Sen. Tom Pischke

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 summarySB 93 prohibits state employees who approve, award, or administer state contracts from working for the organizations that received those contracts after leaving state service. For contracts under $1 million, this creates a one-year waiting period; for contracts over $1 million, it extends to two years. The bill allows exceptions if a governing body authorizes the arrangement through written disclosure and approval, ensuring the arrangement is fair and in the public interest. This applies to employees handling contracts within their official duties, excluding unpaid or per diem roles.

Maddy summarySB 115 removes a specific rule that previously prohibited hunting mourning doves on highways or public rights-of-way in South Dakota. The bill amends existing law to allow hunting mourning doves (previously excluded) in areas where small game hunting is otherwise permitted on highways and public rights-of-way. This change directly affects hunters who wish to pursue mourning doves near roads or public pathways that were previously restricted. The bill does not alter other hunting rules, safety zones, or penalties related to firearm discharge near dwellings or schools.

Maddy summaryHB 1201 authorizes South Dakota booster clubs (like school or community groups) to operate bingo games, lotteries, and pull-tab devices for fundraising. The bill adds booster clubs to the list of organizations allowed to host these activities under existing rules, requiring them to follow specific safeguards: prizes cannot exceed $2,000 per play, they must provide 30 days' written notice to local governments before events, and no one can be paid more than minimum wage (or $60/hour) for organizing sessions. It also clarifies that booster clubs can use mechanical pull-tab devices under the same conditions as other eligible groups. This changes current law to explicitly permit these fundraising methods for booster clubs while maintaining oversight and financial restrictions.

Maddy summarySJR 504 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow South Dakota to authorize mobile and electronic wagering on sporting events. The amendment requires such wagering to be offered only through licensed Deadwood casinos with servers located within Deadwood, and mandates that 90% of tax revenue from these wagers must fund statewide property tax relief or reductions. If approved by voters, this would change the state constitution to permit this new form of betting, which is currently restricted under existing gambling laws. The amendment must be voted on by South Dakota residents at the next general election to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 1105 prevents property owners in specific areas from using contracts or declarations to block healthcare services on commercial property. It applies to municipalities/townships under 3,000 people (per federal census) or areas officially designated as medically underserved by South Dakota’s Department of Health. The bill invalidates any contract or declaration that restricts the use of commercial property for healthcare services like clinics, diagnoses, or treatment in these areas. This directly affects property owners and developers who previously could impose such restrictions, while enabling healthcare providers to operate in underserved communities.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 605 is a non-binding resolution recognizing the monarch butterfly's ecological importance and encouraging voluntary conservation efforts in South Dakota. It urges state agencies, local governments, and land managers to preserve existing milkweed habitats where practical and prioritize pollinator-friendly native seed mixes - including milkweed - in plantings that align with land management goals. The resolution specifically emphasizes voluntary cooperation with landowners and agricultural operations, avoiding regulatory impacts, while urging federal agencies to support these efforts through technical assistance. It does not create new legal requirements but formally supports existing conservation practices.

Maddy summarySouth Dakota's Senate Joint Resolution 502 is a state application to the U.S. Congress seeking to trigger a constitutional convention under Article V. It requests Congress call a convention specifically to propose an amendment fixing the U.S. Supreme Court's composition at one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. This resolution does not change the Court's current size (nine justices total) but formally asks Congress to begin the process for a constitutional amendment. The application is a procedural step intended to be part of a broader effort requiring support from two-thirds of state legislatures to proceed.

Maddy summaryThe provided bill text only shows an amendment to education funding definitions (§ 13-13-10.1) and does not include the specific provision about wind farm revenues mentioned in the bill title. The text defines terms like "fall enrollment" and "target teacher ratio" but omits any mechanism for allocating wind farm revenues to school districts. Without the actual revenue-sharing language or relevant sections of the bill, a factual summary cannot be generated from the given context.

Maddy summaryHB 1067 creates a legal presumption in South Dakota that joint physical custody (approximately equal time with both parents) is in the best interest of a minor child for initial custody decisions. This means courts must assume joint custody is appropriate unless evidence shows it would harm the child, based on factors like parental cooperation or the child's needs. The bill directly affects parents involved in custody disputes by shifting the starting point for court decisions toward shared parenting. It defines joint physical custody as roughly equal time-sharing agreed upon by parents or ordered by a court, and repeals a prior section that handled custody determinations. Courts must still make written findings about the child's best interests.