Sen. Carl Perry

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the allowable dates for school district bond elections in South Dakota. It directly affects school districts that need to vote on funding for school construction or improvements. The key provision expands the window of time during which these elections can be held, giving districts more flexibility in planning. This change allows local communities to schedule bond votes at times that may better suit their availability and administrative needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the requirements for the annual judicial opinions report prepared by the Legislative Research Council in South Dakota. It clarifies which specific legal opinions must be included in the report, ensuring consistency in how judicial decisions are documented. The change directly affects the Legislative Research Council and the public who review the annual report. The bill does not alter the content of the opinions themselves but rather specifies the scope of opinions that must be compiled. This adjustment aims to improve transparency and clarity in the reporting process without changing existing judicial procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes parental rights as a fundamental liberty in South Dakota, explicitly protecting a parent's authority to direct their child's upbringing, education, healthcare, and moral or religious training. It prohibits state agencies, officials, and employees from interfering with these rights unless they can demonstrate a narrow, compelling interest using the least restrictive means available. The legislation also grants parents the ability to sue for damages or injunctive relief in court if their rights are violated, allowing them to recover attorney's fees if they win the case.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would require a 60% affirmative vote from voters to pass any future constitutional changes in South Dakota. It directly affects all South Dakota voters by raising the approval threshold above the current majority requirement. The key mechanism is changing the voting rule so that measures need supermajority support rather than a simple majority. This change would make it more difficult to amend the state constitution but does not alter any existing constitutional provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to South Dakota that would require voters to be U.S. citizens. It directly affects eligibility for voting in state elections by adding a citizenship requirement to the state constitution. The amendment would be placed on the ballot for voters to approve or reject at the next general election. If passed, it would make citizenship a formal legal requirement for voting in South Dakota.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create a state trust fund for unclaimed property in South Dakota. It would establish a legal framework for collecting and managing abandoned assets such as uncashed checks, forgotten bank accounts, and unclaimed securities. The amendment would require the state to maintain this fund and potentially use it for public purposes as defined by future legislation. This change directly affects the state's financial management system and property owners who may have forgotten assets in the state.

Maddy summaryThe bill directs the Department of Revenue to allocate funds to county rural access infrastructure funds, supporting infrastructure projects in rural areas. It includes a declaration of emergency to expedite the funding process. This measure directly impacts counties in South Dakota that receive financial support for rural infrastructure development.

Maddy summarySB 169 requires that a public hearing be held before a vote can be taken on imposing an excess tax levy. This bill directly affects local governments and taxpayers in South Dakota by adding a procedural step to the tax levy process. The key mechanism is the mandatory public hearing, which ensures community input is gathered before any excess tax increase is approved. This change aims to increase transparency and public participation in local tax decisions without altering the underlying tax rates or amounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill honors the 2024-2025 Canton C-Hawk girls wrestling team for their outstanding accomplishments. It designates the team for recognition, likely through a formal resolution or commemorative action. The measure directly affects the specific wrestling team and their community by acknowledging their achievements. No substantive policy changes are introduced, as the bill serves a commemorative purpose.

Maddy summarySB 172 establishes a legal presumption that joint physical custody is in the best interest of a minor child during custody disputes. This means courts will generally start with the assumption that both parents should share physical care of the child unless one parent can prove that shared custody would be harmful. The bill directly affects parents involved in custody cases by shifting the initial burden of proof to the parent opposing joint custody. This change aims to promote shared parenting arrangements while still allowing exceptions when joint custody would not serve the child's welfare.