Rep. Les Heinemann

Maddy summaryThis bill requires South Dakota public schools to teach prenatal human growth and development in health or science classes using specific materials. It mandates that schools use resources recommended by the state Board of Education, including at least three minutes of high-definition ultrasound videos showing organ development or computer-generated animations of prenatal growth from fertilization to birth. The law prohibits using any materials from entities that perform, promote, or refer to abortion services. This directly affects K-12 public school curricula in South Dakota, altering required health/science content.

Maddy summaryHB 1257 redefines "abortion" in South Dakota law to include any action intending to terminate a pregnancy with knowledge it will likely cause the unborn child's death, while excluding specific medical treatments (like miscarriage care, ectopic pregnancy treatment, or procedures to save the unborn child's life). It requires physicians to determine that a pregnancy poses a "reasonably foreseeable risk of death" to the mother before permitting an abortion, mandates attempts to preserve both lives when possible, and mandates hospital-based reporting to the Department of Health. The bill directly affects pregnant individuals, physicians, and hospitals by setting strict medical criteria for legal abortions and prohibiting abortions based solely on psychological conditions or self-harm fears. It does not criminalize all abortions but creates a narrow exception for life-threatening conditions, with violations classified as Class 6 felonies.

Maddy summaryHB 1254 exempts soil amendments sold in single purchases of 500 pounds or more from South Dakota's sales tax, but only when used exclusively for farming. This directly affects farmers or agricultural businesses buying these products in qualifying bulk amounts. The bill adds a specific tax exemption to state law, removing sales tax from qualifying soil amendments defined under existing law. It does not change tax rates for other products or apply to smaller purchases or non-agricultural uses.

Maddy summarySB 15 creates the Developmental Disability Services Oversight Committee to examine and monitor South Dakota's Medicaid waiver programs providing home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The committee, composed of nine legislative members including committee chairs and appointed representatives, will review program operations, hear testimony from the Department of Human Services, and gather feedback from affected individuals, families, and service providers. It must annually report findings and recommendations to the Legislative Research Council by November 1 to improve service efficiency and operations. This bill directly affects individuals receiving waiver services, their families, community support providers, and the Department of Human Services. The committee's role is strictly advisory and oversight-focused, not policy-making.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 171 amends South Dakota election laws to change how absentee ballots are processed and declares an emergency. It requires election officials to keep absentee ballots sealed until verified by comparing envelope statements without opening them, and mandates that counties create a dedicated absentee ballot precinct for counting all absentee ballots (except when a regular precinct has ten or fewer absentee ballots, which are counted at the polling place). The bill establishes the absentee ballot counting board as the entity responsible for processing and counting all absentee ballots countywide, replacing previous handling methods. This directly affects election officials and the absentee voting process for South Dakota voters.

Maddy summaryHB 1184 defines "female" in South Dakota law as "an individual who naturally has, had, will have, or would have, but for a congenital anomaly or intentional or unintentional disruption, the reproductive system that produces, transports, and utilizes eggs for fertilization." This definition applies to all state laws, regulations, and programs. The bill prohibits state funding for any program, service, or policy that contradicts this definition of "female." It directly affects state agencies, healthcare providers, schools, and any entity receiving state funds that use gender-related terms.

Maddy summaryHB 1140 allows South Dakota courts to require defendants on probation or parole to complete treatment at nonprofit organizations that have received state grants for "alternative care programs," specifically for individuals convicted of repeat DUI/DWI offenses. The bill adds this option as a condition of probation (under § 23A-27-18.3), requiring the defendant’s consent, program availability, and pre-sentencing application approval. It directly affects individuals convicted of third or fourth DUI/DWI offenses who are on probation or parole, offering an alternative to jail time through treatment. The law modifies driver’s license revocation rules (§ 32-23-4 and 32-23-4.6), allowing courts to permit limited driving (e.g., for work or treatment) upon successful completion of such programs. This creates a concrete pathway for court-mandated treatment instead of incarceration for eligible offenders.

Maddy summarySB 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.

Maddy summarySB 88 clarifies the process for entities seeking to examine private property for public projects (like utility lines) without the owner's permission. It requires such entities to provide 30 days' written notice detailing the property area, timing, and purpose, and pay for any damage caused - $500 upfront for common carrier projects. Property owners can challenge the examination in court within 30 days of receiving notice. The bill applies only to projects needing a siting permit (e.g., utilities), not state entities, and defines "examination" as a minimally invasive inspection causing minor soil disturbance.

Maddy summarySB 36 requires electric utilities and wholesale electricity generators in South Dakota to develop and submit wildfire mitigation plans to either the Public Utilities Commission or their local governing body (like a city council). These plans must include specific strategies for risk assessment, infrastructure inspections, vegetation management, and community outreach to reduce wildfire risks. Utilities must also submit annual compliance reports by April 1st each year, with filing fees of $500 for initial plans and $250 for reports. The bill establishes a standardized process for these plans and reports but does not specify liability protections beyond the plan requirements.