Education

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1313: require education in prenatal human growth and development.

This bill requires South Dakota public schools to teach prenatal human growth and development in health or science classes using specific materials. It mandates that schools use resources recommended by the state Board of Education, including at least three minutes of high-definition ultrasound videos showing organ development or computer-generated animations of prenatal growth from fertilization to birth. The law prohibits using any materials from entities that perform, promote, or refer to abortion services. This directly affects K-12 public school curricula in South Dakota, altering required health/science content.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill mandates specific curriculum content and materials, prohibiting alternatives, restricting educational curriculum freedom and academic choices in schools.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1082: establish parameters for the reimbursement of school districts that provide free or reduced-price meals to students.

HB 1082 requires South Dakota school districts to provide free or reduced-price meals to eligible students without charging them, as defined by federal programs (National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program) starting January 1, 2026. The bill mandates that the South Dakota Department of Education reimburse school districts for costs incurred on these meals, after subtracting any federal reimbursement received. This directly affects school districts serving students qualifying for federal meal programs and ensures state funding covers the gap between federal support and actual meal costs. The law amends Section 13-35-2 of South Dakota law to clarify these reimbursement parameters.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates state reimbursement for school meal costs, ensuring continued access to free/reduced meals without district financial burden, directly supporting student access and school funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1017: permit the board of a school district to require that certain students receive instruction in alternative settings.

HB 1017 allows South Dakota school boards to require students exhibiting aggressive or violent behaviors that disrupt school safety or operations to receive instruction in alternative learning environments. This policy directly affects students whose conduct poses a threat to school safety, providing school districts with a formal mechanism to address such disruptions. The bill explicitly states it does not override existing enrollment options under state law or conflict with federal special education protections (IDEA and Section 504). It focuses solely on school safety responses, with no changes to special education eligibility or placement procedures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides school boards a mechanism to address disruptive behavior in alternative settings, protecting school safety and enabling uninterrupted educational environments for all students.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

died · South Dakota · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 1073: provide for the creation of a cardiac emergency plan in every school and to make an appropriation therefor.

HB 1073 requires every public and accredited nonpublic school in South Dakota to create a cardiac emergency response plan. The bill mandates schools to develop these plans with local emergency services, including forming response teams, placing accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in schools and athletic venues, and training staff in CPR and AED use. Schools must conduct annual drills and maintain AEDs, with specific training requirements for coaches, athletic trainers, nurses, and response team members. This law directly affects all South Dakota schools and aims to improve emergency response for heart-related incidents during school activities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly mandates an appropriation for school cardiac emergency programs, funding essential safety infrastructure and training per legislative requirement.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates cardiac emergency plans, AEDs, and staff training in schools, enhancing student safety and school infrastructure within education context.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates cardiac emergency plans, AED access, and staff training in schools, directly improving emergency medical response access for students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

failed · South Dakota · House Feb 24, 2026

HB 1308: reduce certain property taxes for owner-occupied property, and to increase the rates for certain gross receipts taxes and use taxes.

This bill reduces property taxes for homeowners by lowering the mill levy rate on owner-occupied single-family homes from $5.21 to $20.51 per $1,000 of taxable value (with the exact figure clarified in the bill text). It simultaneously raises the state sales tax from 4.2% to 4.7% for 2026-2027 and to 5% after 2027, and expands the gross receipts tax to cover more services like dry cleaning, beauty shops, and rentals. The revenue from these tax increases is explicitly allocated to replace lost school district property tax revenue and fund pay raises for state and school employees. The bill ensures school districts maintain their total funding levels under the new system.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces property taxes for homeowners while raising sales/gross receipts taxes to fund state education, aligning with budget management goals per subjects and revenue allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRevenue from increased sales/gross receipts taxes explicitly allocated to replace lost education funding per subjects and summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

failed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 205: revise registration fees for drones and establish a fund to support drone aviation.

SB 205 revises drone registration fees in South Dakota, charging 1.5% of purchase price for agricultural drones and 2% for all other drones. The collected fees fund a new "drone aviation fund" administered by the Board of Technical Education to support drone training grants at state technical colleges. This bill directly affects drone owners (especially agricultural users) by changing their registration tax rates and creating a dedicated funding source for drone industry workforce development. The fund will receive all drone registration fees and interest, with expenditures requiring annual budget approval. The bill does not apply to small unmanned aircraft systems covered under federal regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRevises drone registration fees (tax) to fund drone training grants, directly allocating tax revenue to support workforce development programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly funds drone training grants at state technical colleges via new aviation fund, supporting higher education workforce development.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates a dedicated fund for drone training grants at technical colleges, directly advancing workforce development in a growing industry and supporting employment standards through skill-building.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds drone training grants for industry workforce development, directly advancing drone technology sector through dedicated fee-based funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

in committee · South Dakota · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1168: provide a property tax credit for the payment of nonpublic school tuition.

HB 1168 creates a property tax credit for South Dakota homeowners who pay for qualifying K-12 education expenses for children aged 5-19. The credit covers tuition, school fees (including sports/fine arts), textbooks, tutoring, test fees, transportation, and educational technology. It limits the credit to $1,000 per year or 80% of the school district taxes owed. Homeowners must apply annually by June 1st with documentation from the school or alternative instruction provider.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax credit reducing burden for K-12 education expenses, offering tax relief to homeowners per bill's tax credit structure.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides property tax credit for K-12 education expenses (tuition, fees, materials), increasing affordability and access for families per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly includes 'educational technology' as a qualifying expense, funding tech use in K-12 education through property tax credits.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track