South Dakota Bills

died · South Dakota · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 215: provide for a pilot program for the implementation of a secured cryptographically end-to-end verifiable voting system in certain jurisdictions.

SB 215 establishes a pilot program in South Dakota to test a secure digital voting system for absentee voters, including military and overseas voters, in up to three participating jurisdictions. Jurisdictions must obtain local approval and notify the Secretary of State, who then reviews and waives incompatible state laws within seven days. Participating jurisdictions will not need to provide paper ballots to absentee voters, and the system must use encryption to verify votes while ensuring voters can cast all their votes securely. The pilot aims to validate the system's functionality without altering voter eligibility, registration, or election day procedures.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1270: provide an apprenticeship pathway to practice law in South Dakota.

HB 1270 creates a legal apprenticeship pathway for becoming a licensed attorney in South Dakota, specifically for graduates of the University of South Dakota School of Law who are South Dakota residents. To qualify, applicants must complete 675 hours of supervised legal work under a licensed attorney with at least seven years of practice, followed by a background check. Upon meeting these requirements, apprentices receive a license but must also complete 50 hours of pro bono legal work annually for five years after licensure. The bill directly affects prospective lawyers at USD Law who choose this alternative to traditional law school graduation and bar exam requirements.

in committee · South Dakota · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 210: provide that a portion of revenues from wind farms remain with school districts.

The provided bill text only shows an amendment to education funding definitions (§ 13-13-10.1) and does not include the specific provision about wind farm revenues mentioned in the bill title. The text defines terms like "fall enrollment" and "target teacher ratio" but omits any mechanism for allocating wind farm revenues to school districts. Without the actual revenue-sharing language or relevant sections of the bill, a factual summary cannot be generated from the given context.

in committee · South Dakota · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1278: prohibit certain political committees from accepting contributions by certain officers or employees of this state.

HB 1278 prohibits state official campaign committees and affiliated political action committees from accepting contributions from certain state employees. Specifically, it bans contributions from department heads, the highest-paid non-head employee in a department, or any employee who reports directly to a state official. This applies to committees tied to officials including the Governor, legislators, and cabinet members like the Attorney General. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, aiming to prevent potential conflicts of interest by restricting donations from employees in close proximity to decision-makers.

introduced · South Dakota · House Feb 23, 2026

HC 8013: recognizing the Agricultural Issues team of the West Central FFA chapter and celebrating their first-place victory in the state competition and their journey to nationals.

This bill (HC 8013) is a legislative commemoration recognizing the West Central FFA chapter's Agricultural Issues team for winning first place at the 2025 South Dakota State Leadership Development Events. It specifically honors the team members - Holly Berg, Kenasyn Johnson, Ganon Lienhard, Teagan Lupkes, Alex Siemonsma, Stella Siemonsma, and Nate Struck - and their advisor, Linda Petersen - for their research on autonomous agricultural systems and their advancement to national competition. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on any laws or constituents.

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1305: prohibit the dissemination of location information about a public officer and provide a penalty and civil cause of action therefor.

HB 1305 prohibits sharing the home, work, or school location of a public officer (current or former) or their family without consent, specifically when intended to harass, threaten, or cause fear for safety. It makes violations a Class 6 felony and creates a civil lawsuit option for affected officers to recover damages (including emotional distress), attorney fees, and punitive damages. The law directly affects public officers and their households by restricting location information dissemination under these conditions. It applies regardless of whether criminal charges are filed for the same act.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1067: provide a rebuttable presumption in favor of joint physical custody of a minor child.

HB 1067 creates a legal presumption in South Dakota that joint physical custody (approximately equal time with both parents) is in the best interest of a minor child for initial custody decisions. This means courts must assume joint custody is appropriate unless evidence shows it would harm the child, based on factors like parental cooperation or the child's needs. The bill directly affects parents involved in custody disputes by shifting the starting point for court decisions toward shared parenting. It defines joint physical custody as roughly equal time-sharing agreed upon by parents or ordered by a court, and repeals a prior section that handled custody determinations. Courts must still make written findings about the child's best interests.

in committee · South Dakota · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1123: establish a pilot program to provide benefits for menstrual hygiene products and diapers for individuals who receive temporary assistance for needy families, and to make an appropriation therefor.

HB 1123 establishes a pilot program in South Dakota to provide monthly benefits for menstrual hygiene products and diapers to individuals receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Specifically, it allocates $14 per month for TANF participants aged 18-50 who experience menstruation and $30 per month for diapers for children under three in their care. Benefits will be distributed via existing TANF electronic benefit cards, with funds restricted to approved products and unspent amounts carried over monthly. The program, funded by a $2.5 million appropriation, requires a legislative evaluation report by September 2027 and expires June 30, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · South Dakota · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1098: amend certain provisions pertaining to special education funding.

HB 1098 adjusts South Dakota's special education funding formula by establishing annual per-student funding amounts for six disability levels (e.g., $7,650.45 for "level one" disabilities in 2025) that increase yearly based on inflation (using the Consumer Price Index or 3%, whichever is lower). It also requires school districts to reduce local tax levies if local revenue growth exceeds student need growth statewide. The bill directly affects South Dakota school districts (which receive the funding) and students with disabilities (who qualify for services based on their disability level). Key provisions include standardized funding rates per disability classification and a new $1.26 per $1,000 valuation local levy rate for 2026 and beyond.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SJR 505: proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, limiting the assessed value of real property and limiting real property taxes.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would limit property taxes in South Dakota to no more than 1% of a property's assessed value. It also caps annual increases to assessed property values at 2% (starting with 2027 valuations) and allows adjustments for ownership changes, renovations, or damage. The amendment would affect all real property owners in South Dakota by restricting how local governments can levy taxes on their land and buildings. Voters would need to approve this change at the next general election for it to take effect.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

signed · South Dakota · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1034: increase fees for decals and license plates mailed to vehicle owners.

HB 1034 would increase fees for vehicle decals and license plates mailed directly to owners. Specifically, it raises the fee to $2.50 per decal set and $12 per license plate set when mailed. This change directly affects South Dakota vehicle owners who choose to have their decals or plates sent by mail instead of picking them up in person. The bill amends existing law to implement these higher mailing fees, which apply only to mail-delivered items, not in-person transactions. The policy change is limited to the fee structure for mailed vehicle registration materials.

signed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 54: revise the conditions for in-service distributions from the South Dakota deferred compensation plan.

SB 54 allows South Dakota state employees aged 59.5 or older to withdraw money from their deferred compensation plan while still employed, without stopping future contributions. This new option, added to existing conditions like retirement, death, or emergencies, lets participants choose any permitted withdrawal method. It directly affects state workers enrolled in the deferred compensation plan who meet the age requirement. The bill does not change other distribution rules or eligibility for emergency withdrawals.

Bill results