South Dakota Bills

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 145: revise the limitations on a municipality's power to take actions for the promotion of health or the suppression of disease.

This bill (SB 145) amends South Dakota law to clarify and expand municipalities' authority to take actions promoting health or suppressing disease. It removes specific restrictions that previously limited municipal power, such as prohibitions against actions that might interfere with religious freedom, free speech, assembly, or Second Amendment rights. Municipalities can now enact health-related ordinances or resolutions without needing to avoid these specific constitutional considerations. The change directly affects all South Dakota cities and towns when creating local health or disease prevention policies.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · South Dakota · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1205: amend the manner of calculating state aid to general and special education funding.

HB 1205 amends South Dakota's formula for calculating state aid to school districts for general and special education funding. It updates key definitions, including how "fall enrollment" is calculated (subtracting certain tuition-receiving students and adding those for whom the district pays tuition) and revises the target teacher ratio factor based on district size. The bill also establishes a new method for calculating target teacher compensation, linking it to the consumer price index and requiring annual adjustments. This directly affects all South Dakota public school districts receiving state education funding.

Topics ✓ Education

failed · South Dakota · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1210: prohibit COVID-19 vaccination requirements and to provide a penalty therefor.

HB 1210 bans employers, schools, state agencies, and other entities from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations as a condition for employment, enrollment, or accessing services. It directly affects workers, students, and individuals seeking public benefits or services. Violating this ban would result in a Class 2 misdemeanor penalty. The law overrides existing requirements and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 191: remove the authorization to issue grants as part of a tax increment financing district.

SB 191 removes the ability for local governments (counties or municipalities) to issue grants as part of a tax increment financing district. The bill amends South Dakota law by deleting the provision that allowed "payments and grants" to be included in "project costs" for these districts. This change specifically eliminates the authorization for governing bodies to use district funds for grants, restricting allowable uses to direct project costs like construction, bonds, or professional services. The bill affects how local governments can fund redevelopment projects within designated tax increment districts.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Housing

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 192: modify the blight requirements for purposes of creating a tax increment financing district.

SB 192 corrects a typo in South Dakota's law governing tax increment financing districts by clarifying that at least 50% of a proposed district's area must qualify as blighted or meet economic development criteria. This change directly affects counties and municipalities seeking to create such districts for redevelopment projects. The bill does not alter the definition of "blighted area" (which includes deteriorated structures, poor layouts, or unsafe conditions) or other requirements like municipal consent. It ensures the legal standard is clear and consistent for local governments pursuing economic revitalization through tax increment financing.

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SJR 506: proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, resetting, then limiting property taxes to a flat rate, until adjusted when sold.

SJR 506 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit South Dakota property taxes to a flat rate based on a property's most recent sale price. For 2028 taxes, the maximum cannot exceed the lower of the 2027 tax amount or the higher of the 2020 tax amount or 1% (for year-round residents) or 2% (for non-residents) of the most recent sale price. For subsequent years, the tax cap resets annually to the higher of the previous year's tax or the applicable percentage of the most recent sale price if ownership changed. This amendment would directly affect all South Dakota property owners, with non-resident owners facing a higher 2% rate versus 1% for residents. If approved by voters, it would replace current property tax calculation methods.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

failed · South Dakota · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1246: prohibit nondisclosure of certain agreements related to data centers.

HB 1246 prohibits state agencies and local governments from signing agreements with private entities that require secrecy about data center projects. It mandates that any agreement for building, developing, or locating a data center must be treated as a public record, making its terms accessible to the public. The bill defines a data center as a facility storing, processing, or managing electronic data. This ensures transparency by preventing confidential clauses in such agreements, allowing public access to project details without secrecy restrictions.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1236: establish civil liability for furnishing alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person.

HB 1236 would amend South Dakota law to remove civil liability immunity for licensees (like bars and restaurants) who serve alcohol to someone who is obviously intoxicated. Currently, licensees cannot be sued for injuries or deaths caused by such violations, but this bill would allow injured parties or their estates to pursue civil claims. The key change directly affects licensed alcohol establishments and their employees who serve patrons showing clear signs of intoxication. This shifts the legal standard by making licensees financially responsible for harm resulting from their violation of the existing prohibition against serving intoxicated individuals.

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1224: protect persons from discrimination by financial institutions.

HB 1224 prohibits South Dakota financial institutions from denying or restricting banking services (like checking accounts, loans, or credit cards) based on a person's religious exercise, free speech, or lawful economic activity. It requires institutions to provide a specific, written explanation within 30 days if they take an adverse action, detailing whether protected activities influenced the decision - replacing vague reasons like "internal policies." The bill bans agreements to discriminate and makes violations a deceptive trade practice under existing state law. It applies to large institutions processing over $100 billion in annual transactions, with exceptions for legitimate business reasons like account defaults or legal compliance.

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1307: limit the annual increase in assessed value of each owner-occupied single-family dwelling.

HB 1307 limits annual increases in the assessed value of owner-occupied single-family homes in South Dakota to a maximum of 3% per year for property taxes payable in 2027-2031. This applies to all such properties within a county, with exceptions allowing higher increases for new construction or property reclassified as owner-occupied. Counties must still follow other assessment rules under § 10-6-121. The law takes effect July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1281: reduce the sales and use tax rates on food, to increase the rates for certain taxes, use taxes, and excise taxes, and to provide a new fund for school district capital outlay projects.

HB 1281 reduces sales and use tax rates on non-prepared food (like groceries) for consumers while increasing tax rates on other items, including certain excise taxes and use taxes. The bill establishes a new fund specifically for school district capital projects, such as building construction or major equipment purchases. It defines "food" to exclude prepared meals (e.g., restaurant takeout), alcohol, tobacco, and candy, ensuring the tax cut applies only to basic grocery items. The policy shifts tax burden from grocery shoppers to other taxable goods and services to finance school infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 226: increase a limit on video lottery gaming, and to deposit moneys into a new fund.

SB 226 increases the payout limit for video lottery machines (allowing more than $1,000 per bet) and redirects excess revenue from video lottery gaming into a new fund. Specifically, after $165 million annually is deposited into the video lottery operating fund, any additional state share of video lottery revenue must go to the "residential tax reduction fund." This fund, administered by the Department of Revenue, provides property tax relief for owner-occupied single-family homes. The bill changes how video lottery revenue is distributed but does not alter the current 50% state share of net machine income.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results