South Dakota Bills

signed · South Dakota · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1030: amend provisions pertaining to the timing of municipal elections.

HB 1030 revises timing rules for municipal elections in South Dakota, primarily affecting cities and towns holding elections on annexation, dissolution, or consolidation. It requires that questions like annexation must be held within 60 days of certain actions or included in the next annual election if filed within 90 days prior, reducing separate special elections. The bill also adjusts deadlines for special election notices and aligns board term lengths with even-year elections. These changes streamline election scheduling for all South Dakota municipalities conducting these specific vote types.

Nicole Uhre-Balk (D) Will Mortenson (R) David Kull (R) Glen Vilhauer (R) Eric Emery (D)

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 172: enhance the economy of South Dakota.

SB 172 is a procedural bill that declares the Legislature's intent to "enhance the economy of South Dakota" but contains no specific provisions, mechanisms, or policy changes. It does not identify affected groups, outline funding sources, or describe implementation steps. The bill consists solely of a single-sentence declaration with no concrete measures. As such, it serves only as a general statement without actionable policy.

in committee · South Dakota · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1168: provide a property tax credit for the payment of nonpublic school tuition.

HB 1168 creates a property tax credit for South Dakota homeowners who pay for qualifying K-12 education expenses for children aged 5-19. The credit covers tuition, school fees (including sports/fine arts), textbooks, tutoring, test fees, transportation, and educational technology. It limits the credit to $1,000 per year or 80% of the school district taxes owed. Homeowners must apply annually by June 1st with documentation from the school or alternative instruction provider.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Technology

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1225: enhance the future of education in South Dakota.

HB 1225 is a procedural resolution with no concrete policy provisions. It merely states in Section 1: "The Legislature shall enhance the future of education in South Dakota," without specifying any mechanisms, funding, programs, or affected parties. The bill contains no actionable requirements or changes to existing law. As a non-substantive resolution, it does not implement any tangible education policy.

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 193: clarify the definition of backup electric generation.

SB 193 clarifies the definition of "backup electric generation" in South Dakota law, specifically defining it as temporary, grid-isolated power used only when primary electricity sources fail. This definition directly affects electric utilities, the Public Utilities Commission (referred to as "Commission" in the bill), and regulatory processes for energy facilities. The key mechanism is amending Section 49-41B-2(3) to explicitly state that backup generation is not interconnected with the grid and serves as a temporary replacement for primary power. This change ensures regulatory clarity for the Commission when reviewing facility permits and expansions. The bill does not alter existing requirements but provides a clear standard for future regulatory decisions.

signed · South Dakota · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1080: allow a business owner who is a veteran to display military specialty plates on a noncommercial vehicle registered to the veteran's business and to limit personal liability to the business owner and veteran.

HB 1080 allows veteran business owners to display military specialty plates on noncommercial vehicles (like personal cars or vans) registered to their business, provided the veteran is listed as an additional owner on the vehicle's title. It also limits the veteran's personal liability for damages from accidents involving these business vehicles. The bill requires the veteran to meet standard military plate eligibility and vehicle registration rules, with a $10 additional fee for the specialty plates. This directly affects veteran business owners who operate noncommercial vehicles under their business registration.

Topics ✓ Veterans

failed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 199: establish a new fund to provide property tax relief.

SB 199 creates a Property Tax Relief Fund in the state treasury to help reduce property taxes for homeowners and businesses. The fund is funded by transferring 25% of the annual increase in the state's general fund revenue each August into the account, starting in 2026. Local governments (political subdivisions) can use these funds to lower property tax levies on real property within their jurisdictions. The Department of Revenue administers the fund, and deposits automatically adjust based on state revenue changes each year. This provides a structured, ongoing mechanism for property tax relief tied to state budget growth.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 91: clarify the procedure for petitioning a board of county commissioners for a change to the comprehensive plan or zoning ordinances.

SB 91 clarifies the process for citizens to request changes to a county's comprehensive plan or zoning ordinances by setting specific deadlines. It requires county commissioners to hold a public hearing within 45 days of receiving a petition, and mandates the county planning commission to review the request and provide a recommendation within 45 days of the petition's submission. This bill directly affects residents, property owners, and local government officials by streamlining the petition process and ensuring timely responses. The key mechanism adds clear timeframes to existing procedures, reducing delays in reviewing land-use change requests. The bill focuses solely on procedural timing, not on the substance of zoning decisions.

failed · South Dakota · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1230: modify requirements for payment of the employer's investment in South Dakota's future fee.

HB 1230 modifies the requirements for South Dakota employers to pay an "investment in South Dakota's future fee" (a separate charge from unemployment insurance contributions). It establishes a new opt-in/opt-out system: employers can choose not to pay the fee by submitting a simple form (fitting on one page), and those who opt out face no penalties. Employers who opt in pay a fee rate based on their unemployment fund balance (ranging from 0.00% to 0.53%), with rates adjusted annually according to specific schedule tables. The fee proceeds go to a dedicated fund, not the main unemployment trust, and employers cannot deduct the fee from employee wages.

signed · South Dakota · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1020: increase the maximum amount allowable for the livestock ownership inspection fee and to declare an emergency.

HB 1020 increases the maximum allowable fee for livestock ownership inspections from $1.65 per head to a higher amount, as specified in amended law. The bill directly affects livestock owners in South Dakota who pay this inspection fee when registering or transferring livestock brands. It amends Section 40-18-16 of South Dakota law to raise the fee cap, requested by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The bill also declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation upon passage. This change adjusts the fee structure for livestock branding and inspection compliance without altering existing fee collection practices.

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1306: authorize the provision of charitable contributions to a scholarship granting organization.

HB 1306 allows South Dakota residents to make charitable contributions to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) that provide funds for eligible students. Eligible students must be South Dakota residents under 19, from households earning no more than 300% of the area median income, and not enrolled full-time in public school. Scholarships can cover tuition at private schools or microschools, educational materials, technology, transportation to school, and college entrance exams, but cannot exceed 82.5% of the state’s per-student funding level. SGOs must register with the Education Department, spend no more than 10% of contributions on administration, and submit annual financial reports detailing scholarship distribution.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1284: provide that an alcoholic beverage may be carried and consumed in enterprises connected to and in the same building as a bar or lounge.

HB 1284 allows patrons to carry and drink alcoholic beverages purchased at a bar or lounge in other businesses located within the same building, provided those businesses are owned or operated by the same entity. It specifically applies to "connected enterprises" (like restaurants or shops) sharing the same building as a licensed bar or lounge. The bill amends South Dakota law to permit this consumption without requiring separate liquor licenses for those connected spaces. This policy change directly affects businesses operating under shared ownership in multi-use buildings containing a bar or lounge. The provision does not apply to businesses outside the same building or owned by different entities.

Bill results