SB 197 South Dakota Senate · 2026 Regular Session

modify the administration of the South Dakota-Ireland trade fund.

SB 197 amends South Dakota law to transfer administration of the South Dakota-Ireland Trade Fund from the Legislative Research Council's Executive Board to the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The fund, which supports the South Dakota-Ireland Trade Commission's activities like promoting trade between South Dakota and Ireland, consists of donations, grants, and interest earned. This bill changes only the managing agency - no policy or funding changes are made to the fund's purpose or sources. The amendment clarifies that the Department of Agriculture will handle the fund's administrative expenses and disbursements.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 29, 2026 Signed Mar 10, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Senate Commerce and Energy Engrossed → Enrolled · 4 edits · Mar 1, 2026

MODERATE

This bill enrolls the final version of Senate Bill 197, which modifies the administration of the South Dakota-Ireland Trade Commission. The changes restructure the commission's membership to include more private sector representatives and clarify appointment processes, while also establishing a dedicated trade fund to cover administrative expenses.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on the South Dakota-Ireland Trade Commission, but the operational rules for the commission have been expanded to include additional private industry voices and formalized funding mechanisms.

REQUIREMENT

The composition of the South Dakota-Ireland Trade Commission was changed to include two additional members representing South Dakota private industry, appointed by the Senate president pro tempore and the House speaker, replacing the previous single private sector representative.

Appointment terms for all commission members were standardized to begin in odd-numbered years and expire on December 31 of the following even-numbered year, with specific rules for filling vacancies.

The commission is now required to select one legislator to serve as chair and must meet at least once each year.

FISCAL

A dedicated South Dakota-Ireland trade fund was established in the state treasury to cover administrative expenses, funded by donations, grants, and interest earnings, with continuous appropriation to the commission.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 10, 2026

Signed into law

Signed by the Governor on 2026-03-10 S.J. 514

executive

Mar 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by the Speaker H.J. 493

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by the President S.J. 434

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 66, NAYS 0 H.J. 457

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed,

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

State Affairs Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 13, NAYS 0

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Introduced

First read in House and referred to House State Affairs H.J. 279

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 33, NAYS 0 S.J. 221

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed, S.J. 12

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Commerce and Energy Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 0 S.J. 12

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Introduced

Commerce and Energy Motion to amend , Passed, S.J. 11 Amendment 197A

upper

Jan 29, 2026

Introduced

First read in Senate and referred to Senate Commerce and Energy S.J. 138

upper

8 primary · 0 co-sponsors