Rep. Kadyn Wittman

Maddy summaryThis bill is a legislative commemoration that formally recognizes the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Dakota and their 2026 Youth of the Year program. It highlights the organization's work serving over 18,000 children annually across 60 locations and acknowledges specific finalists from Sioux Falls, Wagner, Mission, Flandreau, and Pierre. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but instead serves as an official state acknowledgment of the program's achievements and the accomplishments of the youth nominees.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a legislative commemoration that formally recognizes Generations Indigenous Ways, a nonprofit organization on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The resolution highlights the organization's work in blending Lakota cultural knowledge with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education to empower Native youth. It acknowledges the group's programs, which include science camps, afterschool activities, and food sovereignty initiatives that foster cultural pride and community wellbeing. The bill does not change laws or allocate funding but serves to honor the organization's contributions to education and cultural preservation.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 6015) requests the Legislative Research Council's Executive Board to form a committee to study expanding state involvement in the national instant criminal background check system. It specifically directs the committee to examine how to better identify individuals with mental health issues seeking firearms, while addressing due process rights, reporting standards, and training requirements for those handling background check information. The study will also evaluate county mental health boards' roles, existing commitment processes, and how they might interact with background check systems. The resolution does not create new law but asks for a report with findings and recommendations for future legislative action. (Note: The bill title incorrectly references "county boards of mental illness" instead of the actual focus on background checks and mental health in firearm contexts.)

Maddy summaryHB 1086 appropriates $2.7 million from the general fund to the South Dakota Department of Corrections for a grant to a nonprofit organization. The nonprofit must provide trauma-informed programming - including leadership development and skills training - to both offenders and correctional staff at three specific state prisons: South Dakota State Penitentiary, Mike Durfee State Prison, and South Dakota Women's Prison. To qualify, the nonprofit must currently operate such programming at a state facility and plan to serve all three prisons, as verified by the Department of Corrections. Unspent funds by June 30, 2031, will revert to the state treasury.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors William Long IV, a Rosebud Reservation resident who died while ice fishing on December 21, 2025. It commemorates his life as a devoted family man, youth sports coach (assistant coach for Todd County Lady Falcons), boxer, and community member who embraced his Mexican and Native American heritage. The resolution extends sympathy to his family and recognizes his legacy of service to youth and community. As a purely commemorative measure with no policy changes, it does not affect laws, funding, or government actions.

Maddy summaryHB 1073 requires every public and accredited nonpublic school in South Dakota to create a cardiac emergency response plan. The bill mandates schools to develop these plans with local emergency services, including forming response teams, placing accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in schools and athletic venues, and training staff in CPR and AED use. Schools must conduct annual drills and maintain AEDs, with specific training requirements for coaches, athletic trainers, nurses, and response team members. This law directly affects all South Dakota schools and aims to improve emergency response for heart-related incidents during school activities.

Maddy summaryHB 1213 appropriates $2.5 million from the general fund to the South Dakota Department of Education for a statewide educator retention initiative. The bill provides grants to public school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to address retention challenges, using both quantitative and qualitative data to identify and resolve underlying issues. School districts must apply for funding, with grants covering program costs during fiscal years 2026-2029, and the Department may use up to 5% of the appropriation for administration. This initiative requires a comprehensive approach to support educators, with funds allocated based on approved applications and expiring June 30, 2029.

Maddy summaryHB 1204 creates the South Dakota school construction fund, administered by the Department of Education, to provide zero-interest loans to school districts for building or expanding school facilities. Loans cover up to 40% of a project's cost, with repayment over 20 years at 0% interest and no collateral required. Funds are allocated 30% to districts with 4,000+ students and 70% to other districts, beginning with a $1 transfer from the general fund (replenished by loan repayments). The bill also establishes reporting requirements for the Department of Education to a legislative committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1293 appropriates $6.8 million from South Dakota's general fund to increase benefit amounts for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. It directs the Department of Social Services to provide TANF benefits equal to fiscal year 2025 levels starting immediately and continuing through July 1, 2027. The bill declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation of these increased benefits. This funding directly affects TANF recipients by raising their monthly support payments for a two-year period.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 605 is a non-binding resolution recognizing the monarch butterfly's ecological importance and encouraging voluntary conservation efforts in South Dakota. It urges state agencies, local governments, and land managers to preserve existing milkweed habitats where practical and prioritize pollinator-friendly native seed mixes - including milkweed - in plantings that align with land management goals. The resolution specifically emphasizes voluntary cooperation with landowners and agricultural operations, avoiding regulatory impacts, while urging federal agencies to support these efforts through technical assistance. It does not create new legal requirements but formally supports existing conservation practices.