South Dakota Bills | MyRepTracker

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

Tesa Schwans (R) Bobbi Andera (R) Travis Ismay (R) Heather Baxter (R) Jana Hunt (R)

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

died · South Dakota · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1057: prohibit the manufacture, sale, and distribution of any product containing cell-cultured protein, and to provide a penalty therefor.

HB 1057 prohibits the sale, distribution, and manufacture of any food product containing "cell-cultured protein" in South Dakota from July 2026 through June 2036. The bill defines cell-cultured protein as meat-like products made from animal cells grown outside a live animal, excluding items like fermented foods or pharmaceuticals. Violations are classified as Class 2 misdemeanors, and state inspectors can issue stop-sale orders for noncompliant food businesses. Businesses found violating the law may face license suspension or revocation for food service establishments.

died · South Dakota · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1145: clarify provisions related to the licensure of certified social workers in private, independent practice and establish an alternative to the licensure examination.

HB 1145 clarifies licensing requirements for certified social workers practicing privately in South Dakota and creates an experience-based alternative to the standard licensure exam. It allows individuals who failed the exam on or after January 1, 2021, to qualify by providing 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience instead of passing the exam. This experience must occur after obtaining initial certification, be supervised by a qualified social worker or approved mental health professional, and be completed within ten years of applying. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and applies directly to social workers seeking private practice licensure.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · South Dakota · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 95: require that a medical cannabis cardholder provide a card or card number upon request of a law enforcement officer.

SB 95 requires medical cannabis cardholders (both residents and nonresidents) to show their registry card or card number to law enforcement upon request. This provision applies if an officer asks for identification during a lawful interaction. The bill does not change existing protections for medical cannabis use but adds this identification requirement as a condition to avoid arrest under Chapter 23A-3. It directly affects individuals with valid medical cannabis cards who interact with police. The law amends existing statutes (§ 34-20G-2 and § 34-20G-3) to include this requirement.

died · South Dakota · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1159: impose a moratorium on industrial dairy operations.

HB 1159 imposes a moratorium on new or expanded industrial dairy operations exceeding 7,499 cows in South Dakota, blocking permits for such projects after July 1, 2026. Existing permitted dairies can continue operating at their current scale. The moratorium, lasting until June 30, 2028, aims to give the state time to study industrial dairy impacts on the economy and environment, allow counties to update land-use plans (including road agreements and size-based setbacks), and assess watershed resource needs. It directly affects developers seeking to build or expand large-scale dairy farms.

Topics ✓ Environment

died · South Dakota · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1152: require that the secretary of the Department of Education apply to the United States Department of Education for the authority to develop and implement an innovative assessment system.

HB 1152 requires South Dakota's Department of Education to apply to the U.S. Department of Education for authority to create a new assessment system. If approved, the state must develop and implement an assessment model that meets specific federal requirements, including measuring student growth in reading and math, aligning with existing academic standards, using science-based literacy practices, and reinforcing foundational math skills. The bill directly affects South Dakota public schools and the Department of Education, mandating consultation with educators and parents during development. This change would replace current state assessment practices with a federally approved system starting January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education

died · South Dakota · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 123: prohibit the manufacture, sale, and distribution of any product containing cell-cultured protein, and provide a penalty therefor.

SB 123 prohibits the manufacture, sale, and distribution of any food product containing cell-cultured protein within South Dakota. It directly affects food service businesses, restaurants, and mobile food vendors that sell such products. The bill defines "cell-cultured protein" as human food made from animal cells grown outside a live animal, and establishes a Class 2 misdemeanor penalty for violations. Authorities may inspect establishments, issue stop-sale orders, and suspend business licenses for noncompliance. The law aims to ban these products through direct sales restrictions and enforcement mechanisms.

died · South Dakota · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1166: require financial interest statements from members of certain state authorities, boards, and commissions, and to provide a penalty therefor.

HB 1166 requires members of specific South Dakota state authorities, boards, and commissions to annually disclose financial interests by January 31. This includes sources of family income over $2,000, business ownership stakes exceeding 10%, officer roles, state contracts, and real estate generating over $10,000 annually. Failure to file or provide false information results in voting suspension, potential removal by the Governor, or a Class 2 misdemeanor charge. The Secretary of State transmits disclosures to an audit committee for annual review and reporting.

died · South Dakota · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 149: exempt one motor vehicle of a debtor from being taken by legal process.

SB 149 adds a new exemption to South Dakota law, protecting one motor vehicle owned by a debtor from being seized by creditors. The bill specifically exempts a debtor's interest in a single vehicle valued at $5,000 or less after accounting for any existing liens or security interests. This change adds to the existing list of protected property, such as family photos, clothing, and essential household items. The law directly affects debtors facing collection actions who own a single vehicle within the specified value limit.

died · South Dakota · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 1074: provide for compensation to counties for administering tax increment financing districts created by a municipality.

HB 1074 requires counties to be compensated for administrative costs incurred when managing tax increment financing (TIF) districts created by municipalities. Specifically, counties may withhold an amount equal to their actual administration costs from the positive tax increments generated by these districts. The bill amends existing law to mandate that county treasurers deduct these costs before depositing remaining tax increments into the district's special fund. This directly affects counties that administer TIF districts and ensures they are reimbursed for associated expenses from the district's own revenue stream.

failed · South Dakota · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 1087: prohibit the use of paid petition circulators.

HB 1087 prohibits the use of paid petition circulators for initiatives seeking to amend South Dakota's constitution or propose new laws. The bill requires that all petition circulators disclose whether they are volunteers or paid, and if paid, state the exact compensation amount. This disclosure requirement effectively bans paid circulators by making it impossible to circulate petitions without revealing payment details. The bill directly affects petition sponsors and circulators working on constitutional amendment or initiated measure petitions. It amends existing petition filing rules to enforce this prohibition.