HB 1203 (South Dakota) exempts active volunteer firefighters from certain motor vehicle license fees. It allows qualifying residents to apply for a fee exemption on one noncommercial vehicle (car, truck, or van) by submitting a fire department chief’s certification confirming their active volunteer status. The exemption must be renewed annually and does not cover excise tax on vehicle purchases or specialty plate costs. This directly affects South Dakota volunteer firefighters seeking to reduce vehicle registration expenses.
SB 167 requires South Dakota school districts to administer annual academic assessments to all 11th-grade students. It adds new provisions allowing each 11th grader, in consultation with a guidance counselor, to select from a state-approved list of assessments that measure academic progress, align with state standards, and accommodate diverse post-graduation pathways. The South Dakota Board of Education must approve these assessments annually by May 1st and provide the approved list to schools. This replaces the previous requirement that all 11th graders take a single mandated test, giving students more choice within state-approved options.
HB 1116 prohibits video streaming services (like Netflix or Disney+) from showing ads about abortion, alcohol, drugs, gambling, gender identity, nicotine, or sexual behavior during programming designed for children under 16. The law defines "children's programming" as content for under-16s and targets streaming services directly, excluding traditional broadcasters. Violations could result in a civil penalty of up to $5,000, collected by the attorney general and deposited into the state general fund. This bill directly affects streaming platforms that offer content for young audiences and changes advertising rules during those programs.
HB 1290 amends South Dakota's education funding law by updating how school districts calculate their fall enrollment for state aid. It specifies that nonresident students in state care (e.g., foster care) must be included in enrollment counts, while students in residential treatment facilities must be excluded. The bill also revises the formula for determining the "teacher ratio factor," setting fixed ratios (12 for districts under 200 students, 15 for districts over 600 students) or a calculation-based ratio for medium-sized districts. These changes directly affect all public school districts in South Dakota receiving state aid for general education.
HB 1291 amends South Dakota's formula for calculating school district funding by changing how "fall enrollment" is determined. It specifically adjusts the count of students in state custody (like foster care) and those receiving tuition from other districts when calculating a district's base funding. The bill also updates the method for calculating "target teacher ratio" based on district size and ties future teacher salary adjustments to the consumer price index (inflation). These changes directly affect how much state funding school districts receive under South Dakota's education finance system.
HB 1283 exempts nonresident active-duty military personnel and their dependents stationed in South Dakota from paying state motor vehicle license fees on one noncommercial vehicle (car, truck, or van). To qualify, applicants must submit military orders showing their nonresident status and active duty stationing in South Dakota along with their vehicle registration. The exemption covers license fees only and must be renewed annually, but it does not apply to specialty license plates or the excise tax paid when purchasing a vehicle. This policy directly affects military members and families temporarily stationed in South Dakota while maintaining their primary residence elsewhere.
SB 94 amends South Dakota's open records law to clarify which records are exempt from public disclosure. It specifically protects student records (excluding basic directory info), medical records (except births/deaths), trade secrets, legal work product, law enforcement investigation details (with exceptions for 911 calls and alcohol/drug tests), property appraisal data, personnel files (excluding salaries), and security plans for buildings, facilities, and gaming commissions. These exemptions ensure sensitive information like cyber security details, vulnerability assessments, and confidential informant data cannot be disclosed under open records requests. The bill directly affects public entities (schools, police, government offices) by defining clearer boundaries for what they may withhold from public access.
SB 140 requires South Dakota correctional facilities to deposit 25% of inmate earnings from prison work into a personal savings account. This savings account cannot be used to pay court fines, fees, or other debts owed by the inmate. Upon release (via parole, suspended sentence, or discharge), the inmate receives the full balance of this savings account. Additionally, any interest earned on these savings must be deposited into the state's crime victims' compensation fund. The bill directly affects incarcerated individuals working in state prisons and modifies how their earnings are handled.
This bill (HB 1228) provides financial support to South Dakota National Guard members who donate an organ for transplantation. It requires the Department of the Military to pay a stipend based on recovery time: 50% of active-duty basic pay for two weeks or less recovery, or 150% for longer recovery, as certified by a doctor. To qualify, members must follow National Guard donation protocols, give one month's notice before surgery, and undergo the procedure at an approved transplant hospital. The stipend is only available if the member does not receive paid leave from their civilian employer for the donation. The bill directly affects National Guard members who choose to donate organs while serving.
HB 1190 establishes the South Dakota-Tribal Consultation Commission to create a formal, ongoing process for state-tribal collaboration. The commission, composed of the Governor, tribal relations secretary, one tribal representative per tribe (appointed by tribes), and two legislators, meets quarterly to review state initiatives and receive tribal input. It requires the Governor to report on state actions affecting tribes and submit annual recommendations to the Governor by December 1st. This bill directly affects South Dakota state agencies and the nine federally recognized tribes by mandating structured consultation on state policies impacting tribal communities.
HB 1024 modifies requirements for ambulance operators in South Dakota by establishing new certification standards. It mandates that ambulance operators must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid driver's license, and meet one of three criteria: be licensed as emergency medical services personnel under Chapter 36-4B, be a law enforcement officer, or complete approved CPR training and a 16-hour emergency vehicle operator course. The bill also requires ambulance services to maintain documentation of these qualifications and provide it to the state upon request. These changes directly affect ambulance operators and ambulance services statewide, updating existing requirements under Chapter 36-4B and related statutes.
HB 1229 requires app stores (manufacturers) and app developers to include specific features for user transparency. Specifically, app stores must list all purchasable goods/services with prices on app pages, and developers must provide an easy-to-access feature allowing users to view those prices and cancel subscriptions. The bill applies to all app stores and developers operating in South Dakota, with requirements deemed "technologically feasible." Violations trigger a 90-day cure period before the attorney general can impose civil penalties up to $1,000 per incident. The law focuses on mandatory disclosure and user control, not on creating new private legal claims.
