proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, resetting, then limiting property taxes to a flat rate, until adjusted when sold.
SJR 506 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit South Dakota property taxes to a flat rate based on a property's most recent sale price. For 2028 taxes, the maximum cannot exceed the lower of the 2027 tax amount or the higher of the 2020 tax amount or 1% (for year-round residents) or 2% (for non-residents) of the most recent sale price. For subsequent years, the tax cap resets annually to the higher of the previous year's tax or the applicable percentage of the most recent sale price if ownership changed. This amendment would directly affect all South Dakota property owners, with non-resident owners facing a higher 2% rate versus 1% for residents. If approved by voters, it would replace current property tax calculation methods.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 29, 2026
Last action Feb 20, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
SJR506A
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This amendment changes how property taxes are calculated for owner-occupied single-family homes in South Dakota by introducing a cap based on sales price and prior year taxes, with different rates for residents versus non-residents. The change aims to limit tax burdens while ensuring property taxes remain equitable across all property types.
Scope change
The bill now specifically targets owner-occupied single-family dwellings with a new tax calculation formula, whereas the original version had broader language without specific dwelling restrictions.
TIMELINE
Establishes a specific tax cap starting in 2028 for owner-occupied single-family dwellings, with calculations based on 2027 tax amounts or sales prices.
ELIGIBILITY
Creates a distinction between resident and non-resident owners, applying a 1% tax cap for residents and 2% for non-residents based on prior year residency status.
REQUIREMENT
Changes the tax calculation method from general property tax language to specific formulas comparing prior year taxes against applicable percentages of recent sales prices.
DEFINITION
Defines 'applicable percent' as either 1% for residents or 2% for non-residents based on whether the owner lived in South Dakota for at least half the preceding year.
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
7
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Amendments
1
Feb 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Taxation Deferred to the 41st legislative day , Passed, YEAS 4, NAYS 1 S.J. 17
upper
Feb 20, 2026
Committee
Taxation Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 3, NAYS 1 S.J. 17
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Introduced
Taxation Motion to amend , Passed, S.J. 15 Amendment SJR506A
upper
Jan 29, 2026
Introduced
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Taxation S.J. 142
upper
4 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Aaron Aylward
RRepublican
P
Greg Blanc
RRepublican
P
Heather Baxter
RRepublican
P
John Carley
RRepublican
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