Sen. Greg Blanc

Maddy summaryThis South Dakota House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 6009) urges Congress to repeal the federal estate tax. It directly affects farm and ranch families and generational family businesses, as their assets (like land and equipment) are often hard to sell quickly to pay the tax. The resolution highlights that the tax can force heirs to downsize or sell operations to cover payments, rather than allowing them to maintain family assets. The resolution is a formal request to Congress, not a law, and does not change existing tax policy.

Maddy summarySB 112 would recognize physical gold and silver coins (specie) as legal tender in South Dakota starting July 1, 2027. It allows private parties to use gold/silver for mutual debt payments and state/local governments to accept them for taxes/fees if they agree, though no one must accept them except by mutual agreement or through authorized electronic payment systems. The bill establishes definitions for "bullion depository" (secure storage for gold/silver) and "electronic payment system" (digital platforms backed by physical bullion), requiring the state treasurer to set rules for these systems. It directly affects residents, businesses, and government entities by adding gold/silver as an optional payment method under specific conditions. The state treasurer would designate storage facilities and authorize payment systems to enable transactions using physical gold/silver.

Maddy summaryHB 1068 allows South Dakota pharmacists to dispense ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine to adults 18+ based on written protocols created by physicians. These protocols must include risk assessments, drug information (indications, usage, side effects), and instructions for handling adverse events. The law shields physicians and pharmacists from liability for good-faith compliance, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct. It directly affects healthcare providers who dispense these drugs and patients receiving them under this new process.

Maddy summaryHB 1125 establishes a 15-member taskforce to study how artificial intelligence systems affect South Dakota, directly involving state government, industries (healthcare, banking, retail, manufacturing, tech), education (teachers/administrators), local governments (county auditors, municipalities), and the judiciary. The taskforce, appointed by legislative leaders, the governor, the Supreme Court chief justice, and the Board of Regents, must report findings and recommendations - including potential legislation - to the Legislative Research Council by December 1, 2028. The bill does not enact new laws but mandates a study of AI's impacts, dissolving the taskforce after its report. This procedural bill focuses on gathering data to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summarySB 59 requires South Dakota state agencies to use "Judea and Samaria," "Judea," or "Samaria" instead of "West Bank" when referring to land adjacent to Jordan acquired by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War. This applies to all official written materials produced by state agencies, including press releases, administrative rules, and guidance documents. The bill explicitly prohibits using "West Bank" in these materials but excludes teaching and research materials created by state university instructors. The law aims to standardize geographic terminology in state communications regarding this specific region.

Maddy summarySB 108 requires South Dakota's Legislative Research Council to post all recorded votes made by each legislator on the Council's website. This includes votes on bills and resolutions in both chambers and committees during each legislative session, along with records of absences or excusals. The voting records must be prominently displayed as a tab on each legislator's online profile page for public access. The bill applies to all legislators starting after July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 103 states that individuals present at shooting ranges assume all inherent risks that are obvious, including injuries from noise, discharges, equipment malfunctions (not owned by the range), terrain variations, weather conditions, or natural obstacles like rocks or debris. It directly affects anyone visiting public or private shooting ranges, including those operated by law enforcement. The bill defines "shooting range" broadly to cover all facilities using firearms or archery for activities like skeet or trap shooting. This legal assumption of risk limits liability for range operators regarding these specific, inherent dangers.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic concurrent resolution (not a bill with enforceable provisions), introduced by Senator Voita. It urges South Dakotans to observe July as a time of prayer and fasting to seek divine healing and mercy for the state, referencing Judeo-Christian values and historical religious appeals. The resolution does not create new laws, alter policies, or impose requirements on citizens or government. It is purely a ceremonial expression of religious sentiment, based on the state's constitutional motto ("Under God, the People Rule") and historical references to faith in governance.

Maddy summaryHCR 6004 is a non-binding House Concurrent Resolution encouraging South Dakotans to use physical cash for transactions. It urges citizens to pay with cash when possible and support businesses offering cash discounts, while also encouraging businesses to provide such discounts. The resolution cites reasons including preventing purchase tracking, reducing transaction fees for businesses, keeping money circulating locally, enabling unbanked residents to participate in the economy, and improving disaster resilience. It does not create new laws or requirements but serves as a symbolic expression of support for cash-based transactions.

Maddy summarySB 66 prohibits South Dakota election officials from using automatic tabulating equipment or electronic ballot marking systems for any election. The bill requires all ballots to be hand-counted manually in public view, replacing electronic processing with paper-based counting. It directly affects county auditors, precinct election boards, and all election administrators responsible for ballot handling and counting. The law mandates that ballots must be printed on paper (not processed electronically), with all vote counts performed manually after polls close, eliminating electronic tabulation entirely.