South Dakota Bills

introduced · South Dakota · Senate Mar 5, 2025

SC 817: Honoring the life of former legislator and educator Jan Nicolay for her service to this state.

This bill proposes to honor the life and service of former legislator and educator Jan Nicolay. It would likely involve a formal resolution or designation to recognize her contributions to the state. The measure directly affects state legislative records and public acknowledgment of her legacy. No specific policy changes or funding allocations are included in this commemorative measure.

Nicole Uhre-Balk (D) Kevin Jensen (R) Tim Reisch (R) David Kull (R) Eric Emery (D)

introduced · South Dakota · Senate Mar 5, 2025

SC 816: Honoring the life of former United States senator, United States representative, and state legislator Tim Johnson.

This bill honors the life of former United States senator, United States representative, and state legislator Tim Johnson. It likely involves designating a public building, park, or other facility in his name to commemorate his service. The measure is a commemorative resolution that does not create new laws or policies but serves to recognize his contributions to South Dakota.

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 5, 2025

SB 65: provide for the sale of certain real estate located in Pennington County and to provide for the deposit of the proceeds.

SB 65 authorizes the sale of specific real estate located in Pennington County and directs that the proceeds from the sale be deposited into a designated fund. The bill applies to property owned by the county and establishes the process for liquidating these assets. It does not specify the exact properties involved or the purpose of the fund, but rather sets the framework for the transaction and fund management.

passed · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2025

HB 1200: permit merit pay as a component of teacher compensation.

HB 1200 allows school districts in South Dakota to offer merit-based pay as part of teacher compensation packages. This legislation authorizes districts to design and implement programs where teachers receive additional pay based on performance metrics, though it does not mandate such programs. The bill directly affects school district administrators and teachers by providing flexibility in structuring salary incentives. It requires districts to establish clear criteria for evaluating teacher performance before implementing any merit pay system. The measure remains optional for districts, meaning participation is not required under this law.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

passed both · South Dakota · Senate Mar 4, 2025

SB 178: increase a tax on aviation gasoline and jet fuel.

This bill proposes increasing taxes on aviation gasoline and jet fuel in South Dakota. The change directly affects aircraft operators, fuel suppliers, and travelers who purchase fuel for flying. The key provision is a higher tax rate on these specific fuels, which would increase the cost of aviation fuel. This policy change aims to generate additional state revenue but does not include specific details on how the funds will be used.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy

passed · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2025

HB 1176: provide that equine dental maintenance not constitute the practice of veterinary medicine.

This bill clarifies that providing dental care to horses does not count as practicing veterinary medicine in South Dakota. It directly affects equine dentists, farriers, and other professionals who perform routine dental maintenance on horses without being licensed veterinarians. The key provision removes the legal barrier that previously classified equine dental work as veterinary practice, allowing these professionals to continue their services without needing a veterinary license. This change aims to reduce regulatory burdens on equine dental care providers while maintaining the distinction between dental maintenance and medical treatment.

passed · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2025

HB 1115: establish the crime of aggravated criminal entry of a motor vehicle with the intent to steal a firearm or firearm silencer, to make offenders ineligible for presumptive probation, and to provide a penalty therefor.

This bill creates a new criminal offense for entering a motor vehicle with the intent to steal a firearm or firearm silencer. It directly affects individuals who commit this specific type of vehicle burglary involving weapons. The legislation makes offenders ineligible for presumptive probation and establishes specific penalties for this crime. The measure focuses on enhancing penalties for a particular subset of vehicle theft cases rather than changing general theft laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2025

HCR 6010: Encouraging the Executive Board of the Legislative Research Council to establish an interim legislative committee on preserving and protecting the Black Hills of South Dakota.

This bill directs the Executive Board of the Legislative Research Council to create a temporary committee focused on preserving and protecting the Black Hills of South Dakota. The committee would examine issues related to the land and develop recommendations for its conservation. This measure affects state legislative staff and officials who would oversee the committee's work. The bill does not establish new laws but rather sets up a study group to address concerns about the Black Hills.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2025

HB 1095: extend the area in which a director for an irrigation district may reside.

This bill amends South Dakota law to allow directors of irrigation districts to reside outside the district's boundaries, expanding eligibility requirements for board membership. The change directly affects irrigation district governance by permitting individuals who live farther away to serve as directors, potentially broadening the pool of qualified candidates. The provision modifies existing residency rules without altering the core responsibilities or powers of irrigation district directors.

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2025

HB 1042: make an appropriation for the construction of historical exhibits at the Cultural Heritage Center.

This bill allocates state funding to build historical exhibits at the Cultural Heritage Center. The appropriation is intended to support the construction of display areas that showcase South Dakota's history and cultural artifacts. The legislation directly affects the state's cultural institutions by providing financial resources for exhibit development. No specific exhibit content or timeline is mandated by the bill text.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2025

HB 1160: waive the driver license renewal period for members of the military and their families, and employees of the state department.

This bill, HB 1160, would allow members of the military, their families, and state department employees to waive the standard driver license renewal period. Under this provision, these individuals would not need to renew their licenses during the designated grace period typically required for license renewal. The change directly affects service members and state employees who may face difficulties attending to license renewal requirements due to their service or employment obligations. The bill aims to provide administrative flexibility for these specific groups without altering the overall driver licensing system.

Topics ✓ Veterans

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 4, 2025

SB 97: allow the governing body of a municipality to change the use of municipally owned parkland by ordinance.

This bill allows local government bodies in South Dakota to change how municipally owned parkland is used through local ordinances. It directly affects municipalities that currently own parkland and wish to modify its designated purpose. The key provision grants local authorities the legal authority to create rules that alter the use of public park spaces without requiring state-level approval. This change enables communities to adapt parkland usage to meet evolving local needs and priorities.

Bill results