South Dakota Bills

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

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 20: make an appropriation for tax refunds for elderly persons and persons with a disability, and to declare an emergency.

This bill appropriates $425,000 from South Dakota's general fund to the Department of Revenue to provide tax refunds for real property tax and sales tax to elderly residents and individuals with disabilities. The refunds are based on existing laws (chapters 10-18A and 10-45A), with up to $20,000 allowed for administrative costs. The bill declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation and requires unspent funds by June 30, 2027, to revert to the general fund. It directly affects eligible elderly and disabled taxpayers by providing financial relief on specific taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 72: extend the time for reverting moneys appropriated for the modernization of the state's enterprise resource planning systems.

This bill extends the deadline for unspent funds allocated to modernize South Dakota's state enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. It amends existing law to delay the date when unused funds must revert to the general fund from June 30, 2029. The change directly affects state agencies managing the ERP modernization project, providing additional time to obligate or spend these funds. The key mechanism is modifying the reversion date in the 2023 appropriations law without altering the funding amount or project scope.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed both · South Dakota · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 1173: require certain applicants that seek a permit from the Public Utilities Commission of the State of South Dakota to prepare and pay for an environmental impact statement.

HB 1173 requires South Dakota's Public Utilities Commission to mandate an environmental impact statement (EIS) for certain utility permit applications before final approval. It specifically applies to applicants seeking permits for carbon dioxide transmission facilities and may require an EIS for other projects if the Commission determines it is necessary under state environmental law (Chapter 34A-9). The bill does not change the permit process itself but adds a requirement for an EIS review, which could affect project timelines and costs for utility developers. This applies to all pending and future permit applications before the Commission.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · South Dakota · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 1179: modify provisions related to the reimbursement fee for preparation of a garnishment disclosure.

HB 1179 increases the reimbursement fee paid to garnishees (entities holding a debtor's assets) for preparing garnishment disclosures. The bill amends South Dakota law to raise the current $15.50 fee for this service, requiring the plaintiff to pay the higher amount to cover the garnishee's preparation costs. This change directly affects garnishees who must prepare the disclosure when a garnishment summons is served. The bill does not alter the process or requirements for garnishment proceedings, only the reimbursement amount for the garnishee's work.

passed both · South Dakota · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 190: codify the rights of a parent.

South Dakota Senate Bill 190 establishes specific rights for parents regarding their minor children's upbringing, education, health care, and mental health decisions. The bill requires state agencies, schools, and employees to obtain parental consent before performing medical procedures, mental health evaluations, prescription medications, or biometric scans on minors - except in emergencies where immediate harm is imminent. It also grants parents access to their children's medical and school records, the right to direct religious instruction, and the ability to withdraw children from school activities or instruction on gender topics. The law explicitly states these rights do not override prohibitions against child abuse or neglect.

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 1014: modify the surcharge for a responding party in a forcible entry and detainer action.

HB 1014 modifies a $25 surcharge that typically applies when a defendant responds to a landlord-tenant lawsuit (forcible entry and detainer action) in South Dakota circuit court. The bill specifically removes this fee requirement for cases involving: (1) government entities (state, county, city, school district), or (2) defendants receiving assistance benefits under Title 28. This change ensures these groups and individuals are exempt from the surcharge, streamlining access to court for vulnerable populations and public entities in housing disputes. The bill does not alter the underlying legal process but adjusts fee collection rules for specific parties.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 1012: revise and repeal provisions allowing probation for contempt of a custody or visitation decree.

HB 1012 revises South Dakota law by removing the option to place individuals on probation for contempt of custody or visitation court orders. The bill repeals sections 25-4A-6 and 25-4A-7, which previously allowed courts to impose probation (up to five years) for violations of custody or visitation decrees. This change means parents who violate these court orders can no longer be given probation; instead, the court must handle contempt through other legal means. The bill directly affects parents who fail to comply with court-ordered custody or visitation schedules.

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 1022: revise and repeal provisions related to the crime victims' compensation program.

HB 1022 revises South Dakota's crime victims' compensation program by updating administrative procedures. It amends Section 23A-28B-28 to clarify the Department of Public Safety's process for reviewing claims and issuing orders, while repealing the redundant Section 23A-28B-31. The bill requires the department to issue orders containing specific elements (findings, payment amount, claimant name, and review options) without duplicating requirements. This affects victims applying for compensation through the program, streamlining how the department handles their claims but not changing eligibility or payment amounts.

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 1013: clarify the purposes permitted for certain offenders to operate a motor vehicle.

HB 1013 clarifies the specific purposes for which certain DUI offenders in South Dakota may operate a motor vehicle during a license revocation period. The bill explicitly permits driving for employment, school attendance, child care, health appointments, court/probation meetings, and treatment programs, provided the offender proves financial responsibility. It applies to individuals convicted of DUI-related offenses (listed in the bill) whose licenses are revoked for 90 days (first offense) or one year (subsequent offenses), ensuring courts can issue clear temporary driving permissions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

passed both · South Dakota · House Mar 2, 2026

HB 1275: create requirements for age verification and parental consent for application stores and to provide a penalty therefor.

This bill amends existing state consumer protection laws to add requirements for age verification and parental consent for application stores, which are digital platforms where users download software applications. The legislation would require these stores to verify the age of users and obtain parental consent from minors before allowing them to access or download applications. It also establishes penalties for businesses that fail to comply with these new verification and consent requirements. The bill does not create new consumer protection categories but rather modifies existing deceptive trade practices provisions to include digital application store compliance.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · South Dakota · House Mar 2, 2026

HB 1261: provide a tax credit for owner-occupied property, to make an appropriation therefor, and to transfer moneys to the general fund.

HB 1261 provides a property tax credit for homeowners of single-family residences in South Dakota, reducing their 2027 property tax bills by up to $500 or the full tax amount owed, whichever is lower. The credit applies automatically to tax bills sent by county treasurers for owner-occupied homes. To fund the credit, $120 million is reallocated from the housing infrastructure fund ($60 million) and the general fund/budget reserve ($60 million each), with the state treasurer transferring funds to cover the revenue loss. This policy directly affects single-family homeowners paying property taxes in 2027, while the funding mechanism ensures no new state revenue is required.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Bill results