Budget & Taxes (Revenue)

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 230: make an exception for improvement districts from a limit on revenue growth for purposes of property taxation.

SB 230 creates an exception for "improvement districts" (defined under South Dakota Chapter 7-25A) to the standard 3% annual limit on property tax revenue growth. This allows these districts to collect additional property tax revenue when property values increase due to improvements, annexations, or boundary changes - exceeding the usual cap. The exception specifically applies to revenue generated from property taxes tied to those improvements, not general district taxes. It directly affects improvement districts and property owners within them by enabling higher tax collections during development phases. The bill amends Section 10-13-35 of South Dakota law to clarify this exception for property tax revenue calculations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill removes 3% property tax revenue cap for improvement districts tied to actual property value increases, enabling targeted revenue collection for district improvements within fiscal management framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue

Track

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 212: establish the homeowner tax reduction fund.

SB 212 establishes a new "homeowner tax reduction fund" in the South Dakota state treasury, administered by the Department of Revenue. The fund provides property tax rebates specifically for owner-occupied single-family homes. It is funded through dedicated state revenue (as specified in the bill's text), with interest earning on the fund remaining within it. The fund cannot be transferred to the general state budget, ensuring its dedicated use for homeowner rebates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax rebates for homeowners via dedicated fund, reducing tax burden on owner-occupied homes95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue State Budget

Track

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1317: eliminate a limit on the accumulation of the unused index factor for property taxation.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves 10% annual cap on property tax increases, enabling local governments to collect more revenue without restriction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue

Track

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SJR 504: proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, providing for wagering on sporting events via mobile or electronic platform.

SJR 504 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow South Dakota to authorize mobile and electronic wagering on sporting events. The amendment requires such wagering to be offered only through licensed Deadwood casinos with servers located within Deadwood, and mandates that 90% of tax revenue from these wagers must fund statewide property tax relief or reductions. If approved by voters, this would change the state constitution to permit this new form of betting, which is currently restricted under existing gambling laws. The amendment must be voted on by South Dakota residents at the next general election to take effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 90% tax revenue from mobile wagering fund property tax relief/reductions, directly advancing tax relief for homeowners as a core fiscal policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue

Track

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1089: modify the distributions of revenues collected from severance taxation on new permits.

HB 1089 modifies how South Dakota distributes severance tax revenue from precious metals mining. It changes the rules for permits issued on or after July 1, 2026: 80% of the tax revenue goes to the state general fund, while 20% is sent to the county where mining occurs. Unlike previous rules, this 20% county share cannot be reduced if a mining company is acquired. The bill also maintains that revenue from mining on state-owned land must go to the common school permanent fund. This directly affects new mining permit holders after 2026 and the counties where they operate.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs severance tax revenue to state general fund (80%), counties (20% protected), and common school fund, ensuring specific funding streams for budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates severance tax revenue from state-owned mining land to common school permanent fund, directly funding K-12 education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 109: modify requirements to create a tax increment financing district.

SB 109 modifies South Dakota's rules for creating tax increment financing (TIF) districts, which are areas where increased property tax revenue from development is used to fund improvements. The bill requires that at least 50% of a district's area must be designated as "blighted" (meeting specific criteria like deteriorated structures or unsafe conditions) or serve economic development purposes. It also adds new consent requirements: counties need municipal approval to create districts within city limits, and municipalities need county approval for districts in unincorporated areas. The bill clarifies the definition of "blighted area" to include factors like substandard structures, inadequate infrastructure, or safety hazards. These changes directly affect local governments (municipalities and counties) seeking to establish TIF districts for redevelopment projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesModifies TIF district rules to require 50% blighted areas, promoting responsible fiscal management of tax increment funds for development.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue

Track

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1245: authorize municipalities to establish a local funding mechanism for capital improvement projects.

HB 1245 allows South Dakota municipalities to create a local tax (up to 1% on taxable sales) to fund capital projects like infrastructure repairs, equipment purchases, or building renovations. To implement this, a municipality must form a Capital Improvement Board (with 1 elected official and 4 residents) to review proposals, secure board approval, and then hold a voter referendum requiring 60% support. All tax revenue must be placed in a special fund dedicated exclusively to approved capital projects, with the tax expiring after 60 months or once the targeted revenue amount is met. Municipalities cannot use this tax if they’ve imposed it within the previous 24 months.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes local sales tax (up to 1%) for capital projects, directly funding infrastructure through dedicated fiscal mechanism with voter approval.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes local tax for infrastructure repairs and capital projects, directly funding transportation infrastructure improvements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax

signed · South Dakota · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1088: remove the requirement that counties remit to municipalities an amount equal to the road levy for calendar years 1984, 1985, and 1986.

HB 1088 removes a requirement that South Dakota counties must remit funds to municipalities equal to the road levy amounts distributed to those municipalities for calendar years 1984, 1985, and 1986. This specifically targets a provision in existing law that mandated counties pay municipalities a share of road tax revenue from those three years. The bill repeals Section 10-12-32.1, which previously established that municipalities incorporated after January 1, 1984, were entitled to 25% of county road funds for those historical years. This change eliminates a longstanding financial obligation between counties and municipalities for a specific historical period.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill repeals requirement for counties to remit road levy funds to municipalities, defunding municipal revenue from historical tax distributions (1984-1986).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

signed · South Dakota · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1058: require licensure for online pari-mutuel wagering pools for horse and dog races, and clarify the application of tax therefor.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes 1.5% and 0.25% tax rates on online wagering to fund state treasury and racing programs, creating new revenue streams for budget allocation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 97: adjust a limit on the percentage increase in revenue payable from property taxes.

Senate Bill 97 adjusts property tax revenue limits for South Dakota taxing districts and school districts. For school districts, it changes the annual revenue increase cap from "lesser of 3% or index factor" to a flat 3% over the prior year's revenue, effective 2021. For general taxing districts, it adds a specific 3.5% cap on revenue increases above normal limits for taxes payable in 2027-2031. The bill also clarifies that property improvements to owner-occupied homes increasing value by 40% or less do not count toward the revenue limit. These changes directly affect local governments and school districts managing property tax revenue.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill imposes fixed caps on property tax revenue increases (3% for schools, 3.5% for general districts), restricting revenue growth and limiting fiscal flexibility.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill caps school district revenue increases at 3% flat, restricting potential funding growth vs. previous variable cap (lesser of 3% or index factor).92% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue

Track