Sen. Sue Peterson

Maddy summaryHB 1197 clarifies the court where adoption cases must be filed in South Dakota. It specifies that adoption petitions must be filed in a county where the adopting parent resides, the child's care agency is located, or the child was born/resides - unchanged from current law. The bill streamlines the language of existing rules without adding new options or altering the process. This procedural update directly affects adoption cases and the courts handling them, ensuring clarity in venue selection. (2 sentences, as it is a procedural clarification).

Maddy summaryHB 1173 requires South Dakota's Public Utilities Commission to mandate an environmental impact statement (EIS) for certain utility permit applications before final approval. It specifically applies to applicants seeking permits for carbon dioxide transmission facilities and may require an EIS for other projects if the Commission determines it is necessary under state environmental law (Chapter 34A-9). The bill does not change the permit process itself but adds a requirement for an EIS review, which could affect project timelines and costs for utility developers. This applies to all pending and future permit applications before the Commission.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing state consumer protection laws to add requirements for age verification and parental consent for application stores, which are digital platforms where users download software applications. The legislation would require these stores to verify the age of users and obtain parental consent from minors before allowing them to access or download applications. It also establishes penalties for businesses that fail to comply with these new verification and consent requirements. The bill does not create new consumer protection categories but rather modifies existing deceptive trade practices provisions to include digital application store compliance.

Maddy summarySB 223 modifies South Dakota's process for school districts to refer excess tax levies to voter approval. It changes the petition signature requirement from a flat 50 voters to "at least five percent of the registered voters" in the school district. The bill also adjusts notice rules, waiving newspaper publication requirements if the district mails the resolution to all property taxpayers within 20 days. This affects school districts seeking voter input on tax increases and directly impacts local taxpayers who may petition to refer levy decisions.

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 summaryThis resolution honors William Long IV, a Rosebud Reservation resident who died while ice fishing on December 21, 2025. It commemorates his life as a devoted family man, youth sports coach (assistant coach for Todd County Lady Falcons), boxer, and community member who embraced his Mexican and Native American heritage. The resolution extends sympathy to his family and recognizes his legacy of service to youth and community. As a purely commemorative measure with no policy changes, it does not affect laws, funding, or government actions.

Maddy summarySB 215 establishes a pilot program in South Dakota to test a secure digital voting system for absentee voters, including military and overseas voters, in up to three participating jurisdictions. Jurisdictions must obtain local approval and notify the Secretary of State, who then reviews and waives incompatible state laws within seven days. Participating jurisdictions will not need to provide paper ballots to absentee voters, and the system must use encryption to verify votes while ensuring voters can cast all their votes securely. The pilot aims to validate the system's functionality without altering voter eligibility, registration, or election day procedures.

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 summaryHB 1316 changes the timing for conducting election canvasses in South Dakota. It revises Section 12-20-36 to require county election officials to complete canvassing at 9 a.m. local time on the first Tuesday after an election, instead of within six calendar days. Section 12-20-47 is amended to require the State Canvassing Board to begin reviewing county returns at 9 a.m. central time on the second Tuesday after an election, replacing the previous seven-day deadline. This procedural bill affects election administrators and county officials responsible for processing election results, with no direct impact on voters or policy outcomes.

Maddy summarySB 141 exempts sales of fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, dairy, baked goods, flowers, and artisanal products directly to consumers at qualifying farmers' markets from South Dakota's sales tax. It applies specifically to recurring public markets where multiple independent farmers and producers sell agricultural goods directly to shoppers. The bill removes the tax burden on these transactions, benefiting both small-scale farmers who sell at markets and consumers purchasing locally grown or made products. This policy change directly affects farmers' market operators and shoppers at these venues within South Dakota.