Housing

passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 209: authorize the creation of land banks.

SB 209 authorizes local governments in South Dakota (like counties or municipalities) to create nonprofit "land banks" to address abandoned, blighted, or vacant properties. These land banks, established through a local ordinance, can acquire, manage, and develop such properties to return them to productive use - such as through redevelopment, sale, or lease. Key mechanisms include allowing land banks to sue, borrow funds, handle foreclosures, collect rent, and partner with other entities. The bill provides a clear legal framework for creating these entities but does not mandate their use or specify which properties qualify beyond the defined categories.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes land banks to redevelop vacant/blighted properties into productive housing, directly increasing housing stock and addressing blight per bill's purpose.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Renters

Track

passed · South Dakota · House Mar 2, 2026

HB 1261: provide a tax credit for owner-occupied property, to make an appropriation therefor, and to transfer moneys to the general fund.

HB 1261 provides a property tax credit for homeowners of single-family residences in South Dakota, reducing their 2027 property tax bills by up to $500 or the full tax amount owed, whichever is lower. The credit applies automatically to tax bills sent by county treasurers for owner-occupied homes. To fund the credit, $120 million is reallocated from the housing infrastructure fund ($60 million) and the general fund/budget reserve ($60 million each), with the state treasurer transferring funds to cover the revenue loss. This policy directly affects single-family homeowners paying property taxes in 2027, while the funding mechanism ensures no new state revenue is required.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax credit for homeowners, reducing tax burden via budget reallocation from housing and general funds, aligning with tax relief and fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides property tax credit for homeowners, directly supporting property rights as defined in the housing topic.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax State Budget Tax Credits Homeownership Housing Finance Property Taxes

Track

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1319: update provisions related to tax increment financing districts.

HB 1319 updates tax rules for new or renovated properties in designated areas. It allows county commissioners to use a special formula for up to five years after construction to partially or fully exclude new property value from taxes, but this applies only to specific qualifying properties like new industrial buildings ($30k+ value), affordable housing (meeting income rent limits), or commercial renovations ($30k+ value). The law explicitly excludes properties within tax increment financing districts from this tax relief. After five years, these properties must be taxed at standard rates like other properties. This directly affects developers and property owners building qualifying structures in eligible zones.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax exclusions for affordable housing and qualifying commercial/industrial properties, reducing tax burden for development while promoting housing affordability.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly includes affordable housing as qualifying for tax exclusions, incentivizing development through tax benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Property Taxes Renters

Track

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 1231: clarify documentation requirements for assistance animals in rental dwelling units.

HB 1231 clarifies documentation requirements for renters with disabilities who need assistance animals (including emotional support, service, or therapy animals) in rental housing. Landlords may only request documentation confirming the tenant’s disability and need for the animal, issued by a licensed health provider within the past year (unless the disability is obvious or permanent). The documentation must include the provider’s license details, be based on a personal assessment, and cannot be required if the disability or need is already apparent. This bill directly affects renters with disabilities and landlords, while exempting small owner-occupied buildings (4 units or fewer) and single-family homes sold without agents. Violating these rules by providing false documentation may lead to eviction or a $1,000 fee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires licensed health provider documentation for assistance animals, protecting mental health accommodations and patient rights in housing by limiting unreasonable documentation requests.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies documentation requirements to protect tenants with disabilities from unreasonable landlord demands, strengthening tenant rights in housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights Tags People with Disabilities

Track

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 204: revise certain criteria for loans from the South Dakota housing infrastructure fund.

SB 204 revises loan criteria for the South Dakota Housing Infrastructure Fund. It changes the fund's distribution to allocate 50% of monies to housing infrastructure in municipalities with populations over 50,000 (previously 30%) and 50% to other areas (previously 70%). The bill also increases the maximum loan amount from one-third to one-half of a housing infrastructure project's total cost and allows up to 1% of the loan principal to cover administrative expenses. This directly affects municipalities, housing developers, and projects seeking infrastructure loans under the fund.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases max loan to 50% of project cost, expanding funding access for housing infrastructure development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 1014: modify the surcharge for a responding party in a forcible entry and detainer action.

HB 1014 modifies a $25 surcharge that typically applies when a defendant responds to a landlord-tenant lawsuit (forcible entry and detainer action) in South Dakota circuit court. The bill specifically removes this fee requirement for cases involving: (1) government entities (state, county, city, school district), or (2) defendants receiving assistance benefits under Title 28. This change ensures these groups and individuals are exempt from the surcharge, streamlining access to court for vulnerable populations and public entities in housing disputes. The bill does not alter the underlying legal process but adjusts fee collection rules for specific parties.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves $25 court surcharge for tenants on assistance (Title 28), reducing financial barriers to legal defense in landlord-tenant cases, strengthening tenant protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords

died · South Dakota · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 1178: establish provisions for homeownership through shared equity agreements.

HB 1178 establishes a legal framework for shared equity homeownership in South Dakota. It allows investors to contribute up to 30% of a home's purchase price toward a buyer's down payment and mortgage, in exchange for a shared ownership interest recorded with the county. The agreement requires the homebuyer (occupant-owner) to maintain a fixed-rate mortgage, cover all maintenance/taxes, and retain full title during the agreement's term (up to 15 years), with the option to buy out the investor early. Upon termination (e.g., mortgage maturity, home sale, or buyer buyout), the home is appraised to determine repayment to the investor based on current market value. This directly affects homebuyers seeking financial assistance and investors providing capital for eligible single-family residences.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates shared equity homeownership framework, reducing down payment barriers (30% investor contribution) to increase affordable housing access and enable homeownership.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Housing Finance Mortgages

Track

failed · South Dakota · House Feb 24, 2026

HB 1113: establish a manufactured housing downpayment assistance program.

HB 1113 establishes a downpayment assistance program for manufactured or mobile home buyers in South Dakota. The program provides zero-interest loans of up to $10,000 per applicant from a $5 million revolving fund in the South Dakota housing infrastructure fund. Eligibility requires household income below 120% of the state median income and purchasing a home meeting federal safety standards and local zoning requirements for single-family residences. Repayments return to the fund to support new loans, with loans secured by a second lien due upon home sale or repayment of the primary mortgage. This directly assists low-to-moderate income residents seeking to purchase qualifying manufactured or mobile homes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5M state fund for housing downpayment assistance, funding essential housing program through revolving loan mechanism.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides downpayment assistance for manufactured housing buyers via zero-interest loans, targeting low-income households to increase affordable housing access through state funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

Track

passed · South Dakota · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 1036: limit annual valuation increases on owner-occupied single-family dwellings and nonagricultural property.

HB 1036 would limit annual property tax increases for South Dakota homeowners of single-family residences and nonagricultural property to a maximum of 3% per year. This affects most residential homeowners and nonfarm property owners by capping how much their assessed tax value can rise annually, unless specific exceptions apply. The cap does not apply if ownership changes, the property's use changes, or major additions (increasing value over 40%) are made, but minor renovations or expansions under 40% value increase are excluded. This policy aims to provide stability in property tax assessments for qualifying properties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCaps annual property tax increases at 3% for homeowners, providing direct tax relief and aligning with support indicators for middle-income tax relief.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCapping property tax increases at 3% reduces costs for homeowners, directly supporting housing affordability for owner-occupied properties.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Homeownership Property Taxes

Track

signed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 4: revise procedures for returning and withholding security deposits for residential premises.

SB 4 revises South Dakota's rules for security deposits in rental housing, directly affecting landlords and tenants. It requires landlords to return full deposits within 21 days of lease end or provide a written explanation for withholding, limited to unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear, or costs to restore the property. Landlords must also give tenants an itemized accounting of withheld amounts within 45 days of request. Failure to comply results in forfeiting all rights to withhold the deposit and potential $200 punitive damages for bad-faith retention.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by mandating timely deposit refunds, prohibiting arbitrary withholding, and requiring itemized accounting for withheld funds.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights