds must stay in the fund or cover administrative costs. This directly affects homeowners who live in single-family residences and pay property taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 134: restrict deference to a state agency's interpretation of a state statute, administrative rule, or policy.

SB 134 requires South Dakota courts and administrative hearing officers to interpret state statutes, rules, and policies independently ("de novo") instead of giving special weight to a state agency's interpretation. It prohibits courts from deferring to agency views and mandates that any remaining uncertainty must be resolved in favor of interpretations consistent with individuals' constitutional rights. This directly affects state agencies, courts, and anyone challenging agency actions or interpretations in court. The bill changes how legal disputes involving agency rules are reviewed, ensuring courts make final decisions without relying on agency explanations.

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 75: amend the type of entities eligible to participate in the cybersecurity services initiative.

SB 75 expands eligibility for South Dakota's cybersecurity services initiative to include nonprofit utility companies and utilities operated by local governments (like cities or counties). It appropriates $7 million from the general fund to the Attorney General's Office to fund cybersecurity infrastructure and administrative costs for eligible entities. The bill modifies existing law to allow these newly included organizations to access the initiative's resources, which previously covered only counties and municipalities. Funds must be used to protect IT assets and address specific cybersecurity needs of participating local governments and utilities. The initiative aims to improve cybersecurity across state government and service provider networks.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Technology

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 129: update references in certain statutes to the 2024 standard building codes.

SB 129 updates South Dakota statutes to reference the 2024 edition of the International Building Code, International Property Maintenance Code, and International Residential Code instead of the 2021 editions. It directly affects local governments (cities and counties) that adopt building ordinances, requiring them to use the newer 2024 code standards for construction, maintenance, and residential structures. The bill does not change building requirements but ensures local ordinances align with the latest national model codes. It specifically excludes mobile homes, farmsteads, and certain residential structures from these updated references, as defined in existing law.

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1119: modify provisions regarding directors serving on a farm mutual insurer’s board.

HB 1119 modifies governance rules for farm mutual insurers in South Dakota by increasing the maximum number of board directors from 11 to 15 and clarifying eligibility requirements. The bill requires that directors must be members of the insurer or one of its affiliates (defined as entities controlling or controlled by the insurer). This directly affects the board composition of all South Dakota farm mutual insurers operating under these rules. The key change streamlines board size limits while ensuring directors have a direct connection to the insurer through membership or affiliation.

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 71: authorize the assumption of certain responsibilities and the waiver of sovereign immunity in connection with certain actions under federal environmental law.

SB 71 allows South Dakota's Department of Transportation to take over federal environmental review responsibilities for highway projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It directly affects the state DOT and any parties involved in lawsuits related to these highway projects. Key provisions include waiving South Dakota's sovereign immunity (meaning the state can be sued in federal court) for compliance disputes and requiring the state to pay damages and attorney fees from highway funds if it loses such cases. The bill streamlines environmental reviews for state highway projects but does not change federal environmental standards.

Topics ✓ Transportation

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.

passed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 122: establish the crime of failure to summon aid for a suicide attempt and provide a penalty therefor.

South Dakota's SB 122 creates a legal duty for people present during emergencies to assist others at risk of serious injury, by attempting to contact law enforcement or medical help if safely possible. This duty applies to ordinary citizens, not professionals like EMTs or police who are already paid for their services. Violating this duty is a Class 2 misdemeanor, a minor criminal offense. The bill also provides legal immunity from civil lawsuits for unpaid helpers who act reasonably, but not for those receiving compensation for their assistance.

Bill results