SB 222 appropriates $10 million from South Dakota's general fund to the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources for grants supporting water, wastewater, storm water, and nonpoint source pollution projects. It directly affects municipalities and water systems serving residents, with funding calculated as a percentage of project costs based on population: up to 80% for systems serving ≤1,000 people (capped at $9,000/person), 50% for 1,001-2,500 people ($7,000/person), and 30% for >2,500 people ($3,000/person). Projects addressing regionalization, drought resiliency, or environmental compliance may exceed these caps, and engineering studies for long-term water issues can receive up to 100% funding. The bill declares an emergency to expedite funding and requires projects to align with the state water plan.
SB 231 creates a Water Infrastructure Development Fund to support rural water projects in South Dakota. The fund, initially seeded with $3 million from the state general fund (Section 2), provides grants (up to 10% of project costs) and loans (up to 50% of project costs) managed by the Board of Water and Natural Resources (Section 1). It directly affects rural communities needing upgrades to water infrastructure, such as new systems or repairs. The bill declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation upon passage (Section 3).
This South Dakota bill (SB 74) transfers $56,153,769 from the budget reserve fund and $41,874,757 from the general revenue replacement fund directly into the state's general fund. These transfers are intended to support state government operations and public institutions. The bill declares an emergency to allow these fund movements to take effect immediately upon approval, bypassing standard budget procedures. The action affects the state's budget structure by reallocating existing reserves without creating new taxes or spending programs.
HB 1051 revises South Dakota school districts' property tax limits and updates state funding formulas. It sets new maximum tax rates: $4.22 per $1,000 of property value for general funds, $1.13 for agricultural land, and $2.51 for owner-occupied homes, all based on valuations at 85% of market value. The bill also changes how school enrollment is calculated for state aid, clarifying that students in state custody (e.g., foster care) count toward enrollment and adding rules for tuition payments. These changes directly affect all South Dakota public school districts by altering their tax capacity and state funding calculations.
South Dakota's SB 96 allows counties to impose a 0.5% sales tax on taxable goods, digital products, and services (following state sales tax rules). All revenue from this county-level tax must go into a dedicated "property tax reduction fund." The fund is used to reduce property taxes on owner-occupied homes first, then agricultural and other land types, with all reductions applied equally across qualifying properties. Counties must adopt an ordinance to implement the tax and may hold a voter referendum on the proposal.
SB 69 appropriates $5 million from the general fund to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety for purchasing a new Highway Patrol airplane, related mission equipment, and installation. This bill directly affects the Highway Patrol division by funding equipment upgrades for aerial operations. The key mechanism is a specific budget allocation with a requirement that unspent funds revert per state procedures. The bill also declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation upon approval.
HB 1200 appropriates $8 million from South Dakota's general fund to the Department of Public Safety for grants to nonprofit organizations providing specific victim services. It directly supports nonprofits focused on helping children abused or neglected, domestic violence victims, sexual assault victims, or victims of commercial sexual exploitation/trafficking. The bill allows grant funds to cover 24/7 emergency services, counseling, crisis lines, case management, sexual assault nurse examiner training, and child advocacy center services - excluding new programs or legal aid. Nonprofits must apply annually between July 1 and August 31, report on services delivered, and prioritize organizations seeking additional funding. The appropriation becomes effective June 30, 2026.
SB 135 requires data center operators to pay all electricity costs associated with their facilities, preventing utilities from raising residential rates to cover these expenses (Section 3). It also prohibits tax exemptions for data centers (Section 5) and ensures local governments retain authority to regulate data center development (Section 4). The bill mandates data centers to report projected water usage to local providers and the Board of Water Management before operation, with annual reports on actual consumption (Sections 6-7), ensuring water allocation prioritizes residential and essential services. This directly affects data center operators, utilities, and South Dakota residents by limiting cost-shifting and protecting local resource management.
This bill appropriates $5 million from the general fund to provide grants for volunteer fire departments in South Dakota to purchase safety gear (like helmets and suits) for their firefighters. It specifically targets departments where at least 70% of firefighters volunteer, prioritizing those with the greatest equipment needs. The Department of Public Safety will distribute funds based on application timing and need, with unspent funds reverting by June 2030. An emergency declaration allows the funding to take effect immediately upon passage.
SB 228 modifies South Dakota's rules for creating tax increment financing (TIF) districts, which are areas where property tax growth funds redevelopment projects. It updates the requirement that at least 50% of a district's area must be blighted or serve economic development goals (replacing a confusing "25 fifty percent" phrasing), and adds new consent rules: counties need municipal approval to create TIF districts within cities, and municipalities need county approval for districts within counties. These changes directly affect local governments (counties and municipalities) seeking to establish TIF districts for redevelopment. The bill focuses on clarifying eligibility criteria and intergovernmental coordination, not on funding amounts or project specifics.
