Education

died · South Dakota · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1152: require that the secretary of the Department of Education apply to the United States Department of Education for the authority to develop and implement an innovative assessment system.

HB 1152 requires South Dakota's Department of Education to apply to the U.S. Department of Education for authority to create a new assessment system. If approved, the state must develop and implement an assessment model that meets specific federal requirements, including measuring student growth in reading and math, aligning with existing academic standards, using science-based literacy practices, and reinforcing foundational math skills. The bill directly affects South Dakota public schools and the Department of Education, mandating consultation with educators and parents during development. This change would replace current state assessment practices with a federally approved system starting January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates development of evidence-based assessment system aligned with academic standards, enhancing educational quality metrics per federal requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Testing & Assessment

Track

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

Sub-Topics Appropriations

Track

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 1239: require that the Department of Education provide for the compensation of a teacher employed by a school district.

HB 1239 requires South Dakota's Department of Education to pay the full salary and benefits for all teachers employed by public school districts, replacing the previous system where districts covered these costs. The bill establishes a state-mandated salary schedule that must include increases based on a teacher's certification demand, highest degree, and years of experience, with benefits set at a minimum of 29% of salary. It also limits school districts from exceeding a target teacher ratio factor (calculated by enrollment size) without state approval. This directly affects all South Dakota public school districts and their teaching staff by shifting funding responsibility to the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state funding for teacher salaries/benefits, shifting costs from districts to state budget, increasing state expenditure on education.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates state funding for full teacher salaries/benefits with structured raises, directly increasing educator compensation and stability.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates state-funded teacher salaries/benefits (29% min), establishes state-mandated salary schedule with experience/certification increases, directly advancing teacher compensation and job security.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Teachers Professional Licensing

Track

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

Sub-Topics Student Health

in committee · South Dakota · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 1204: create the South Dakota school construction fund, provide for the transfer of moneys to the fund, and make an appropriation therefor.

HB 1204 creates the South Dakota school construction fund, administered by the Department of Education, to provide zero-interest loans to school districts for building or expanding school facilities. Loans cover up to 40% of a project's cost, with repayment over 20 years at 0% interest and no collateral required. Funds are allocated 30% to districts with 4,000+ students and 70% to other districts, beginning with a $1 transfer from the general fund (replenished by loan repayments). The bill also establishes reporting requirements for the Department of Education to a legislative committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates sustainable school construction fund with zero-interest loans, funding essential education infrastructure without new taxes or immediate budget strain.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates zero-interest loans for school construction, funding infrastructure improvements directly supporting K-12 facilities per education needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget School Funding

Track

passed · South Dakota · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1078: direct the amendment of the Administrative Rules of South Dakota regarding the coursework required for high school graduation.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates specific graduation coursework requirements including core subjects and personal finance, strengthening curriculum standards and student preparedness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

Track

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 116: make an appropriation for the design and construction of an indoor athletics facility at Dakota State University and to declare an emergency.

SB 116 appropriates $13.33 million for the design and construction of an indoor athletic facility at Dakota State University's Beacom PREMIER Complex in Madison. It directly affects Dakota State University's athletic programs and campus infrastructure. The bill authorizes the Board of Regents to use the funds for the project, including related services like utilities and landscaping, and allows adjustments for inflation (capped at 125% of the original estimate). It also permits accepting additional funds from federal sources or donations into a dedicated project fund, while declaring an emergency to expedite the funding. The facility will support athletic practice and competition, with no state liability for related expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $13.33M for university facility construction, directly allocating state budget funds under public construction and higher education subjects.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds athletic facility construction at Dakota State University (higher education), directly supporting campus infrastructure under education topic's infrastructure focus.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1051: revise property tax levies for school districts and to revise the state aid to general and special education formulas.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesSets maximum property tax rates for school districts, promoting fiscal responsibility in education funding through defined tax caps and revised state aid formulas.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRevises property tax levies and state aid formulas to adjust school district funding mechanisms, explicitly updating state aid calculations for general and special education funding.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Higher Education School Funding Special Education

passed · South Dakota · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1008: direct the amendment of the Administrative Rules of South Dakota regarding the awarding of high school credit for participation in extracurricular athletics.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows credit for athletics in fine arts/PE, expanding student program options and aligning with state standards to enhance educational access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

Track

in committee · South Dakota · House Mar 2, 2026

HB 1202: authorize the construction of a trades center on the campus of Lake Area Technical College, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.

This bill appropriates $5.2 million from the state general fund to construct a trades center at Lake Area Technical College, providing new classrooms, labs, and student services for technical training programs. The college must secure matching funds from non-state sources (gifts, grants, etc.) equal to the state appropriation before the funds are released. The legislature declared an emergency to expedite the project, which will not use bonds for completion and requires approval of expenditures by the Department of Education and state auditor. The center directly affects students and staff at Lake Area Technical College by expanding hands-on training facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $5.2M from state general fund for public college infrastructure, directly funding higher education through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $5.2M for new technical training facilities at Lake Area Technical College, directly funding higher education infrastructure and program expansion per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Audits & Accountability State Budget Career & Technical Education Higher Education

Track