South Dakota's Senate Joint Resolution 503 applies to the U.S. Congress to call a convention of states for proposing constitutional amendments. The resolution specifically requests amendments to impose fiscal restraints on federal spending, further limit federal power and jurisdiction, and establish term limits for members of Congress and other federal officials. It includes conditions requiring the convention to be limited to these topics only and ensuring Congress performs only a ministerial role in convening it. This procedural resolution does not create new law but initiates a state-level step toward potential constitutional change under Article V of the U.S. Constitution.
HB 1289 modifies South Dakota's rules for creating tax increment financing (TIF) districts, which local governments use to fund development projects by capturing future tax growth in designated areas. The bill changes the requirement that a district's assessed value plus existing TIF districts cannot exceed 10.5% (previously 50%) of a political subdivision's total taxable property value. It also revises the criteria for designating a TIF district, requiring that either 25% of the district's area be blighted or 50% must stimulate economic development, and adds new consent rules: counties need municipal approval to create a TIF within city limits, and cities need county approval for TIFs spanning county areas. These changes directly affect counties and municipalities seeking to establish TIF districts for economic development projects.
HB 1312 limits annual increases in the assessed value of owner-occupied single-family homes to an inflation-based index, preventing rapid tax hikes for homeowners. It applies only to homes where the owner lives, not rentals or commercial properties. The bill requires full reassessment at market value when a home is sold (capped at sale price), and allows limited value increases for property improvements or changes in use. Taxing districts must maintain revenue levels from 2025 or earlier, adjusted for inflation, to avoid exceeding mill rate limits.
HB 1319 updates tax rules for new or renovated properties in designated areas. It allows county commissioners to use a special formula for up to five years after construction to partially or fully exclude new property value from taxes, but this applies only to specific qualifying properties like new industrial buildings ($30k+ value), affordable housing (meeting income rent limits), or commercial renovations ($30k+ value). The law explicitly excludes properties within tax increment financing districts from this tax relief. After five years, these properties must be taxed at standard rates like other properties. This directly affects developers and property owners building qualifying structures in eligible zones.
HB 1058 requires online betting platforms offering pari-mutuel wagering on horse or dog races to obtain a specific license from South Dakota. It clarifies that both in-state operators (with a physical presence) and out-of-state operators must pay a tax of 1.5% on South Dakota contributions, while multi-jurisdictional hubs pay 0.25% (with portions going to racing and breeding funds). The bill specifies that tax revenue will fund the state, a special racing revolving fund, and a South Dakota-bred racing fund. This applies only to online wagering for authorized horse and dog races, updating existing tax and licensing rules.
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.
South Dakota's SB 12 allows qualifying veterans with certain disabilities (like loss of use of both lower extremities) or their unremarried surviving spouses to request refunds for property taxes paid in the previous four years if they missed the application deadline for an existing property tax exemption. The bill amends tax exemption rules to permit petitions to county commissioners for these refunds, which the commissioners may approve or deny at their discretion. It directly affects veterans and surviving spouses who previously paid taxes they might have qualified to avoid. The refund mechanism applies only to taxes paid in the four years prior to the petition, not future exemptions.
SB 24 creates a new solid black or solid white license plate option for South Dakota residents. It allows owners of eligible vehicles (cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles) with valid licenses to purchase these plates for a $100 annual fee. Of this fee, $25 funds a special revenue account and $75 supports the state highway fund. Personalization is available for an extra $25, and plates can be transferred like existing specialty plates.
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.
