Technology

HB 1298 prohibits publishing a judicial or law enforcement officer's home address, date of birth, or social security number online without their consent if done with the intent to cause fear for the officer's safety or their immediate family's safety. The law applies only to electronic publications and targets individuals who share such sensitive personal information under these specific conditions. Violating this prohibition is classified as a Class 6 felony. The bill directly protects officers by restricting the online dissemination of their personal details that could enable threats or harassment.

HB 1048 appropriates $87 million in federal funds to the Governor's Office of Economic Development for grants expanding broadband infrastructure across South Dakota, primarily benefiting rural and underserved communities lacking reliable internet access. The bill authorizes the office to distribute grants under federal broadband program guidelines, with payments processed through state vouchers and audits. It declares an emergency to expedite implementation, allowing the funding to take effect immediately upon passage. Unspent funds must revert to the state treasury per standard procedures, as specified in Chapter 4-8 of South Dakota law. This is a funding measure focused on infrastructure deployment, not regulatory changes.

SB 135 requires data center operators to pay all electricity costs associated with their facilities, preventing utilities from raising residential rates to cover these expenses (Section 3). It also prohibits tax exemptions for data centers (Section 5) and ensures local governments retain authority to regulate data center development (Section 4). The bill mandates data centers to report projected water usage to local providers and the Board of Water Management before operation, with annual reports on actual consumption (Sections 6-7), ensuring water allocation prioritizes residential and essential services. This directly affects data center operators, utilities, and South Dakota residents by limiting cost-shifting and protecting local resource management.

HB 1280 prohibits drone use for surveillance, recording, or interference at South Dakota state military installations, facilities, aircraft, vehicles, or weapons systems without prior written consent from the facility commander. Violating this prohibition is classified as a Class 6 felony. The bill authorizes law enforcement to intercept or disable such drones using jamming, hacking, or physical capture - excluding firearms - if there is reasonable suspicion of an imminent threat to public safety. Drones used in violations may be forfeited, destroyed, or otherwise disposed of by court order.