Technology

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 214: amend provisions pertaining to the publication of the statewide voter registration file.

SB 214 requires South Dakota's Secretary of State to post weekly updates to the statewide voter registration file every Monday by 11:59 p.m. Central Time. It also establishes a rolling five-year historical archive of this data on the Secretary's website, making it freely available. The bill prohibits public access to sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers, driver license numbers, and birth dates within these files. Additionally, it bans selling or using voter data for commercial purposes (with exceptions for political polling), while allowing fees for paper copies of voter lists.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill restricts access to sensitive voter data (SSNs, DOB) and bans commercial use, directly aligning with data privacy protections in technology policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1298: prohibit the electronic publication of certain information about a judicial officer or law enforcement officer and provide a penalty therefor.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects law enforcement officers' safety by prohibiting unauthorized online publication of sensitive personal information, directly supporting operational security in Criminal Justice.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects sensitive personal data (addresses, DOB, SSN) of officers from unauthorized online publication, directly advancing data privacy safeguards in digital contexts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 41: revise a provision related to criminal invasions of privacy, prohibit the creation and distribution of digitally fabricated material of an identifiable individual, and provide penalties therefor.

SB 41 revises South Dakota's criminal invasion of privacy law to prohibit creating, distributing, or selling digitally manipulated images or videos that falsely depict an identifiable person as nude or engaged in sexual acts. It specifically targets content that appears authentic to an ordinary person but was altered to misrepresent the individual. The law defines "digitally fabricated material" as manipulated images, videos, or depictions that falsely show an identifiable person in states of nudity or sexual activity. Violating this provision is a Class 5 felony, with penalties applying when the manipulated content is shared to harass or embarrass the person depicted.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects civil rights by penalizing non-consensual deepfakes, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits non-consensual deepfakes and digitally fabricated content, directly protecting individuals' privacy through criminal penalties for misuse of technology.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 49: safeguard the integrity, privacy, and security of genetic data and provide a civil penalty therefor.

South Dakota's SB 49 requires direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies to protect consumers' genetic data and privacy. It mandates clear privacy policies, separate express consent for each data use (including research, marketing, or sharing with third parties), and security programs to prevent unauthorized access. Companies must also allow consumers to access, delete their data, or request destruction of biological samples within 30 days of revoking consent. This law directly affects South Dakota residents using these services and genetic testing companies operating in the state.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates genetic data privacy protections, explicit consent, and security measures for companies, aligning with consumer data protection in tech regulation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1280: increase penalties for the operation of drones over certain facilities and to provide for mitigation techniques and countermeasures.

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.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts drone surveillance at military facilities, limiting tech application without privacy/security benefits90% 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 Yes ✓ Supports 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