South Dakota Bills

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1255: require that the Department of Health accept the medical records of a veteran applying for a medical cannabis registry identification card.

HB 1255 requires South Dakota's Department of Health to accept medical records from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) when veterans apply for a medical cannabis registry ID card. Veterans must submit VA records (within three years) showing a debilitating condition, along with proof of an honorable military discharge, to qualify under this provision. This eliminates the need for veterans to obtain a new certification from a South Dakota healthcare provider for the card application. The bill applies specifically to veterans meeting these documentation requirements, streamlining access to medical cannabis registry cards.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1256: require the promulgation of rules related to accessing the capitol complex and providing electronic card access to capitol access pass holders.

HB 1256 requires South Dakota's Bureau of Human Resources to create rules governing public access to the Capitol complex, including hours of operation, parking, and safety regulations. It also mandates that capitol access pass holders (such as state employees and contractors) can use electronic cards to enter all outside Capitol entrances. This directly affects pass holders and the public visiting the Capitol complex by changing access procedures. The bill focuses on administrative access rules without altering security policies.

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1324: abolish the State Board of Elections.

This bill (HB 1324) does not actually abolish the State Board of Elections, as its title claims. Instead, it amends South Dakota law regarding petition requirements for constitutional amendments and initiated measures. The bill specifies detailed formatting rules for petition documents (e.g., 14-point font for text, designated election dates) and requires petition sponsors to submit materials to the Secretary of State, not the State Board of Elections. It also mandates circulator handouts containing specific information about petition sponsors and circulator status. The bill directly affects individuals and groups seeking to place constitutional amendments or initiated measures on the ballot.

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1141: provide an additional means of determining the purchase price of a used motor vehicle acquired by gift or other transfer.

This bill amends South Dakota tax law to establish two specific methods for determining the purchase price of a used vehicle acquired by gift or other transfer with no or minimal payment. It directly affects individuals receiving vehicles this way, as it provides an alternative to the default tax assessment method. The key change allows taxpayers to use either the retail value from a nationally recognized dealers' guide (approved by the Secretary of Revenue) or a documented bill of sale showing the actual prior purchase price. This gives people a clearer path to prove the vehicle's value for excise tax purposes, potentially reducing their tax burden compared to the previous default of using the retail guide value.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 150: exempt one motor vehicle of a debtor from being taken by legal process.

SB 150 would amend South Dakota law to allow debtors who are heads of households to exempt one motor vehicle from being seized by creditors. The vehicle must be valued at $5,000 or less after accounting for any existing loan or security interest. This change modifies existing exemption rules (§ 43-45-4), adding the vehicle as a specific exempt asset alongside other personal property limits. The bill directly affects South Dakota residents facing debt collection who qualify as heads of families, providing a concrete safeguard for their primary transportation.

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1237: require age verification before an individual may access an application from an online application store, publicly available website, electronic service, or other online platform.

HB 1237 requires app stores and developers to verify the age of users before they can access applications, with specific rules for children under 16. App stores must determine age, obtain parental consent for minors, provide digital age signals (e.g., 13-15 or 16-17), and enable parental controls for time limits and activity monitoring. The law directly affects app stores (manufacturers), app developers, and users under 16, applying to platforms distributing apps like mobile app stores. Violations could result in $5,000 civil penalties per affected child, enforced by state attorneys general.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed both · South Dakota · House Feb 19, 2026

HCR 6011: encouraging the Executive Board of the Legislative Research Council to form an interim Neurohealth Safety Committee to study and assess the regulatory framework under which vapor product retail establishments operate.

HCR 6011 is a concurrent resolution urging South Dakota's Legislative Research Council to establish an interim committee. The committee would study unregulated vapor products (like e-cigarettes) and assess their health impacts, particularly on youth. This resolution does not create new laws but seeks to evaluate whether regulatory action is needed, based on concerns about the safety of these products and their increasing use among young people. The focus is on gathering information to inform future policy decisions.

in committee · South Dakota · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1072: provide an appropriation for a payment for state employee salaries.

HB 1072 allocates $20.6 million in state and federal funds to provide South Dakota state employees with a payment equal to 1.5% of their January 1, 2026 salary. Starting July 1, 2026, each active state employee as of that date will receive this amount monthly in 12 equal installments. The payment applies only to employees still working at the time of each monthly disbursement, meaning no payments are made to those who left state employment before a payment date. The funds must be expended by June 30, 2027, with unused amounts reverting to the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · South Dakota · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1222: prohibit members of the Board of Economic Development from having any interest in moneys from or approved by the Board of Economic Development.

HB 1222 prohibits members of South Dakota's Board of Economic Development from holding any financial interest (such as ownership or board membership) in entities that receive funding, grants, or public money approved by the Board. This directly affects Board members and businesses or organizations seeking economic development funds. The key provision bans conflicts of interest by ensuring Board members cannot benefit financially from the organizations they help fund. The bill aims to prevent self-dealing in economic development funding decisions.

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 6: reduce the duration of an individual's reemployment benefits.

SB 6 reduces the maximum duration of reemployment benefits for eligible South Dakota workers. The bill amends Section 61-6-8 to shorten the standard benefit period from 26 weeks to a shorter duration (as specified in the amended statute). This directly affects individuals who qualify for state unemployment benefits by limiting how long they can receive payments. The key provision modifies the existing benefit calculation to decrease the total weeks available, without changing the weekly benefit amount. The bill does not address trade readjustment training extensions or base period wage calculations.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 233: prohibit the assessment of certain administrative fees or penalties related to the provision of care by an out-of-network provider.

SB 233 prohibits health insurance carriers from charging administrative fees or penalties to healthcare providers for care involving out-of-network providers. This directly affects health care providers who treat patients using out-of-network services and health carriers that typically impose such fees. The bill’s key provision bans carriers from assessing these fees for any care provided by a provider not contracted with the carrier (defined as "out-of-network"). It creates a clear policy change requiring carriers to cover such care without additional administrative costs to providers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1318: prohibit natural asset companies.

HB 1318 prohibits South Dakota from engaging with or investing in "natural asset companies," defined as for-profit entities that manage ecological resources like soil, biodiversity, or water quality for financial gain. The bill bans state contracts, investments, and bonds involving these companies, prohibits them from operating in the state, and voids any contracts entered after July 1, 2026. It also requires the Secretary of State to revoke business licenses for such companies and prevents natural assets (e.g., land, water rights) from being transferred to them. The law applies broadly to corporations and LLCs classified as natural asset companies but excludes state retirement systems and investment councils.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Bill results