Rep. Kent Roe

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 summaryHB 1272, introduced by Representative DeGroot, proposes amending South Dakota's vehicle title laws to require "a snow bear" to be titled and licensed. The bill attempts to add "snow bear" to the definitions in vehicle code (§ 32-3-1), treating it as a vehicle subject to title and licensing requirements. This appears to be an error or non-sequitur, as "snow bear" is not a recognized vehicle type and bears are living animals, not vehicles. The bill does not describe any actual policy mechanism or affect any real-world entity, as it conflates biological animals with vehicle regulations. This appears to be a drafting mistake rather than a substantive legislative proposal.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 97 adjusts property tax revenue limits for South Dakota taxing districts and school districts. For school districts, it changes the annual revenue increase cap from "lesser of 3% or index factor" to a flat 3% over the prior year's revenue, effective 2021. For general taxing districts, it adds a specific 3.5% cap on revenue increases above normal limits for taxes payable in 2027-2031. The bill also clarifies that property improvements to owner-occupied homes increasing value by 40% or less do not count toward the revenue limit. These changes directly affect local governments and school districts managing property tax revenue.

Maddy summarySB 2 amends South Dakota law to clarify that firearm silencers (devices reducing gunshot noise) are not classified as "controlled weapons." This change removes silencers from the category of weapons subject to strict state regulations, such as special permits or licensing requirements. The bill directly affects gun owners, manufacturers, and sellers of silencers in South Dakota by eliminating these regulatory barriers. The key mechanism is an amendment to the definitions section of the state's criminal code (§ 22-1-2), specifically excluding silencers from the definition of "controlled weapon."

Maddy summaryHB 1174 would amend South Dakota's retirement law to include 911 telecommunicators as Class B members of the South Dakota Retirement System. This change directly affects 911 call center workers across the state, granting them the same retirement classification as police officers, firefighters, and other public safety staff. The bill updates the legal definition of "Class B member" in the retirement system statutes to explicitly list 911 telecommunicators alongside existing professions like law enforcement and fire personnel. This is a technical classification change, not a new benefit or funding mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 1005 exempts sales and use taxes on data center equipment and software for businesses operating qualified data centers in South Dakota. It specifically covers servers, cooling systems, power infrastructure, security systems, and related technology used in facilities meeting strict criteria (e.g., built between 2026-2036, meeting fire safety standards). Qualified businesses must verify eligibility with the Department of Revenue and maintain compliance with electric utility agreements and water usage requirements. The tax exemption lasts 50 years from the facility's construction permit date. This directly affects data center operators seeking to reduce operational costs in South Dakota.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (not a bill with policy changes), recognizing February as National Career and Technical Education and National Career and Technical Student Organizations Month. It formally acknowledges South Dakota's career and technical education programs serving over 30,000 students and student organizations with more than 10,000 members (including FFA, SkillsUSA, and HOSA). The resolution has no binding effect or policy impact; it serves only to honor these educational efforts through symbolic recognition. No specific groups or individuals are directly affected by this commemoration.

Maddy summaryHB 1191 exempts firearm sales from South Dakota's sales tax on or after December 1st each year. The bill directly affects firearm buyers and sellers within South Dakota, applying to all firearms defined under state law (§ 22-1-2). Key provision: it adds a new tax exemption to Chapter 10-45, removing the sales tax obligation for qualifying firearm transactions during this annual period. This is a straightforward tax policy change with no additional requirements or administrative mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 1093 creates a new "small-batch winery" license in South Dakota for producers making limited quantities of wine. It sets specific requirements: producers must use at least 50% locally grown agricultural materials, limit annual production to 3,750 gallons, and pay a $500 license fee. The bill allows these wineries to sell directly on-site and to other licensed producers (like distillers or breweries) for use in manufacturing, while requiring verification of local ingredient sourcing. This license is distinct from existing "farm winery" licenses, which have higher production limits (150,000 gallons annually). The bill directly affects small-scale winery operators seeking to produce and sell wine under these defined parameters.

Maddy summaryHB 1026 requires individuals performing property data collection (observing real estate for financial transactions like sales or loans, excluding appraisals) to obtain a state license. To qualify, applicants must complete 30 hours of approved training, pass an exam, complete 5 supervised observations, and pass background checks. The law exempts licensed real estate appraisers, brokers, architects, engineers, and certain employees (like insurance adjusters or government workers). Violating the licensing requirement is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and the bill does not apply to banks or entities acting within their existing licensed scope.