Rep. Dylan Jordan

Maddy summaryThis bill amends South Dakota election law to require voters using optical scan ballots to mark their choices exclusively with a black ink ballpoint pen. It directly affects all voters in South Dakota who cast ballots through optical scan systems, replacing the previous allowance of pencils or other marking instruments. The key provision specifies that black ink pens are the only permitted tool for marking these ballots, eliminating alternatives like pencils. The change is procedural, focusing solely on ballot marking standards without altering voting procedures or outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 1209 requires South Dakota employers to verify new employees' work eligibility using the federal DHS e-Verify program within the hiring process and maintain records throughout employment. Employers who fail to comply lose eligibility for state economic incentives (like grants or loans) and must repay any such funds received within 30 days of a final noncompliance determination. Additionally, the bill makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for individuals to knowingly provide false information to evade e-Verify checks. The law directly affects all South Dakota employers receiving state economic incentives and their employees.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 164 (SB 164) requires all current and new holders of commercial driver licenses (CDLs) in South Dakota to demonstrate English language proficiency by January 1, 2026. This requirement aligns with federal standards (49 C.F.R. § 391.11) for commercial motor vehicle drivers and applies directly to individuals seeking or renewing CDLs. The bill amends state law to add English proficiency as a mandatory condition for CDL issuance, referencing existing federal qualifications. Violations may result in penalties, though specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text.

Maddy summaryHB 1323 amends South Dakota law to require that petitions referring county or municipal ordinances/resolutions to voters be filed within **45 days** of the ordinance's adoption, instead of the previous timeframe. This affects **voters** in counties or municipalities who wish to challenge local government decisions through a referendum. The bill specifies that petitions must be signed by **at least 5% of registered voters** (based on the last general election's total), and it updates related sections (like §7-18A-15) to reflect this 45-day deadline. The change streamlines the process but does not alter which ordinances/resolutions can be referred (e.g., those affecting public safety remain excluded).

Maddy summaryHB 1164 makes it a Class 5 felony for licensed healthcare providers to use reproductive material (like sperm or eggs) without a patient’s written consent during assisted reproduction procedures (e.g., IVF). It directly affects healthcare providers, patients, donors, and children born from such procedures. The bill establishes civil liability, allowing patients, spouses, intended parents, children, or donors to sue for $10,000 in liquidated damages plus other costs and attorney fees. Lawsuits must be filed within five years of the child’s 18th birthday or when evidence (like DNA results) is discovered.

Maddy summaryHB 1169 classifies medetomidine - a drug used in veterinary medicine - as a state-controlled substance under Schedule III, effective January 1, 2026. This bill directly affects veterinarians, animal drug manufacturers, and pharmacists who handle medetomidine for animal use. The key provision exempts specific veterinary applications, including federally approved animal drugs (under 21 U.S.C. § 360b) and uses permitted by federal law, ensuring continued access for animal care while imposing state-level controls on other uses.

Maddy summaryHB 1241 increases the property tax exemption amount for disabled veterans and surviving spouses in South Dakota. It amends existing law (§ 10-4-40 for veterans and § 10-4-41 for surviving spouses) to raise the value of a primary residence exempt from property taxes. Currently set at $225,000, this exemption applies to owner-occupied homes where the veteran is permanently and totally disabled from service-connected injuries, or to surviving spouses of such veterans. To qualify, applicants must submit a confidential form to the Department of Revenue and maintain occupancy; the exemption ends if they sell the home, stop living there, or remarry (for surviving spouses).

Maddy summarySB 114 requires South Dakota election officials to make ballot images (digital copies of paper ballots) and cast vote records (electronic records showing how votes were counted) publicly available as public records. However, it prohibits releasing these records if they include voter-identifying details like names, timing of votes, or incomplete precinct data. Specifically, records from precincts with fewer than 100 ballots must be redacted to remove ballot style identifiers and combined with records from other precincts before public release. This law applies directly to local election officials responsible for managing and releasing election data.

Maddy summarySB 220 directs South Dakota's Department of Corrections to conduct a study evaluating juvenile correctional and residential facilities. The study must examine best practices, therapeutic housing models, vocational training combined with mental health services, and staff-to-youth ratios, including inspections at three facilities outside South Dakota. The bill appropriates $50,000 from the general fund to cover study costs and requires a written report to the Legislative Research Council by September 1, 2026. This is a procedural study bill with no direct policy changes or new requirements for facilities, solely aimed at gathering information for future decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1056 requires South Dakota's Department of Social Services to submit a federal waiver request by September 1, 2026, to exclude soft drinks from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill defines "soft drink" as nonalcoholic sweetened beverages (excluding milk, milk substitutes, and approved juices) and mandates annual waiver requests if initially denied. If approved, the restriction would take effect within six months, directly affecting SNAP participants who currently purchase soft drinks with benefits. This policy change would alter eligibility under federal SNAP rules for South Dakota recipients.