HB 1278 South Dakota House · 2026 Regular Session

prohibit certain political committees from accepting contributions by certain officers or employees of this state.

HB 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.

Bill status in committee 2 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Failed

Feb 2026

Governor

Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Last action Feb 23, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → House State Affairs Engrossed · 4 edits · Feb 19, 2026

MODERATE

This document shows the transition of House Bill 1278 from its initial introduction to its House State Affairs committee version. The bill prohibits certain state political committees from accepting contributions from specific high-ranking state employees who work directly for or report to state officials. This represents a significant new restriction on campaign finance in South Dakota.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded from a blank slate to include specific prohibitions on political contributions from state employees who hold leadership positions or report directly to state officials.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section to chapter 12-27 prohibiting state political committees from accepting contributions from state employees who are department heads, highest paid employees (excluding the head), or who report directly to state officials.

DEFINITION

Added a definition of 'state official' to include the Governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer, attorney general, commissioner of school and public lands, Public Utilities Commission commissioners, and state legislators.

TIMELINE

Added an effective date provision stating the Act becomes effective on January 1, 2027.

TECHNICAL

Removed browser compatibility notices and website loading messages that were present in the original introduced version but are not part of the legislative text.

Floor votes · House Feb 23, 2026

How they voted

20–47

Failed · 3 other

Total votes 70

Feb 23, 2026

D Democratic5

5 Nay

100% Nay

R Republican65

20 Yea 42 Nay 3

64% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Feb 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 20, NAYS 47 H.J. 414

lower

Feb 23, 2026

Vote failed

House Vote: fail (20-47-3)

house

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

State Affairs Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 4

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Introduced

State Affairs Motion to amend , Passed, Amendment 1278D

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Introduced

State Affairs Motion to amend , Passed, Amendment 1278C

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Introduced

First read in House and referred to House State Affairs H.J. 219

lower

6 primary · 0 co-sponsors