require the use of certain geographic terminology in official materials of a state agency.
SB 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.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026
Last action Feb 2, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
3
Key actions
1
Committee
0
Feb 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
State Affairs Deferred to the 41st legislative day , Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 3 S.J. 11
upper
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
First read in Senate and referred to Senate State Affairs S.J. 15
upper
7 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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