Sen. Tim Reed

Maddy summaryHB 1137 allocates $40 million from state funds for the design and construction of a new athletic facility at the University of South Dakota. The facility will include an indoor track, practice areas, seating for 2,000 spectators, and supporting amenities like locker rooms and training spaces. The bill allows for cost adjustments up to 125% of the original estimate to account for inflation or regulatory changes, and declares an emergency to expedite the project. Unspent funds would revert per state procedures, and the project cannot create state debt or liens. The bill directly affects the University of South Dakota's athletic programs and facilities.

Maddy summarySB 211 prohibits ambulance providers from billing patients for out-of-network emergency services beyond required coinsurance, copayments, or deductibles. It requires health insurance plans to reimburse out-of-network ambulance providers at local rates (or 325% of Medicare rates if no local rate exists) within 30 days, and mandates clear billing explanations for patients. The law also establishes a complaint process through the Division of Insurance for violations and requires the division to post reimbursement rates online by 2027. It excludes self-funded employer plans, Medicaid, Medicare, and other federally regulated programs from these rules.

Maddy summarySB 118 creates a "homeowner tax reduction fund" in South Dakota's state treasury. Each year by January 31st, the treasurer must deposit either $100 million or 0.3% of revenues collected from specific property taxes (chapters 10-45, 10-46, 10-46E, 10-58, and § 32-5B-20) into this fund. The Department of Revenue will use these funds to provide property tax rebates for owner-occupied single-family homes, with money in the fund not allowed to transfer to the general fund and requiring annual budgeting through the general appropriation bill. The bill takes effect July 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1278 prohibits state official campaign committees and affiliated political action committees from accepting contributions from certain state employees. Specifically, it bans contributions from department heads, the highest-paid non-head employee in a department, or any employee who reports directly to a state official. This applies to committees tied to officials including the Governor, legislators, and cabinet members like the Attorney General. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, aiming to prevent potential conflicts of interest by restricting donations from employees in close proximity to decision-makers.

Maddy summaryHB 1034 would increase fees for vehicle decals and license plates mailed directly to owners. Specifically, it raises the fee to $2.50 per decal set and $12 per license plate set when mailed. This change directly affects South Dakota vehicle owners who choose to have their decals or plates sent by mail instead of picking them up in person. The bill amends existing law to implement these higher mailing fees, which apply only to mail-delivered items, not in-person transactions. The policy change is limited to the fee structure for mailed vehicle registration materials.

Maddy summaryHB 1030 revises timing rules for municipal elections in South Dakota, primarily affecting cities and towns holding elections on annexation, dissolution, or consolidation. It requires that questions like annexation must be held within 60 days of certain actions or included in the next annual election if filed within 90 days prior, reducing separate special elections. The bill also adjusts deadlines for special election notices and aligns board term lengths with even-year elections. These changes streamline election scheduling for all South Dakota municipalities conducting these specific vote types.

Maddy summaryHB 1080 allows veteran business owners to display military specialty plates on noncommercial vehicles (like personal cars or vans) registered to their business, provided the veteran is listed as an additional owner on the vehicle's title. It also limits the veteran's personal liability for damages from accidents involving these business vehicles. The bill requires the veteran to meet standard military plate eligibility and vehicle registration rules, with a $10 additional fee for the specialty plates. This directly affects veteran business owners who operate noncommercial vehicles under their business registration.

Maddy summaryHB 1072 allocates $20.6 million in state and federal funds to provide South Dakota state employees with a payment equal to 1.5% of their January 1, 2026 salary. Starting July 1, 2026, each active state employee as of that date will receive this amount monthly in 12 equal installments. The payment applies only to employees still working at the time of each monthly disbursement, meaning no payments are made to those who left state employment before a payment date. The funds must be expended by June 30, 2027, with unused amounts reverting to the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1272, introduced by Representative DeGroot, proposes amending South Dakota's vehicle title laws to require "a snow bear" to be titled and licensed. The bill attempts to add "snow bear" to the definitions in vehicle code (§ 32-3-1), treating it as a vehicle subject to title and licensing requirements. This appears to be an error or non-sequitur, as "snow bear" is not a recognized vehicle type and bears are living animals, not vehicles. The bill does not describe any actual policy mechanism or affect any real-world entity, as it conflates biological animals with vehicle regulations. This appears to be a drafting mistake rather than a substantive legislative proposal.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HC 8012) is a South Dakota legislative commoration formally recognizing Captain Royce Williams for his military service. It specifically honors his combat actions during the Korean War, including a classified 35-minute dogfight in 1952 where he reportedly shot down four enemy aircraft. The resolution acknowledges the Navy's 2025 recommendation to upgrade his decoration to the Medal of Honor, though the bill itself does not change any military awards. It serves solely as a symbolic gesture of state recognition, directly affecting Captain Williams through official commemoration.