Sen. Carl Perry

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 summaryThis bill is a legislative commemoration that formally recognizes the achievements of the 2025-2026 Canton C-Hawk girls wrestling team. It highlights their success in winning the Region 2 regional tournament for the second consecutive year and notes that thirteen team members qualified for the state tournament. The resolution specifically acknowledges two state championship wins by Brooke Warejcka and Finley Evjen, along with the contributions of the coaching staff. This type of bill serves as an official record of the team's accomplishments rather than creating new laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a legislative commemoration that formally recognizes the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Dakota and their 2026 Youth of the Year program. It highlights the organization's work serving over 18,000 children annually across 60 locations and acknowledges specific finalists from Sioux Falls, Wagner, Mission, Flandreau, and Pierre. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but instead serves as an official state acknowledgment of the program's achievements and the accomplishments of the youth nominees.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a legislative commemoration that formally recognizes Generations Indigenous Ways, a nonprofit organization on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The resolution highlights the organization's work in blending Lakota cultural knowledge with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education to empower Native youth. It acknowledges the group's programs, which include science camps, afterschool activities, and food sovereignty initiatives that foster cultural pride and community wellbeing. The bill does not change laws or allocate funding but serves to honor the organization's contributions to education and cultural preservation.

Maddy summarySB 208 requires South Dakota courts to automatically award attorney fees and costs to property owners or taxpayers who win appeals against property tax assessments. Currently, courts could choose whether to award these fees to winning appellants, but this bill makes it mandatory when owners prevail. The law applies to both circuit court and Supreme Court cases involving property tax disputes. It directly affects property owners challenging their tax assessments in court by ensuring they receive reimbursement for legal costs if they win. The key change shifts the rule from discretionary ("may award") to mandatory ("must award") for prevailing parties.

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 summarySouth Dakota Senate Bill 190 establishes specific rights for parents regarding their minor children's upbringing, education, health care, and mental health decisions. The bill requires state agencies, schools, and employees to obtain parental consent before performing medical procedures, mental health evaluations, prescription medications, or biometric scans on minors - except in emergencies where immediate harm is imminent. It also grants parents access to their children's medical and school records, the right to direct religious instruction, and the ability to withdraw children from school activities or instruction on gender topics. The law explicitly states these rights do not override prohibitions against child abuse or neglect.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes the Harrisburg Tigers gymnastics team for winning the 2026 Class AA state gymnastics championship in South Dakota. The legislation highlights the team's achievements, including their conference victories, final score, and individual accomplishments by team members and coaches. It serves as an official commendation from the state legislature without changing any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1261 provides a property tax credit for homeowners of single-family residences in South Dakota, reducing their 2027 property tax bills by up to $500 or the full tax amount owed, whichever is lower. The credit applies automatically to tax bills sent by county treasurers for owner-occupied homes. To fund the credit, $120 million is reallocated from the housing infrastructure fund ($60 million) and the general fund/budget reserve ($60 million each), with the state treasurer transferring funds to cover the revenue loss. This policy directly affects single-family homeowners paying property taxes in 2027, while the funding mechanism ensures no new state revenue is required.

Maddy summaryHB 1065 would require individuals facing cannabis-related charges to possess a registry identification card to use a legal defense claiming they are permitted to possess cannabis. Currently, South Dakota law does not mandate this card for such defenses, but the bill would amend § 34-20G-53 to make it a requirement. This change would directly affect people charged with cannabis offenses who attempt to rely on this specific defense in court. The bill creates a new condition for accessing this defense, requiring the card as a prerequisite for its use.