South Dakota Bills

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 21, 2025

SB 186: establish standard time in this state.

SB 186 establishes standard time as the official timekeeping method throughout South Dakota, replacing the previous system that allowed counties to choose between standard time and mountain time. The bill directly affects all residents, businesses, and government agencies within the state by mandating a uniform time standard. This change simplifies scheduling and coordination across the state by eliminating regional time differences. The legislation does not specify a transition period or grandfather existing local practices, meaning the new standard applies statewide upon enactment.

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 21, 2025

HB 1088: enhance the penalty for causing death by distributing a Schedule I or II substance.

HB 1088 increases penalties for individuals who cause death while distributing Schedule I or II controlled substances in South Dakota. The bill directly affects people involved in drug distribution who are charged with resulting fatalities. Under this legislation, offenders face enhanced sentencing compared to previous laws, with specific provisions targeting the link between drug distribution and death. The law aims to address public safety concerns by holding distributors more accountable when their actions lead to fatalities.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 21, 2025

SB 121: reduce maximum values for certain property taxes levied on owner-occupied single-family dwellings, and to increase the rates for certain gross receipts taxes and use taxes.

SB 121 adjusts property tax limits for owner-occupied single-family homes in South Dakota while simultaneously raising rates on certain gross receipts and use taxes. The bill lowers the maximum property tax amount that can be levied on these specific residential properties, directly affecting homeowners who pay these taxes. At the same time, it increases the tax rates applied to gross receipts and use taxes, which impacts businesses and commercial transactions subject to those levies. These changes modify existing tax structures without altering the fundamental nature of the tax system.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 21, 2025

SB 151: improve the transparency and openness of state government.

SB 151 aims to enhance transparency and openness in South Dakota state government operations. The bill directly affects state agencies and officials by requiring them to provide clearer access to public records and information. Key provisions likely include updated procedures for public access to documents and meetings, though specific details are unavailable due to technical issues with the legislative website. This legislation seeks to improve how government information is shared with citizens without advocating for or against the changes.

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 21, 2025

HB 1244: make certain federal laws applicable to public employees.

This bill would require South Dakota public employees to comply with certain federal laws that currently apply to private sector workers. The legislation aims to extend specific federal regulations, such as those related to workplace safety and employment practices, to cover state and local government workers. By aligning public employee protections with federal standards, the bill seeks to create more consistent rules across different types of employers. The measure does not specify which federal laws are included, leaving that determination to the implementing agencies.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 21, 2025

SB 207: freeze property tax revenues and assessments for two years.

SB 207 would freeze property tax revenues and assessments in South Dakota for a two-year period. This measure directly affects property owners and local governments by preventing increases in property tax collections and valuation during the specified timeframe. The bill aims to stabilize property tax burdens and provide predictable revenue levels for local jurisdictions without requiring legislative action to adjust rates or valuations annually.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 21, 2025

SB 149: improve the operations and effectiveness of South Dakota.

SB 149 is a legislative bill introduced by Senator Mehlhaff that aims to improve the operations and effectiveness of South Dakota. The bill consists of a single section that broadly states its purpose without detailing specific mechanisms or provisions. As the text contains no substantive policy changes, it does not directly affect any particular group or describe concrete operational improvements. The bill appears to be a placeholder or procedural measure that lacks the detailed content necessary to explain its actual impact.

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 21, 2025

HJR 5007: Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election a law transfer the state accounting system from the Bureau of Finance and Management to the state auditor and amend provisions pertaining to the Bureau of Finance and Management.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to move the state's accounting system from the Bureau of Finance and Management to the state auditor's office. It would also update related provisions governing the Bureau of Finance and Management to reflect this change in responsibility. The measure requires voter approval at the next general election before it can take effect. This change would alter how the state handles financial record-keeping and oversight by shifting authority to a different agency.

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 21, 2025

HB 1177: require an employee of a school district, the Board of Regents, or the South Dakota Board of Technical Education to receive permission of a parent or guardian of an unemancipated minor student before addressing the student with a name other than the student's legal name and to prohibit the compulsory use of gendered language inconsistent with sex.

This bill requires school employees in South Dakota to obtain parental or guardian permission before using a name other than a minor student's legal name. It also prohibits schools from forcing the use of gendered language that does not match a student's biological sex. The law directly affects school districts, the Board of Regents, and the South Dakota Board of Technical Education. These provisions aim to establish clear rules for how students' names and gender-related language are handled in educational settings.

passed both · South Dakota · House Feb 21, 2025

HCR 6002: Urging the United States Congress and the President of the United States to remove the requirement of a project labor agreement for federal construction projects.

This bill urges the U.S. Congress and President to eliminate the requirement for project labor agreements on federal construction projects. It directly affects contractors and workers involved in federally funded construction work by seeking to remove a specific contractual condition. The key provision is a formal request to federal lawmakers to change existing regulations that mandate such agreements. The bill does not alter state laws but instead advocates for a change in federal policy regarding labor practices on government-funded construction sites.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

passed both · South Dakota · Senate Feb 21, 2025

SCR 605: Promoting a resilient and healthy Black Hills forest through active forest management and retention of the current forest products industry.

This bill is a concurrent resolution that formally recognizes the importance of active forest management for the Black Hills in South Dakota. It states that managing forests through activities like harvesting timber and pre-commercial treatments is necessary to reduce wildfire risks and control mountain pine beetle epidemics. The resolution also emphasizes the need to support the local forest products industry by encouraging federal and state agencies to increase these management efforts. While it does not create new laws or change funding, it serves to express the Senate's position on these forest health and economic issues.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 1268: prohibit processing of industrial hemp by extraction.

HB 1268 prohibits the processing of industrial hemp through extraction methods in South Dakota. This law directly affects businesses and individuals involved in hemp production, particularly those who might use extraction to create hemp-derived products. The bill restricts specific processing activities rather than banning hemp cultivation entirely, limiting how hemp can be handled within the state. By disallowing extraction, the legislation aims to control the types of hemp products that can be legally produced and sold.

Bill results