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.
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.
HB 1143 allows students with diabetes to possess and self-administer nasal glucagon (a medication for severe low blood sugar) on school property or at school events. It directly affects students diagnosed with diabetes who require this specific treatment. The bill requires a licensed healthcare provider’s diagnosis, written parent authorization, and a physician’s statement detailing the medication’s purpose, dosage, and administration guidelines to be kept on file at the school. Schools must maintain these documents in the student’s health record or with the school nurse. This change expands existing provisions for asthma and anaphylaxis medications to include nasal glucagon for diabetes management.
SB 223 modifies South Dakota's process for school districts to refer excess tax levies to voter approval. It changes the petition signature requirement from a flat 50 voters to "at least five percent of the registered voters" in the school district. The bill also adjusts notice rules, waiving newspaper publication requirements if the district mails the resolution to all property taxpayers within 20 days. This affects school districts seeking voter input on tax increases and directly impacts local taxpayers who may petition to refer levy decisions.
This bill updates South Dakota's background check requirements for school employees. It requires criminal background investigations for technical college instructors and student teachers during initial hiring, while allowing multi-district employees to use existing checks (within 5 years) if districts share results with written consent. School districts must report terminations due to criminal convictions to the Department of Education within 10 days. The bill exempts event referees from background checks and clarifies that districts may refuse employment for certain serious offenses like sex crimes or violence.
HB 1281 reduces sales and use tax rates on non-prepared food (like groceries) for consumers while increasing tax rates on other items, including certain excise taxes and use taxes. The bill establishes a new fund specifically for school district capital projects, such as building construction or major equipment purchases. It defines "food" to exclude prepared meals (e.g., restaurant takeout), alcohol, tobacco, and candy, ensuring the tax cut applies only to basic grocery items. The policy shifts tax burden from grocery shoppers to other taxable goods and services to finance school infrastructure.
HB 1078 requires South Dakota's Board of Education to amend administrative rules by September 2026 to update high school graduation coursework requirements. The bill mandates specific credit counts: 4 units of language arts (including writing, speech, and American literature), 3 social studies units (U.S. history and government), 3 math units (including Algebra I), 3 science units (including biology), plus required courses in personal finance, fine arts, physical education, health, and electives. It allows substitutions for one science credit using approved advanced computer science or agriculture science courses (but not for biology), and permits up to one fine arts credit through extracurricular activities with documented alignment to state standards. This directly affects all South Dakota public high school students and school districts implementing graduation standards.
HB 1008 requires South Dakota schools to amend administrative rules to allow students to earn high school credit for participation in extracurricular athletics. Specifically, it permits up to one fine arts credit (max 1/4 credit per activity per year) and up to one-half physical education credit (max 1/4 credit per varsity athletic activity per year) through school-sanctioned activities. School districts must document how these activities align with state standards for fine arts and physical education. The amendment must be filed by September 30, 2026, directly affecting South Dakota high school students and school districts.
