Rep. Kathy Rice

Maddy summaryHB 1065 would require individuals facing cannabis-related charges to possess a registry identification card to use a legal defense claiming they are permitted to possess cannabis. Currently, South Dakota law does not mandate this card for such defenses, but the bill would amend § 34-20G-53 to make it a requirement. This change would directly affect people charged with cannabis offenses who attempt to rely on this specific defense in court. The bill creates a new condition for accessing this defense, requiring the card as a prerequisite for its use.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would prohibit South Dakota governments from using eminent domain to transfer private property to private companies or non-governmental entities solely for economic development or increased tax revenue. It would require any property transfer to serve a clear public purpose, such as infrastructure or public services, rather than benefiting private interests. The amendment would apply to all state and local government actions involving property takings and must be approved by voters at the next general election. If adopted, it would change how governments can acquire property for development projects.

Maddy summaryHB 1309 restricts online services from collecting or using personal data of users under 16 years old in South Dakota. It requires operators (like apps or websites) to delete such data within 14 days of identifying a minor user, unless parental consent is obtained for 13- to 15-year-olds or the processing is strictly necessary for essential purposes like security, legal compliance, or providing requested services. The law bans data use for advertising, marketing, or third-party sharing without consent and allows the state Attorney General to enforce it through fines up to $5,000 per violation. This directly affects minors under 16 and online platforms targeting them or collecting their data within South Dakota.

Maddy summaryThis South Dakota resolution urges federal lawmakers to support the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act (S. 1848/H.R. 3516), which aims to reform the federal beef checkoff program. It highlights concerns about the current program’s lack of transparency, conflicts of interest, and its impact on cattle producers, including declining U.S. cow numbers and increased meatpacking concentration. The resolution specifically calls for reforms requiring producer votes on program decisions, independent audits by USDA, and restrictions on contracts with groups influencing policy. These changes would directly affect cattle producers who pay the mandatory checkoff fee, aiming to make the program more accountable to farmers.

Maddy summarySB 218 establishes a legal framework for charter schools in South Dakota. It defines charter schools as public schools operating under contracts with school districts or the state education department, granting them exemptions from most state education laws while requiring compliance with civil rights, health/safety rules, and standardized testing. The bill mandates annual performance reporting to the state, outlines application requirements for nonprofit organizers (including community support and financial plans), and specifies that charter schools must serve grades K-12 nonsectarianly without religious instruction. This directly affects school districts (as authorizing entities), nonprofit organizers seeking to open charter schools, and students enrolled in these schools.

Maddy summarySB 109 modifies South Dakota's rules for creating tax increment financing (TIF) districts, which are areas where increased property tax revenue from development is used to fund improvements. The bill requires that at least 50% of a district's area must be designated as "blighted" (meeting specific criteria like deteriorated structures or unsafe conditions) or serve economic development purposes. It also adds new consent requirements: counties need municipal approval to create districts within city limits, and municipalities need county approval for districts in unincorporated areas. The bill clarifies the definition of "blighted area" to include factors like substandard structures, inadequate infrastructure, or safety hazards. These changes directly affect local governments (municipalities and counties) seeking to establish TIF districts for redevelopment projects.

Maddy summaryHB 1246 prohibits state agencies and local governments from signing agreements with private entities that require secrecy about data center projects. It mandates that any agreement for building, developing, or locating a data center must be treated as a public record, making its terms accessible to the public. The bill defines a data center as a facility storing, processing, or managing electronic data. This ensures transparency by preventing confidential clauses in such agreements, allowing public access to project details without secrecy restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends South Dakota tax law to establish two specific methods for determining the purchase price of a used vehicle acquired by gift or other transfer with no or minimal payment. It directly affects individuals receiving vehicles this way, as it provides an alternative to the default tax assessment method. The key change allows taxpayers to use either the retail value from a nationally recognized dealers' guide (approved by the Secretary of Revenue) or a documented bill of sale showing the actual prior purchase price. This gives people a clearer path to prove the vehicle's value for excise tax purposes, potentially reducing their tax burden compared to the previous default of using the retail guide value.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 6014) honors the 37 privately owned cabin owners in Custer State Park and their property rights. It recognizes that these owners pay property taxes, lease fees to the park, and contribute to the park foundation, but face uncertainty as their leases expire soon. The resolution urges the Governor and Department of Game, Fish and Parks to create new leases for the cabin owners to secure their future in the park. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new legal rights but expresses legislative support for the cabin owners' continued role in the park.

Maddy summarySB 128 requires data centers (defined as facilities managing electronic data) to notify local water providers about projected water use and implement closed-loop cooling systems that limit net water withdrawal. It prohibits these facilities from exceeding water usage limits after residential and essential public services are allocated, and mandates reduced use during declared water shortages. Data centers must submit quarterly public reports detailing water usage and compliance. The bill directly affects large data center operators in South Dakota, focusing on sustainable water management for this growing sector.