increase thresholds for the value of and eligibility for the partners in education scholarship.
SB 84 increases the income threshold for students to qualify for South Dakota's Partners in Education scholarship program. It raises the initial income requirement from 152% to a higher percentage of the national free/reduced-price lunch income standard (currently 152% for initial eligibility), directly affecting low-income students seeking tuition assistance at participating nonpublic schools. The bill maintains that students who qualify initially remain eligible for three years or until high school graduation without income checks, but must later meet a 250% income threshold to renew. This change expands access to the scholarship program by allowing more households to qualify under the new higher income cap.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Jan 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Signed into Law
Feb 2026
Introduced Jan 14, 2026
Signed Feb 6, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Senate Engrossed
→
Enrolled
·
3 edits
·
Feb 2, 2026
MINOR
This bill finalizes the text of Senate Bill 84, which expands the Partners in Education Scholarship program by raising income eligibility thresholds. The change allows more low-income families to qualify for scholarships, increasing the program's reach and support for students.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include students from households with incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty level, whereas previously only those at or below 200% qualified.
ELIGIBILITY
Raised the post-initial income eligibility threshold from 200% to 250% of the income standard used for free or reduced-price lunch.
Added a provision allowing students who initially qualified at 200% to remain eligible for three years or until high school graduation regardless of subsequent income increases.
DEFINITION
Added a new definition for 'Low-income eligible student' to specifically denote households earning at or below 100% of the income standard.
Floor votes · Senate Jan 23, 2026
How they voted
34–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 35
Jan 23, 2026
D
Democratic3
100% Yea
R
Republican32
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
15
Key actions
9
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Feb 6, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor on 2026-02-06 S.J. 206
executive
Feb 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 210
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by the President S.J. 165
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 65, NAYS 0 H.J. 182
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed,
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Education Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 13, NAYS 0
lower
Jan 26, 2026
Introduced
First read in House and referred to House Education H.J. 136
lower
Jan 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 34, NAYS 0 S.J. 97
upper
Jan 23, 2026
Introduced
Senate Motion to amend , Passed, S.J. 96 Amendment 84A
upper
Jan 23, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (34-0-1)
senate
Jan 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Education Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0 S.J. 3
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Education S.J. 34
upper
15 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Al Novstrup
RRepublican
P
Bobbi Andera
RRepublican
P
Carl Perry
RRepublican
P
Heather Baxter
RRepublican
P
John Hughes
RRepublican
P
John Sjaarda
RRepublican
P
Jon Hansen
RRepublican
P
Karla Lems
RRepublican
P
Kevin Jensen
RRepublican
P
Lauren Nelson
RRepublican
P
Les Heinemann
RRepublican
P
Peri Pourier
RRepublican
P
Sue Peterson
RRepublican
P
Terri Jorgenson
RRepublican
P
Tom Pischke
RRepublican
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