Technology

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1048: make an appropriation for the expansion of broadband infrastructure and to declare an emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates $87M for broadband infrastructure expansion in rural/underserved areas, directly advancing internet access - a key technology policy area.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Technology

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 44: establish investigative subpoena authority to gather business records in certain investigations.

SB 44 allows South Dakota's Attorney General to obtain business records from internet and telecom providers during criminal investigations of internet crimes against children or human trafficking. It requires judicial approval based on "reasonable cause" before issuing subpoenas for specific records like IP addresses, account details, and device information. Hughes County judges have statewide authority to approve these subpoenas, which cannot notify account holders, and obtained records must be used solely for law enforcement with privacy safeguards. The bill directly affects providers (including internet and telecom companies) by mandating compliance with court-ordered requests for targeted data.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSB 44 provides law enforcement with subpoena authority for business records in serious crimes (internet crimes against children, human trafficking), enhancing investigative capabilities within the criminal justice system.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill enables law enforcement to access user data without notice, weakening privacy protections for individuals in criminal investigations.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Technology

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 135: protect residents from increased utility costs and utility shortages caused by data centers and clarify authority to regulate data centers.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProhibits tax exemptions for data centers (Section 5), closing a tax loophole and increasing state revenue, aligning with fiscal responsibility and budget management.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPrevents utility rate hikes for residents by requiring data centers to cover electricity costs, protecting consumers from increased energy expenses.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill imposes financial burdens (electricity costs, tax exemptions) and regulatory restrictions on data centers, directly limiting their operational flexibility without advancing tech policy goals.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Technology

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 43: address search and seizure provisions applicable to digital currency.

This bill updates South Dakota's search and seizure laws to explicitly include digital currency as "property" covered by existing warrant procedures. It defines digital currency as value recorded on blockchain or similar distributed ledger technology (e.g., Bitcoin). The change ensures law enforcement must follow standard warrant processes when seeking digital currency, aligning it with how physical property is treated under current law. This directly affects law enforcement investigations involving digital assets and individuals holding such currency.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrants for digital currency searches, protecting civil rights by aligning with physical property search procedures under existing law.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires warrants for digital currency searches, treating it as protected property under existing law to prevent warrantless seizures, aligning with digital privacy protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Technology

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 98: prevent virtual currency kiosk fraud.

SB 98 requires operators of virtual currency kiosks in South Dakota to obtain a license under existing financial regulations (Chapter 51A-17). It mandates detailed reporting to the state, including transaction volumes, user complaints, refund requests, and suspicious activity. The bill also requires kiosk operators to provide users with receipts containing transaction details, exchange rates, virtual currency addresses, and refund policies. These provisions directly affect kiosk operators (licensees) and users engaging in virtual currency transactions at these locations. The law aims to increase transparency and accountability in virtual currency kiosk operations.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates virtual currency kiosks with licensing and reporting requirements to prevent fraud, aligning with consumer protection in technology regulations.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Technology

signed · South Dakota · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1054: repeal the creation and budgeting for the Digital Dakota Network.

HB 1054 repeals the creation and budgeting requirements for South Dakota's Digital Dakota Network. The bill removes specific statutory provisions that established the network's structure, budgeting process, and the separate Office of Digital Dakota Network within the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications. It transfers all remaining network-related functions - including management, programming, and budgeting - directly to the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications. This change eliminates the network as a distinct program and ends the requirement for the Bureau to submit separate budgets for it. The bill directly affects the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications, which will now manage all telecommunications network operations under existing authority.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRepeals budgeting and structure of Digital Dakota Network, eliminating dedicated tech infrastructure program and transferring functions to general bureau.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Technology

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 1155: permit the state to invest in Bitcoin.

HB 1155 amends South Dakota's investment rules to allow the state to allocate up to 10% of its investment funds into Bitcoin. The bill specifically defines Bitcoin as a digital asset meeting strict network criteria (starting from its 2009 genesis block) and requires all Bitcoin holdings to be stored through secure custody solutions or qualified custodians. It applies only to state investment funds, not individual citizens or private entities, and explicitly prohibits investments in other digital assets like cryptocurrency exchanges. The bill does not authorize new spending but modifies existing investment guidelines to include Bitcoin under defined security and limit requirements.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly authorizes state investment in Bitcoin as a digital asset, directly funding a technology application through state funds with defined security requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Technology

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