Sen. Carl Perry

Maddy summaryHB 1076 revises restrictions on where sex offenders can live near community safety zones (areas near schools, parks, or shelters). It adds two new exceptions allowing offenders to reside there: if they established their home before July 1, 2024, or if the school/park was built after they moved in. The bill expands existing exceptions for offenders in prison, halfway houses, homeless shelters, or healthcare facilities. Violations remain felonies, with repeat offenses carrying harsher penalties. The bill also declares an emergency to take immediate effect.

Maddy summarySB 162 revises the factors South Dakota courts must consider when deciding to deviate from the standard child support amount. It adds seven specific criteria, including financial hardship (presumed if support exceeds 50% of a parent's net income), special needs of the child, agreements for extra support, and federal tax consequences of claiming the child. The bill does not create new requirements but updates existing law to clarify when courts may adjust payments beyond the standard schedule. This directly affects parents and courts handling child support cases in South Dakota.

Maddy summaryHB 1064 allows South Dakota livestock producers to sell meat they raised and processed directly to end consumers in the state, pending federal legalization of such sales. The bill requires meat to be raised, slaughtered, and processed entirely within South Dakota, sold only to final consumers (not resold), and labeled with a warning that it’s uninspected and cannot be redistributed. It becomes effective only after the attorney general certifies that federal law permits such sales, either through new federal legislation or a court ruling declaring the current federal prohibition unconstitutional. This bill does not change current federal restrictions but prepares South Dakota for future direct-to-consumer sales once federal barriers are lifted.

Maddy summarySB 146 clarifies the rules when a gubernatorial appointee resigns from a board or commission requiring Senate confirmation. It states that the resigning appointee must continue serving until one of three events occurs: the Governor appoints a replacement with Senate consent, an interim appointment is made (requiring Senate action), or the resigning person sets an earlier departure date in writing. This applies specifically to boards/commissions whose members are appointed by the Governor with Senate consent, not to those exempted by law. The bill does not change who can be appointed but ensures continuity until a new appointment is finalized.

Maddy summarySB 160 requires fishing guides in South Dakota to register annually with the Department of Game, Fish and Parks. It directly affects individuals who provide paid fishing guide services, imposing a $50 fee for residents and $250 for non-residents. Guides must submit daily electronic reports detailing trip dates, participants, locations, and fish species/numbers taken. Failure to register is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and fees collected fund fish restocking efforts based on reported catches. The bill establishes registration eligibility (age 21+, truthful application) and allows the Commission to deny or suspend registration for misrepresentation or missed reports.

Maddy summarySB 187 defines "nonpublic school" in South Dakota law as an institution operated by individuals or groups (not publicly elected boards) that teaches math and English fundamentals to children of compulsory school age, with English instruction focused on mastery. The bill specifies that such schools may limit enrollment, charge tuition, receive grants or services from school districts, but cannot claim geographic territory for tax revenue or receive state education aid under Chapter 13-13. It also clarifies that nonpublic schools are not required to be accredited or have certified teachers. This definition applies to all nonpublic schools in South Dakota, establishing their legal boundaries for funding and operations.

Maddy summaryHB 1211 creates a digital registry identification card for medical cannabis patients in South Dakota, replacing the current physical card. This digital card will be issued to qualifying patients and their designated caregivers who have received certification from a healthcare provider for a qualifying medical condition. The bill amends existing law to define "Cardholder" as someone possessing a valid digital registry card, which will be used to verify eligibility for medical cannabis use under state law. The change modernizes the verification process but does not alter the qualifying medical conditions or possession limits for patients.

Maddy summaryHB 1121 expands where South Dakota consumers can legally purchase raw milk for personal use. It adds a new allowed location: retail stores owned by the milk producer, provided these stores are not located at the farm where the milk is produced. Currently, raw milk could only be bought directly at the farm, at farmers markets, or at a producer-owned store located on the farm. The bill specifically allows producer-owned retail stores (not at the farm) to sell raw milk directly to consumers.

Maddy summaryHB 1267 requires all livestock owners in South Dakota to undergo mandatory ownership inspections when moving animals within or out of the state, directly affecting ranchers, farmers, and livestock transporters. Key provisions include establishing a Brand Board to register brands (with fees up to $50 for registration), set inspection fees ($1 per animal), and enforce rules for out-of-state brands (requiring permits unless rebranded). The law mandates inspections for all livestock leaving inspection areas by July 1, 2029, and imposes penalties for violations, including a Class 1 misdemeanor for noncompliance. It also creates specific fee structures for brand transfers ($50), renewals ($18/year or $90 for 5 years), and inspections outside designated areas.

Maddy summaryHB 1273 revises definitions and clarifies rules for "life of the mine permits" in South Dakota's mining law. It specifically defines how mining operators can temporarily pause operations (up to 180 days with notice) and extend pauses up to 10 years total, provided they submit plans for resuming work and maintain reclamation measures. This affects mining companies operating under these permits and the Board of Minerals and Environment, which oversees the process. The bill focuses on procedural clarity for permit management without introducing new environmental or financial requirements.