South Dakota Bills

passed · South Dakota · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SCR 602: celebrating the sister-state relationship with Taiwan.

This ceremonial resolution (SCR 602) celebrates South Dakota's 42-year sister-state relationship with Taiwan, established in 1984. It highlights specific trade ties, including a 2025 agricultural mission visit and a wheat purchase agreement between South Dakota and Taiwan. The resolution expresses support for strengthening trade relations, academic exchanges, the U.S.-Taiwan tax agreement, and Taiwan's participation in international organizations. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the partnership.

Al Novstrup (R) Sue Peterson (R) Kevin Jensen (R) Will Mortenson (R) David Kull (R)

passed · South Dakota · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SCR 603: supporting the secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture in establishing a working group of nutrition experts to determine national standards for foods and beverages purchased with supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits.

South Dakota's Senate Concurrent Resolution 603 supports the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in establishing a federal working group of nutrition experts to develop evidence-based national standards for foods and beverages that can be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The resolution does not create new law but urges Congress to pass legislation implementing the working group’s recommendations, which would align SNAP purchasing rules with current nutrition science and dietary guidelines. It directly affects the federal SNAP program, which provides food assistance to millions of low-income Americans, including South Dakota residents. The resolution emphasizes that national standards require federal action to ensure consistency, avoid state administrative costs, and prevent future policy reversals. This is a supportive measure for federal policy development, not a direct change to SNAP benefits or eligibility.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed both · South Dakota · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SCR 604: urging the people of the state of South Dakota to seek the Lord Most High for His healing presence and mercy upon South Dakota.

This is a symbolic concurrent resolution (not a bill with enforceable provisions), introduced by Senator Voita. It urges South Dakotans to observe July as a time of prayer and fasting to seek divine healing and mercy for the state, referencing Judeo-Christian values and historical religious appeals. The resolution does not create new laws, alter policies, or impose requirements on citizens or government. It is purely a ceremonial expression of religious sentiment, based on the state's constitutional motto ("Under God, the People Rule") and historical references to faith in governance.

passed · South Dakota · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 105: require the licensure of certain individuals performing installation of radon mitigation systems and provide a penalty therefor.

SB 105 requires anyone installing radon mitigation systems for compensation to obtain a state license from the South Dakota Department of Health. Applicants must provide proof of national certification, pay an initial fee of up to $500, and be at least 18 years old. To renew a license, installers must complete 7 hours of approved continuing education and maintain current national certification, with renewal fees capped at $250. Installing radon systems without a license is classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

passed · South Dakota · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1131: amend the process by which certain school districts calculate the general fund base percentage.

HB 1131 amends how South Dakota school districts calculate their fall enrollment for state education funding. The bill specifically requires districts to exclude students residing in residential treatment facilities (when the facility operates the education program) from their enrollment count used in the funding formula. This change directly affects school districts serving students in such facilities, potentially altering their state funding amounts based on revised enrollment calculations. The amendment clarifies an existing definition within the state's education funding structure without changing other elements like teacher salary formulas or English learner adjustments.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Education

passed · South Dakota · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1132: prohibit the use of property and personnel in the enforcement of certain federal laws pertaining to firearms.

HB 1132 prohibits South Dakota state and local government employees from using public resources (personnel, equipment, or funds) to assist in enforcing federal firearm laws that are stricter than South Dakota's current laws. It specifically targets federal measures related to firearm registries, licensing requirements, background checks, or confiscation of firearms from law-abiding residents. The bill defines "material aid" broadly to include sharing information, using facilities, or participating in joint operations that support federal enforcement of these stricter laws. Exceptions allow cooperation on non-firearm crimes, state law enforcement with federal officers present (without aiding federal enforcement), compliance with court orders, and actions against individuals already prohibited from owning firearms under state law. This bill takes effect for federal laws taking effect on or after July 1, 2026.

passed · South Dakota · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 28: permit the use of a ballot on demand system and to declare an emergency.

SB 28 permits South Dakota counties and local political subdivisions to use a "ballot on demand system," which prints official ballots only when voters need them, rather than pre-printing all ballots. This directly affects county auditors and local election officials who manage voting systems. The bill requires that if a county and a political subdivision agree to use the same ballot for shared elections, the subdivision must use the county's authorized system. It also declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation upon passage. The change modifies election administration procedures but does not alter voting methods or ballot content.

passed · South Dakota · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 29: amend provisions pertaining to the tabulation of ballots and permit the release of any cast vote record and collection of ballot images produced by automatic tabulating equipment and to declare an emergency.

SB 29 amends South Dakota election laws to clarify definitions related to ballot tabulation equipment (like "cast vote records" and "ballot images") and permits the release of these records after elections. It requires county auditors to appoint resolution boards - composed of party representatives meeting specific voter threshold criteria - to review disputed ballots when automatic equipment cannot count them. The bill also mandates that election counting locations must be within the jurisdiction or state boundaries, with limited exceptions for equipment shortages. This bill directly affects county election officials and the transparency of post-election ballot review processes.

passed · South Dakota · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 99: create the property tax local effort replacement fund, to reduce certain property taxes, and to increase the rates for certain gross receipts taxes and use taxes.

SB 99 eliminates property taxes on owner-occupied single-family homes in South Dakota by reducing the maximum tax levy to $0 per thousand valuation, while increasing gross receipts tax rates for retailers from 4.2% to 6.2%. The bill also expands the 4.2% gross receipts tax to cover additional services like accountants, beauty shops, and laundry services (previously taxed at 4.2% under § 10-45-5). These changes directly affect homeowners (specifically single-family residents) and businesses in the listed service sectors. The policy shifts local tax burden from property to retail sales, with the revenue funding a new "property tax local effort replacement fund" to offset the reduced property tax revenue for school districts.

passed · South Dakota · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1115: revise a provision related to unauthorized possession of a controlled drug or substance.

HB 1115 revises South Dakota's law on unauthorized possession of controlled drugs by changing where such charges are filed. The bill amends Section 22-42-5 to state that unauthorized possession charges must now be prosecuted under § 22-42-5.1 instead of the current section. This directly affects individuals found in possession of controlled substances without a valid prescription or authorization. The bill maintains existing felony classifications: possession of Schedule I/II drugs remains a Class 5 felony, while Schedule III/IV possession remains a Class 6 felony. The change primarily modifies the legal citation for prosecution without altering the penalties or scope of the offense.

passed both · South Dakota · House Jan 28, 2026

HCR 6004: encouraging the use of physical cash in transactions.

HCR 6004 is a non-binding House Concurrent Resolution encouraging South Dakotans to use physical cash for transactions. It urges citizens to pay with cash when possible and support businesses offering cash discounts, while also encouraging businesses to provide such discounts. The resolution cites reasons including preventing purchase tracking, reducing transaction fees for businesses, keeping money circulating locally, enabling unbanked residents to participate in the economy, and improving disaster resilience. It does not create new laws or requirements but serves as a symbolic expression of support for cash-based transactions.

passed · South Dakota · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 1091: require that corrected information be posted at least twenty-four hours prior to a meeting of a political subdivision.

HB 1091 requires political subdivisions (like city councils, school boards, or county commissions) to post corrected versions of meeting agendas, attachments, or financial reports at least 24 hours before a meeting if they contain a material error. A "material error" is defined as any mistake likely to mislead the public about meeting details (date, time, location, subject) or the content of documents. This rule applies to both the physical office location and the subdivision's website, if one exists. Violating this requirement is punishable as a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Bill results