Rep. Tim Goodwin

Maddy summarySB 225 directs that 4% of the interest earnings from South Dakota's unclaimed property trust fund (without touching the principal) be distributed annually to school districts starting in fiscal year 2026. The funds will be apportioned to school districts based on their student enrollment, following the existing method used for other school funding. This adds a new source of revenue for school districts through the trust fund's interest, calculated using the fund's market value as of December 31 each year. The bill modifies existing statutes to implement this distribution, ensuring the funds are added to the general fund before being allocated to schools under current apportionment rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1270 creates a legal apprenticeship pathway for becoming a licensed attorney in South Dakota, specifically for graduates of the University of South Dakota School of Law who are South Dakota residents. To qualify, applicants must complete 675 hours of supervised legal work under a licensed attorney with at least seven years of practice, followed by a background check. Upon meeting these requirements, apprentices receive a license but must also complete 50 hours of pro bono legal work annually for five years after licensure. The bill directly affects prospective lawyers at USD Law who choose this alternative to traditional law school graduation and bar exam requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1278 prohibits state official campaign committees and affiliated political action committees from accepting contributions from certain state employees. Specifically, it bans contributions from department heads, the highest-paid non-head employee in a department, or any employee who reports directly to a state official. This applies to committees tied to officials including the Governor, legislators, and cabinet members like the Attorney General. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, aiming to prevent potential conflicts of interest by restricting donations from employees in close proximity to decision-makers.

Maddy summaryHB 1098 adjusts South Dakota's special education funding formula by establishing annual per-student funding amounts for six disability levels (e.g., $7,650.45 for "level one" disabilities in 2025) that increase yearly based on inflation (using the Consumer Price Index or 3%, whichever is lower). It also requires school districts to reduce local tax levies if local revenue growth exceeds student need growth statewide. The bill directly affects South Dakota school districts (which receive the funding) and students with disabilities (who qualify for services based on their disability level). Key provisions include standardized funding rates per disability classification and a new $1.26 per $1,000 valuation local levy rate for 2026 and beyond.

Maddy summaryHB 1030 revises timing rules for municipal elections in South Dakota, primarily affecting cities and towns holding elections on annexation, dissolution, or consolidation. It requires that questions like annexation must be held within 60 days of certain actions or included in the next annual election if filed within 90 days prior, reducing separate special elections. The bill also adjusts deadlines for special election notices and aligns board term lengths with even-year elections. These changes streamline election scheduling for all South Dakota municipalities conducting these specific vote types.

Maddy summaryHB 1080 allows veteran business owners to display military specialty plates on noncommercial vehicles (like personal cars or vans) registered to their business, provided the veteran is listed as an additional owner on the vehicle's title. It also limits the veteran's personal liability for damages from accidents involving these business vehicles. The bill requires the veteran to meet standard military plate eligibility and vehicle registration rules, with a $10 additional fee for the specialty plates. This directly affects veteran business owners who operate noncommercial vehicles under their business registration.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the property tax exemption amount for disabled veterans and surviving spouses in South Dakota. Currently, $350,000 of a home's value is exempt from property taxes under the program; the bill raises this amount but does not specify the new figure in the provided text. It directly affects veterans rated permanently and totally disabled from service-connected disabilities, as well as surviving spouses of such veterans. The change would lower property tax bills for eligible homeowners without altering application requirements or eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 1255 requires South Dakota's Department of Health to accept medical records from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) when veterans apply for a medical cannabis registry ID card. Veterans must submit VA records (within three years) showing a debilitating condition, along with proof of an honorable military discharge, to qualify under this provision. This eliminates the need for veterans to obtain a new certification from a South Dakota healthcare provider for the card application. The bill applies specifically to veterans meeting these documentation requirements, streamlining access to medical cannabis registry cards.

Maddy summaryHB 1256 requires South Dakota's Bureau of Human Resources to create rules governing public access to the Capitol complex, including hours of operation, parking, and safety regulations. It also mandates that capitol access pass holders (such as state employees and contractors) can use electronic cards to enter all outside Capitol entrances. This directly affects pass holders and the public visiting the Capitol complex by changing access procedures. The bill focuses on administrative access rules without altering security policies.

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.