Rep. John Sjaarda

Primary HB 1020

Passed · South Dakota House · Lead sponsor

establish education savings accounts.

Maddy summaryHB 1020 establishes education savings accounts for students in South Dakota, allowing parents to set aside funds for their children's future educational expenses. The bill permits eligible families to contribute money into these accounts, which can then be used to pay for tuition, fees, and other approved educational costs at participating schools. This legislation directly affects parents and guardians of students, providing them with a structured way to save and utilize funds for their children's education. The mechanism involves creating a formal system where contributions are tracked and withdrawals are permitted under specific conditions outlined in the law.

EducationSupports EducationBill establishes education savings accounts to expand educational access and provide families with structured funding for approved educational expenses.90% confidence

Passed Jan 29, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 1065

Passed · South Dakota House · Lead sponsor

repeal the requirement that an adult occupant of a motor vehicle in forward motion must wear a safety belt.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to remove the state law requiring adults to wear seat belts while driving or riding in a moving vehicle. It would directly affect all adult drivers and passengers in South Dakota by eliminating the legal mandate for seat belt use. The key provision is the repeal of the existing safety belt requirement, meaning adults would no longer face penalties for not wearing them. This change would shift responsibility for seat belt use from a legal obligation to a personal choice for adult occupants.

TransportationOpposes TransportationBill weakens transportation safety standards by eliminating mandatory seat belt requirements for adult vehicle occupants.95% confidence

Passed Jan 28, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 1048

Passed · South Dakota House · Lead sponsor

require that cash be accepted for certain transactions.

Maddy summaryHB 1048 requires businesses in South Dakota to accept cash as a form of payment for certain transactions, directly affecting merchants and consumers who use cash. The bill mandates that cash cannot be refused for purchases up to a specified dollar amount, ensuring cash remains a viable payment option. This provision aims to prevent businesses from discriminating against customers who prefer or rely on cash payments. The law applies to retail transactions and other specified commercial exchanges within the state.

Passed Jan 27, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 191

Signed into law · South Dakota Senate · Lead sponsor

restrict the use of medical cannabis for individuals on probation or conditional release.

Signed into law Mar 26, 2024 0 co-sponsors

Primary SB 72

Signed into law · South Dakota Senate · Lead sponsor

increase the annual limit of tax credits that an insurance company may claim through the partners in education tax credit program.

Signed into law Mar 26, 2024 0 co-sponsors

Primary HB 1178

Signed into law · South Dakota House · Lead sponsor

prohibit the Board of Regents or any institution under its control from using state resources for obscene live conduct.

Signed into law Mar 26, 2024 0 co-sponsors

Primary HB 1244

Signed into law · South Dakota House · Lead sponsor

provide a process to withdraw a signature from a petition for an initiated measure, constitutional amendment, or a referendum on a law in certain situations and to declare an emergency.

Signed into law Mar 26, 2024 0 co-sponsors

Primary HB 1257

Failed · South Dakota House · Lead sponsor

require the Executive Board of the Legislative Research Council to establish an interim study committee on minors' access to pornographic material.

Failed Mar 7, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SJR 501

Passed · South Dakota Senate · Lead sponsor

Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election, an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, authorizing the state to impose work requirements on certain individuals who are eligible for expanded Medicaid.

Passed Mar 4, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 1203

Passed · South Dakota House · Lead sponsor

clarify references to the court in a condemnation proceeding.

Passed Feb 29, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track