Sen. Tom Pischke

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the South Dakota Board of Regents and institutions under its control from mandating that students live in on-campus housing or purchase meal plans. The legislation directly affects students at state universities and colleges by removing requirements that previously forced them to reside on campus or buy dining services. Under the new rules, students would have the option to live off-campus and prepare their own meals without penalty or loss of benefits. The change gives students more flexibility in managing their living arrangements and reduces mandatory spending on university housing and food services.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits medical providers from reporting unpaid medical debt to credit reporting agencies in South Dakota. It directly affects healthcare providers, medical collection agencies, and consumers with outstanding medical bills. The law includes a penalty provision for violations, though specific penalty amounts are not detailed in the title. This change aims to prevent medical debt from impacting consumers' credit scores.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate Concurrent Resolution that formally acknowledges and celebrates the sister-state relationship between South Dakota and Taiwan. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize the diplomatic and cultural ties between the two regions. The resolution is intended to honor the existing partnership without altering any legal or governmental procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill, SB 217, proposes to prohibit the use of automatic tabulating equipment for counting ballots in South Dakota elections. If enacted, this change would require all votes cast by citizens to be counted manually by election officials, directly affecting how election results are determined statewide. The core provision of the bill is a ban on the use of machines for vote tabulation, mandating a shift to human counting for all future elections.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changing the South Dakota Constitution to require more voter signatures on petitions for constitutional amendments or ballot measures. It directly affects citizens who wish to initiate legislative proposals through the petition process by increasing the signature threshold. The key mechanism is raising the number of required signatures, making it more difficult to place such measures on the ballot. This change would apply to future elections and alter the current rules for citizen-initiated legislation in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1247 proposes changes to the licensure requirements for massage therapists in South Dakota. The bill would modify the current standards for obtaining a massage therapy license and establishes penalties for individuals who practice without meeting these new requirements. These changes directly affect massage therapists seeking licensure and the public they serve. The legislation aims to clarify professional standards and provide enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires utility companies in South Dakota to obtain a customer's consent before installing a smart meter for any utility service. The key provision mandates that customers must explicitly agree to the installation rather than having it done automatically. This change directly affects residential and commercial utility customers who currently might have smart meters installed without their permission. The bill aims to give consumers more control over the technology used to measure their energy consumption.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts warrantless searches of taxidermy businesses in South Dakota. It directly affects business owners and law enforcement officers by requiring a warrant before authorities can search these specific establishments. The key provision mandates that law enforcement must obtain a search warrant from a judge before conducting a search, rather than searching without one. This change aims to protect the privacy and property rights of taxidermy business owners while maintaining legal oversight for law enforcement activities.

Maddy summaryHB 1145 amends the rules for maintaining and publishing South Dakota's statewide voter registration file. The bill directly affects the Secretary of State's office and individuals who manage voter records. It updates procedures for how voter information is stored, accessed, and made available to the public. The changes aim to improve the accuracy and accessibility of voter registration data without altering who can vote.

Maddy summaryHB 1214 provides legal immunity from certain lawsuits for security personnel working for religious organizations in South Dakota. The bill directly affects security guards employed by churches, temples, mosques, and other religious institutions, protecting them from being sued for injuries or damages that occur while they are performing their duties. Key provisions would shield these individuals from civil liability claims related to their security work, similar to protections often granted to other public safety workers. This change aims to reduce legal risks for religious organizations while maintaining their ability to employ security staff for safety purposes.