South Dakota Bills

passed · South Dakota · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 103: address the assumption of risk by an individual present at a shooting range.

SB 103 states that individuals present at shooting ranges assume all inherent risks that are obvious, including injuries from noise, discharges, equipment malfunctions (not owned by the range), terrain variations, weather conditions, or natural obstacles like rocks or debris. It directly affects anyone visiting public or private shooting ranges, including those operated by law enforcement. The bill defines "shooting range" broadly to cover all facilities using firearms or archery for activities like skeet or trap shooting. This legal assumption of risk limits liability for range operators regarding these specific, inherent dangers.

Kevin Jensen (R) Heather Baxter (R) John Carley (R) Jana Hunt (R) Greg Blanc (R)

passed · South Dakota · House Jan 29, 2026

HB 1100: revise provisions relating to the use of the livestock disease emergency fund.

HB 1100 revises how South Dakota's livestock disease emergency fund is managed. It specifies that the fund - funded by 10% of livestock auction fees - can only be used for disease control during a Governor-declared emergency, directly affecting livestock producers and the Animal Industry Board. The bill repeals a previous provision allowing excess funds ($200,000+) to support out-of-state veterinary school grants, restricting all fund use to emergency disease response. Key changes include clarifying the Governor's authority to authorize fund spending and requiring annual appropriations for expenditures. This eliminates non-emergency uses of the fund while maintaining its core purpose for livestock health emergencies.

passed · South Dakota · House Jan 29, 2026

HB 1079: revise the conditions for denial or restriction of a motor vehicle or motorcycle operator license or permit if an individual has a medical condition that can be controlled under the care of a physician.

HB 1079 revises South Dakota's rules for issuing driver's licenses to people with medical conditions that could affect driving safety. It allows the Department of Public Safety to issue a temporary license to applicants with a physician-diagnosed, medication-controlled condition (like epilepsy or heart issues), provided they confirm ongoing medication use and physician care. This temporary license requires six-month reviews and replaces the previous requirement of a 12-month seizure-free period for those with controlled conditions. The bill directly affects drivers managing treatable health issues that could impair safe operation of a vehicle.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · South Dakota · House Jan 29, 2026

HB 1110: amend provisions relating to an individual's status as a voter for municipal or school district elections.

HB 1110 amends South Dakota voter residency rules for municipal and school district elections. It requires voters to reside in the municipality or school district for at least 30 consecutive days each year, with exceptions for full-time students who previously resided there and active-duty military members with a home of record in the area. The bill specifies that residency qualifications can only be challenged through a defined legal process (§ 12-18-10), and elections cannot be contested if non-residents voted without proper challenge. This bill directly affects local voters in South Dakota communities and takes effect December 1, 2026.

signed · South Dakota · House Jan 29, 2026

HB 1044: make an appropriation to implement the rural health transformation program, and to declare an emergency.

This bill appropriates $500 million in federal funds to the South Dakota Department of Health to implement the rural health transformation program, authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Pub. L. No. 119-21). It directly affects rural healthcare providers and facilities by funding program implementation. Key provisions include requiring the health secretary to approve vouchers for payments and mandating unspent funds by June 30, 2031, to revert per state law. The bill also declares an emergency to expedite its implementation upon passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

failed · South Dakota · House Jan 29, 2026

HJR 5002: proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, repealing the requirement to provide expanded medicaid.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to remove South Dakota's legal requirement to provide expanded Medicaid coverage. It specifically targets Section 10 of Article XXI, which currently mandates that the state provide Medicaid benefits to adults aged 18-65 with incomes at or below 133% of the federal poverty level. If approved by voters, the amendment would eliminate this constitutional obligation, allowing the state to potentially modify or discontinue the expanded eligibility rules. The change directly affects low-income South Dakota adults who currently qualify under the existing Medicaid expansion.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

passed · South Dakota · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SCR 602: celebrating the sister-state relationship with Taiwan.

This ceremonial resolution (SCR 602) celebrates South Dakota's 42-year sister-state relationship with Taiwan, established in 1984. It highlights specific trade ties, including a 2025 agricultural mission visit and a wheat purchase agreement between South Dakota and Taiwan. The resolution expresses support for strengthening trade relations, academic exchanges, the U.S.-Taiwan tax agreement, and Taiwan's participation in international organizations. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the partnership.

passed · South Dakota · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SCR 603: supporting the secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture in establishing a working group of nutrition experts to determine national standards for foods and beverages purchased with supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits.

South Dakota's Senate Concurrent Resolution 603 supports the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in establishing a federal working group of nutrition experts to develop evidence-based national standards for foods and beverages that can be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The resolution does not create new law but urges Congress to pass legislation implementing the working group’s recommendations, which would align SNAP purchasing rules with current nutrition science and dietary guidelines. It directly affects the federal SNAP program, which provides food assistance to millions of low-income Americans, including South Dakota residents. The resolution emphasizes that national standards require federal action to ensure consistency, avoid state administrative costs, and prevent future policy reversals. This is a supportive measure for federal policy development, not a direct change to SNAP benefits or eligibility.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · South Dakota · House Jan 29, 2026

HB 1158: revise provisions pertaining to requirements for students receiving alternative instruction.

HB 1158 revises South Dakota's requirements for students receiving alternative instruction (such as homeschooling). It requires these students to take state-mandated academic assessments if they are "partially enrolled" in a public school district (at least 50% of school hours), removing a previous exemption. The bill also adds specific deadlines: parents must file notification of alternative instruction within 30 days of starting it or changing districts, and annually by September 1st until the child graduates or fully enrolls in school. This directly affects homeschooling families and parents choosing alternative education within a public school district's boundaries.

Topics ✗ Education

passed both · South Dakota · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SCR 604: urging the people of the state of South Dakota to seek the Lord Most High for His healing presence and mercy upon South Dakota.

This is a symbolic concurrent resolution (not a bill with enforceable provisions), introduced by Senator Voita. It urges South Dakotans to observe July as a time of prayer and fasting to seek divine healing and mercy for the state, referencing Judeo-Christian values and historical religious appeals. The resolution does not create new laws, alter policies, or impose requirements on citizens or government. It is purely a ceremonial expression of religious sentiment, based on the state's constitutional motto ("Under God, the People Rule") and historical references to faith in governance.

introduced · South Dakota · House Jan 29, 2026

HC 8004: celebrating the St. Mary’s Cardinals as the 2025 Class 9B state football champions.

This resolution (HC 8004) is a symbolic honor recognizing the St. Mary’s High School Cardinals football team for winning the 2025 Class 9B state championship. It commemorates their undefeated season, including a 54-6 victory over Avon, and highlights individual player awards and team leadership. The bill contains no policy changes or funding provisions - it solely serves to formally celebrate the team’s achievement through a legislative resolution.

introduced · South Dakota · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SC 802: celebrating and honoring Tabor Czech Days annual festivities on the occasion of its seventy-seventh anniversary.

This bill (SC 802) is a ceremonial resolution recognizing the 77th anniversary of Tabor Czech Days, an annual cultural festival in Tabor, South Dakota, scheduled for June 18-20, 2026. It formally honors the event and the Czech immigrant heritage it celebrates, highlighting traditions like music, food, museums, and community activities. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it simply offers official state recognition through the legislature. It directly acknowledges the festival’s cultural significance to South Dakota’s Czech community and its annual events.

Bill results