HB 1147 appropriates $5 million from the general fund to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture for a single grant to a statewide food distribution organization. This organization must distribute food to all counties across South Dakota, with at least $1.5 million of the grant required to purchase food directly from local South Dakota farmers and producers. The bill mandates annual reports detailing grant spending, types/amounts of food purchased, and distribution to food pantries, to be submitted to the Department of Agriculture until the full grant is expended. The funding becomes effective June 30, 2026, and is intended to support food pantries statewide while prioritizing local agricultural purchases.
HB 1137 allocates $40 million from state funds for the design and construction of a new athletic facility at the University of South Dakota. The facility will include an indoor track, practice areas, seating for 2,000 spectators, and supporting amenities like locker rooms and training spaces. The bill allows for cost adjustments up to 125% of the original estimate to account for inflation or regulatory changes, and declares an emergency to expedite the project. Unspent funds would revert per state procedures, and the project cannot create state debt or liens. The bill directly affects the University of South Dakota's athletic programs and facilities.
HB 1113 establishes a downpayment assistance program for manufactured or mobile home buyers in South Dakota. The program provides zero-interest loans of up to $10,000 per applicant from a $5 million revolving fund in the South Dakota housing infrastructure fund. Eligibility requires household income below 120% of the state median income and purchasing a home meeting federal safety standards and local zoning requirements for single-family residences. Repayments return to the fund to support new loans, with loans secured by a second lien due upon home sale or repayment of the primary mortgage. This directly assists low-to-moderate income residents seeking to purchase qualifying manufactured or mobile homes.
HB 1251 creates two new state funds: the "target teacher salary supplement fund" (administered by the Department of Education) and the "community-based providers methodology supplement fund" (administered by the Department of Human Services). The bill directs that unspent state funds from the previous fiscal year - after a portion is placed in a budget reserve - be split equally (30% each) into these two new funds. These funds will directly support increases in teacher salaries and provider rates for community-based services, as specified in existing law. The transfers occur automatically each year through the state's budget process, with expenditures requiring annual legislative approval.
HB 1123 establishes a pilot program in South Dakota to provide monthly benefits for menstrual hygiene products and diapers to individuals receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Specifically, it allocates $14 per month for TANF participants aged 18-50 who experience menstruation and $30 per month for diapers for children under three in their care. Benefits will be distributed via existing TANF electronic benefit cards, with funds restricted to approved products and unspent amounts carried over monthly. The program, funded by a $2.5 million appropriation, requires a legislative evaluation report by September 2027 and expires June 30, 2027.
HB 1098 adjusts South Dakota's special education funding formula by establishing annual per-student funding amounts for six disability levels (e.g., $7,650.45 for "level one" disabilities in 2025) that increase yearly based on inflation (using the Consumer Price Index or 3%, whichever is lower). It also requires school districts to reduce local tax levies if local revenue growth exceeds student need growth statewide. The bill directly affects South Dakota school districts (which receive the funding) and students with disabilities (who qualify for services based on their disability level). Key provisions include standardized funding rates per disability classification and a new $1.26 per $1,000 valuation local levy rate for 2026 and beyond.
HB 1317 removes a 10% annual cap on how much South Dakota counties and municipalities can increase property taxes using accumulated unused index factors. Currently, local governments could only raise taxes based on these factors up to the prior three years' total or 10%, whichever was lower. The bill eliminates the 10% limit, allowing them to use all accumulated unused index factors from prior years without this restriction. This directly affects local governments' ability to adjust property tax revenue annually. The change modifies how county auditors calculate annual tax revenue limits under state law.
HB 1072 allocates $20.6 million in state and federal funds to provide South Dakota state employees with a payment equal to 1.5% of their January 1, 2026 salary. Starting July 1, 2026, each active state employee as of that date will receive this amount monthly in 12 equal installments. The payment applies only to employees still working at the time of each monthly disbursement, meaning no payments are made to those who left state employment before a payment date. The funds must be expended by June 30, 2027, with unused amounts reverting to the state.
HB 1047 appropriates $8 million total ($3.5 million in federal funds and $4.5 million in other funds) to construct, renovate, and modernize infrastructure at the Blue Dog State Fish Hatchery. The funds cover facilities like heating, plumbing, laboratories, and equipment to support the hatchery’s operations. The bill declares an emergency to expedite the project, allowing immediate use of funds without standard delay procedures. It directs the Department of Game, Fish and Parks to manage the work and outlines payment processes for the project.
HB 1021 authorizes South Dakota's Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources to dismantle and demolish specific structures at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron, including barns at Livestock Avenue and Market Street and Quonset huts on Lincoln Avenue South. The bill appropriates $337,000 for this work and allows the department to accept additional funding from federal sources or donations. It declares an emergency to expedite the demolition, repair infrastructure, and clear the land, with all funds restricted to these specific projects. The measure directly affects the physical property of the fairgrounds, not broader public policy.
