Environment

introduced · South Dakota · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SC 831: recognizing the historical significance of the buffalo and celebrating their return to tribal lands in this state.

This bill is a legislative commemoration that recognizes the historical significance of the buffalo to Native American tribes in South Dakota and celebrates their return to tribal lands. It acknowledges the near extinction of buffalo in the 19th century and highlights the current efforts by tribal nations, conservation groups, and community partners to restore the species. The resolution emphasizes the cultural, spiritual, and ecological importance of buffalo restoration for future generations. This type of bill does not create new laws or regulations but serves to formally acknowledge and honor a significant cultural and environmental milestone.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill celebrates buffalo restoration efforts which are ecological conservation activities that protect natural resources and biodiversity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1265: authorize the salvage of certain bird eggs.

HB 1265 creates an "Avian Special Purpose Salvage Permit" allowing landowners or farmers to legally salvage, incubate, and release eggs from non-migratory bird nests accidentally destroyed during normal agricultural or lawful activities. The permit, valid annually until December 31, requires a $10 fee and authorizes three specific actions: salvaging eggs, incubating them, and banding/releasing the birds at an appropriate developmental stage. The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission will establish rules for release criteria, documentation, and the permit process. This bill directly affects landowners whose operations unintentionally disturb non-migratory bird nests, providing a legal pathway to salvage eggs instead of facing misdemeanor charges under existing law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes salvaging and releasing bird eggs to conserve populations affected by agricultural activities, aligning with Game/Fish/Parks conservation subjects.85% confidence

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 231: create the water infrastructure development fund, to provide an appropriation, to provide for the awarding of grants and loans from the fund for certain rural water projects and to declare an emergency.

SB 231 creates a Water Infrastructure Development Fund to support rural water projects in South Dakota. The fund, initially seeded with $3 million from the state general fund (Section 2), provides grants (up to 10% of project costs) and loans (up to 50% of project costs) managed by the Board of Water and Natural Resources (Section 1). It directly affects rural communities needing upgrades to water infrastructure, such as new systems or repairs. The bill declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation upon passage (Section 3).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $3M Water Infrastructure Fund via state appropriation for rural water projects, advancing public service funding through direct budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds water infrastructure upgrades, directly supporting water quality and management per bill's purpose and subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1318: prohibit natural asset companies.

HB 1318 prohibits South Dakota from engaging with or investing in "natural asset companies," defined as for-profit entities that manage ecological resources like soil, biodiversity, or water quality for financial gain. The bill bans state contracts, investments, and bonds involving these companies, prohibits them from operating in the state, and voids any contracts entered after July 1, 2026. It also requires the Secretary of State to revoke business licenses for such companies and prevents natural assets (e.g., land, water rights) from being transferred to them. The law applies broadly to corporations and LLCs classified as natural asset companies but excludes state retirement systems and investment councils.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts state investments in natural asset companies, limiting fiscal spending on such entities per Custody and Investment of State Funds subject.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans state investment in for-profit entities managing ecological resources for profit, preventing commodification of nature and aligning with environmental protection.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 1271: prohibit weather and climate modification activities and provide a penalty therefor.

HB 1271 prohibits the intentional release of specific chemicals (like aluminum barium, sulfur dioxide, or PFAS-containing chaff) into the atmosphere for weather modification, directly affecting operators of equipment used for such activities. It establishes a $100,000 minimum civil penalty per violation (plus $10,000 daily for ongoing violations) and creates a dedicated monitoring fund to cover enforcement costs. The bill requires airports to report aircraft equipped with weather-modification devices (excluding standard agricultural sprayers) to the Department of Transportation, which forwards reports to the Agriculture Department for investigation. Key mechanisms include online violation reporting, departmental investigation rules, and airport compliance reporting starting July 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits intentional release of environmental pollutants (PFAS, sulfur dioxide) and establishes penalties to protect air quality, aligning with environmental protection indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

Track

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1299: permit the use of biological filtration systems in water recreational facilities located in certain lodging establishments.

HB 1299 allows small lodging establishments (with 15 or fewer sleeping rooms) to apply for a permit to use biological filtration systems in their water recreational facilities, such as pools or spas. These systems filter water naturally using plants, beneficial bacteria, and microbes - without relying on continuous chemical disinfectants - to meet public health and safety standards. To obtain a permit, establishments must submit proof the system meets water quality requirements, pay a $50 fee, and undergo annual department inspections. If an inspection fails, the permit is revoked, and reapplication is barred for one year. The bill requires the department to establish rules for applications, maintenance, and testing procedures.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReduces chemical disinfectant use in water facilities, lowering pollution from synthetic chemicals while meeting public health standards.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures water quality meets public health standards via natural filtration, supporting public health safety in recreational facilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality Public Health

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 222: make an appropriation for eligible water, wastewater, storm water, and riparian buffer initiative projects and to declare an emergency.

SB 222 appropriates $10 million from South Dakota's general fund to the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources for grants supporting water, wastewater, storm water, and nonpoint source pollution projects. It directly affects municipalities and water systems serving residents, with funding calculated as a percentage of project costs based on population: up to 80% for systems serving ≤1,000 people (capped at $9,000/person), 50% for 1,001-2,500 people ($7,000/person), and 30% for >2,500 people ($3,000/person). Projects addressing regionalization, drought resiliency, or environmental compliance may exceed these caps, and engineering studies for long-term water issues can receive up to 100% funding. The bill declares an emergency to expedite funding and requires projects to align with the state water plan.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $10M from general fund for water infrastructure grants, directly increasing state budget allocation for public services per budget topic definition.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds pollution control (nonpoint source) and water management projects via grants, directly advancing environmental protection through riparian buffers and wastewater initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Water Quality

in committee · South Dakota · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 1103: require that annual withdrawal of groundwater from any groundwater source may not exceed the annual recharge of water to the groundwater source.

HB 1103 requires that any annual withdrawal of groundwater from a source cannot exceed the natural annual recharge rate of that source. The bill amends groundwater appropriation rules to prohibit approving new water rights if withdrawal would exceed recharge, based on available data. It directly affects applicants seeking groundwater rights, including agricultural users, municipalities, and industries. An exception allows withdrawals exceeding recharge for older groundwater formations used by public water systems.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates groundwater withdrawal not exceed natural recharge, directly conserving water resources and preventing aquifer depletion per water management regulations.95% confidence

Track

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 128: update provisions related to certain large-use customers of utilities.

SB 128 requires data centers (defined as facilities managing electronic data) to notify local water providers about projected water use and implement closed-loop cooling systems that limit net water withdrawal. It prohibits these facilities from exceeding water usage limits after residential and essential public services are allocated, and mandates reduced use during declared water shortages. Data centers must submit quarterly public reports detailing water usage and compliance. The bill directly affects large data center operators in South Dakota, focusing on sustainable water management for this growing sector.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates closed-loop cooling and limits water withdrawal to conserve resources during shortages, directly protecting water resources and reducing environmental strain.95% confidence

Track

died · South Dakota · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1159: impose a moratorium on industrial dairy operations.

HB 1159 imposes a moratorium on new or expanded industrial dairy operations exceeding 7,499 cows in South Dakota, blocking permits for such projects after July 1, 2026. Existing permitted dairies can continue operating at their current scale. The moratorium, lasting until June 30, 2028, aims to give the state time to study industrial dairy impacts on the economy and environment, allow counties to update land-use plans (including road agreements and size-based setbacks), and assess watershed resource needs. It directly affects developers seeking to build or expand large-scale dairy farms.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMoratorium on large dairy expansions to study environmental impacts, preventing potential pollution and resource strain from industrial operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track