Education

signed · South Dakota · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 1003: amend provisions pertaining to the required criminal background investigation of certain school employees.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enhances school safety by mandating background checks for staff, protecting students through stricter vetting requirements for school employees.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · South Dakota · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1098: amend certain provisions pertaining to special education funding.

HB 1098 adjusts South Dakota's special education funding formula by establishing annual per-student funding amounts for six disability levels (e.g., $7,650.45 for "level one" disabilities in 2025) that increase yearly based on inflation (using the Consumer Price Index or 3%, whichever is lower). It also requires school districts to reduce local tax levies if local revenue growth exceeds student need growth statewide. The bill directly affects South Dakota school districts (which receive the funding) and students with disabilities (who qualify for services based on their disability level). Key provisions include standardized funding rates per disability classification and a new $1.26 per $1,000 valuation local levy rate for 2026 and beyond.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes state special education funding formula with annual inflation adjustments and requires local tax levy reductions when revenue growth exceeds need, strengthening public service funding and promoting fiscal responsibility in budget/...95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes inflation-adjusted per-student funding for special education with annual increases, directly strengthening state support for special education programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

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passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 167: amend provisions pertaining to the administration of an academic achievement assessment to students in grade eleven.

SB 167 requires South Dakota school districts to administer annual academic assessments to all 11th-grade students. It adds new provisions allowing each 11th grader, in consultation with a guidance counselor, to select from a state-approved list of assessments that measure academic progress, align with state standards, and accommodate diverse post-graduation pathways. The South Dakota Board of Education must approve these assessments annually by May 1st and provide the approved list to schools. This replaces the previous requirement that all 11th graders take a single mandated test, giving students more choice within state-approved options.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires annual assessments with student choice to align with state standards and post-graduation pathways, enhancing personalized educational options within curriculum framework.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Testing & Assessment

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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

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Higher Education K-12 Education School Choice

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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

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1130: amend permissible uses of a school district's capital outlay fund.

HB 1130 amends South Dakota school districts' capital outlay fund rules to allow new uses. It specifically permits districts to spend these funds on textbooks (§ 13-16-6(5)(b)), instructional software purchases or renewals (§ 13-16-6(6)), and warranties for capital assets (excluding supplies, § 13-16-6(5)(a)). The bill also clarifies that districts may use up to 15% of transportation contracts or mileage reimbursement costs from this fund. Additionally, it allows transferring up to 45% of annual capital fund revenues to the general fund, while maintaining that small purchases ($1,000 or less) must come from the general fund instead. This directly affects South Dakota public school districts managing their capital budgets.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands permissible uses of capital funds for textbooks and instructional software, directly enhancing educational resource access and program support within existing funding framework.95% confidence

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1244: repeal the special donations fund and make an appropriation to the Department of Education for the provision of a grant to support the Jobs for America's Graduates-South Dakota program.

HB 1244 repeals South Dakota’s special donations fund (created under § 13-66-3) and appropriates $500,000 from the general fund to the Department of Education. This grant supports the Jobs for America's Graduates-South Dakota program by providing financial assistance to school districts and accredited nonpublic schools implementing the initiative. The funds must match private donations or federal grants for program operations and cannot be added to an endowment. It directly affects schools participating in the JAG program and transfers existing funds from the repealed special donations fund into the general fund. The bill takes effect June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals special fund and appropriates $500k from general fund to fund education program, directly supporting public service budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $500,000 from general fund to support Jobs for America's Graduates-South Dakota program for school districts and nonpublic schools, directly funding student transition services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

signed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 84: increase thresholds for the value of and eligibility for the partners in education scholarship.

SB 84 increases the income threshold for students to qualify for South Dakota's Partners in Education scholarship program. It raises the initial income requirement from 152% to a higher percentage of the national free/reduced-price lunch income standard (currently 152% for initial eligibility), directly affecting low-income students seeking tuition assistance at participating nonpublic schools. The bill maintains that students who qualify initially remain eligible for three years or until high school graduation without income checks, but must later meet a 250% income threshold to renew. This change expands access to the scholarship program by allowing more households to qualify under the new higher income cap.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands scholarship eligibility, increasing state budget allocation for low-income education assistance by raising income thresholds.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases income threshold for scholarship eligibility, expanding access to low-income students for nonpublic school tuition assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education

in committee · South Dakota · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 174: make an appropriation to defray the operational costs of school districts.

Senate Bill 174 appropriates $5 million from the general fund to the South Dakota Department of Education to help cover school districts' operational costs, such as staffing and supplies. The funds will be distributed directly to school districts based on each district's 2026 fall enrollment relative to the state's total enrollment. Districts must use the funds for day-to-day operational expenses, not capital projects, and any unspent money by June 30, 2027, will revert to the state. This bill affects all public school districts in South Dakota through their 2026 enrollment figures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $5M from general fund to fund school operational costs, directly supporting public education spending within state budget framework.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $5M for school districts' operational costs (staffing/supplies), directly funding day-to-day educational operations per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget School Funding

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