South Dakota Bills

died · South Dakota · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 1304: allow subdivisions to limit the operation of drones at open-air events.

HB 1304 (South Dakota House Bill 1304) allows cities, counties, and other local subdivisions to create reasonable rules restricting drone flights at specific large outdoor events. It directly affects event organizers and attendees at parades, festivals, state/county fairs, air shows, sporting events, and similar gatherings drawing crowds. The bill authorizes local governments to implement these restrictions to protect privacy and prevent trespass, as outlined in the new provisions added to South Dakota law. The key mechanism is granting subdivisions authority to enact such rules through ordinances or resolutions, without requiring state-level approval.

Topics ✗ Technology

introduced · South Dakota · House Feb 10, 2026

HC 8008: honoring Ashlyn Koupal of Wagner for being named to the 2026 McDonald's All-American Girls Basketball Team.

This bill is a legislative commemoration honoring Ashlyn Koupal, a Wagner High School senior, for being named to the 2026 McDonald's All-American Girls Basketball Team. It recognizes her as only the second South Dakotan and the first female athlete from South Dakota selected for this national honor, celebrating her athletic achievement and leadership. The resolution has no policy impact - it solely expresses the legislature's recognition of her historic accomplishment.

died · South Dakota · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 1310: make an appropriation for providing loans to custom exempt plants and slaughtering establishments.

HB 1310 appropriates $10 million from South Dakota's economic development fund to provide loans for startup or expansion of custom exempt plants and slaughtering establishments (defined under §39-5-6). The loans, capped at $1 million per establishment and secondary to other financing for the same purpose, are administered by the Governor's Office of Economic Development. Funds must be used for eligible projects within the state, with unspent amounts reverting per standard procedures. The program becomes effective June 30, 2026.

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 1271: prohibit weather and climate modification activities and provide a penalty therefor.

HB 1271 prohibits the intentional release of specific chemicals (like aluminum barium, sulfur dioxide, or PFAS-containing chaff) into the atmosphere for weather modification, directly affecting operators of equipment used for such activities. It establishes a $100,000 minimum civil penalty per violation (plus $10,000 daily for ongoing violations) and creates a dedicated monitoring fund to cover enforcement costs. The bill requires airports to report aircraft equipped with weather-modification devices (excluding standard agricultural sprayers) to the Department of Transportation, which forwards reports to the Agriculture Department for investigation. Key mechanisms include online violation reporting, departmental investigation rules, and airport compliance reporting starting July 2026.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · South Dakota · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 1153: protect certain rights of healthcare providers.

HB 1153 protects healthcare providers' right to refuse participation in or payment for medical services that conflict with their moral, ethical, or religious beliefs (Section 2). It applies broadly to all healthcare professionals (like doctors, nurses, pharmacists), healthcare entities (hospitals, clinics), and organizations arranging medical payments (Section 1). The bill prohibits discrimination against providers who exercise this right, engage in protected speech about it, report violations, or disclose conscience-related concerns to authorities (Section 3). It clarifies that employers may accommodate this right through reassignment or schedule changes but cannot retaliate, while not affecting existing duties to provide non-conflicting care.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 1170: allow online access to verify registry status for organ donation.

HB 1170 requires South Dakota's Department of Public Safety to make the state's organ donation registry accessible online 24/7, allowing registered donors or authorized individuals to verify their status anytime. It directly affects South Dakotans who are organ donors or considering donation, as well as organ procurement organizations and donation agencies that need to access registry information. The bill mandates that the registry must allow online registration, amendment, revocation, and verification of donor status, while ensuring personally identifiable information is protected and only used for determining donation status near death. This change streamlines access to the registry without altering the underlying donation process or eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · South Dakota · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 1243: require the display of the state motto in public schools and provide for associated legal representation.

HB 1243 requires all South Dakota public schools to display the state motto, "Under God the People Rule," in a prominent location like an entryway or cafeteria. Schools may use a mounted plaque, student artwork, or other approved form chosen by the principal. The bill also mandates that the state Attorney General provide free legal representation and cover related costs - including damages, fees, and expenses - for school districts, employees, or board members facing lawsuits over displaying the motto. This applies to both the state motto and the national motto when displayed per this law.

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 1242: require emergency personnel to use flares or emergency reflective triangles to mark stopped emergency vehicles in some circumstances.

HB 1242 requires emergency personnel (police, fire, EMTs) to place three flares or emergency reflective triangles around stopped emergency vehicles when visibility is reduced by weather, terrain, or time of day; road conditions make stopping difficult; or the emergency requires extended vehicle stops. The law specifies placement: 100 feet front and rear on two-way roads, with adjusted spacing (100 feet and 200 feet rear) on one-way roads. This applies to all emergency vehicles operating under the statute's exemptions. The policy change aims to improve safety visibility for responders and other drivers during emergency stops.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

died · South Dakota · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 152: establish provisions relating to the use of military protective orders upon arrest and as evidence in an action for a protection order.

This bill requires South Dakota law enforcement officers to check if a military protective order (from the FBI's database) exists when arresting military members or associates. If officers believe the person violated such an order, they must notify the issuing authority. The bill also allows military protective orders to be used as evidence in court cases for protection orders to demonstrate a pattern of behavior. It directly affects military personnel, law enforcement, and individuals involved in protection order proceedings in South Dakota.

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 10, 2026

HCR 6009: urging Congress to repeal the estate tax.

This South Dakota House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 6009) urges Congress to repeal the federal estate tax. It directly affects farm and ranch families and generational family businesses, as their assets (like land and equipment) are often hard to sell quickly to pay the tax. The resolution highlights that the tax can force heirs to downsize or sell operations to cover payments, rather than allowing them to maintain family assets. The resolution is a formal request to Congress, not a law, and does not change existing tax policy.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

died · South Dakota · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 1195: provide free admission to state parks and recreation areas for residents enrolled as members of Indian tribes.

HB 1195 provides free admission to South Dakota state parks and recreation areas for residents enrolled as members of Indian tribes. It also grants a 50% discount on camping fees and associated electrical service fees at these locations. Qualified individuals will receive a lifetime park entrance license issued by the Department of Game, Fish and Parks, with specific application criteria and procedures to be established by the agency. This policy directly affects enrolled tribal members seeking access to state park facilities.

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 147: prohibit a person from refusing to identify oneself in certain circumstances and to provide a penalty therefor.

SB 147 allows merchants selling alcohol to detain individuals under 21 who appear to be illegally purchasing or attempting to purchase alcohol, or who misrepresented their age. The detained person must provide identification for verification to the merchant or law enforcement. Violating this requirement (refusing to identify) is punishable as a Class 2 misdemeanor. The bill directly affects minors attempting underage alcohol purchases and merchants enforcing age restrictions. It does not apply to general public identification requests outside of alcohol sales contexts.

Bill results