SB 60 South Dakota Senate · 2026 Regular Session

restrict ownership of real property interests by certain prohibited entities and to provide for enforcement.

South Dakota's SB 60 restricts ownership of land within 10 miles of military bases by entities designated as "prohibited" under state law. It requires these entities to sell any existing property in the "restricted zone" within two years (or three years if inherited) and bans new ownership or control of such property. The law mandates that property buyers sign an affidavit confirming compliance, and the Attorney General can enforce violations through court actions to forfeit non-compliant property. This bill directly affects property owners and investors near military installations, with enforcement focused on compliance rather than new regulations.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Signed Mar 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Senate Commerce and Energy Engrossed Enrolled · 6 edits · Mar 3, 2026
MODERATE
This bill establishes new restrictions preventing prohibited entities (such as foreign governments or specific foreign-owned companies) from owning real property in South Dakota while military installations are present in the state. It mandates that any such prohibited entity must divest its property interests within two years of acquisition (or three years if inherited) and provides the Attorney General with specific powers to investigate, sue for forfeiture, and sell the property.
Scope change
The bill adds a new chapter to Title 43 of the South Dakota Code, creating a specific legal framework for restricting foreign and prohibited entity ownership of real estate tied to military interests.
DEFINITION

New definitions for 'military installation,' 'prohibited entity,' and 'real property interest' to clarify who and what the law covers.

REQUIREMENT

Prohibited entities are now banned from holding or obtaining real property interests in the state while military installations exist there.

TIMELINE

Strict divestment deadlines are set: two years for acquired property and three years for inherited property.

ENFORCEMENT

The Attorney General gains authority to investigate violations, subpoena documents, and file lawsuits to forfeit or terminate illegal property interests.

FISCAL

A new process is created to distribute proceeds from the forced sale of forfeited property, prioritizing sale costs, legal fees, and lienholders before returning funds to the previous owner.

EXEMPTIONS

The law includes protections for innocent third parties who unknowingly transact with prohibited entities, shielding them from liability.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 10, 2026 · House Mar 2, 2026

How they voted

340
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 35
Feb 10, 2026
D Democratic3
3 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican32
31 Yea 1
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
18
Key actions
10
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Mar 12, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor on 2026-03-12 S.J. 529
executive
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 516
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by the President S.J. 448
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 65, NAYS 0 H.J. 476
lower
Mar 2, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (65-0-5)
house
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Military and Veterans Affairs Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 12, NAYS 0 H.J. 3
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Introduced
First read in House and referred to House Military and Veterans Affairs H.J. 294
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 34, NAYS 0 S.J. 233
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (34-0-1)
senate
Feb 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed, S.J. 11
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Commerce and Energy Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 0 S.J. 11
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Introduced
Commerce and Energy Motion to amend , Passed, S.J. 9 Amendment 60A
upper
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Commerce and Energy S.J. 10
upper
4 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors