South Dakota Bills | MyRepTracker

died · South Dakota · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 215: provide for a pilot program for the implementation of a secured cryptographically end-to-end verifiable voting system in certain jurisdictions.

SB 215 establishes a pilot program in South Dakota to test a secure digital voting system for absentee voters, including military and overseas voters, in up to three participating jurisdictions. Jurisdictions must obtain local approval and notify the Secretary of State, who then reviews and waives incompatible state laws within seven days. Participating jurisdictions will not need to provide paper ballots to absentee voters, and the system must use encryption to verify votes while ensuring voters can cast all their votes securely. The pilot aims to validate the system's functionality without altering voter eligibility, registration, or election day procedures.

Topics ✓ Technology

failed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 199: establish a new fund to provide property tax relief.

SB 199 creates a Property Tax Relief Fund in the state treasury to help reduce property taxes for homeowners and businesses. The fund is funded by transferring 25% of the annual increase in the state's general fund revenue each August into the account, starting in 2026. Local governments (political subdivisions) can use these funds to lower property tax levies on real property within their jurisdictions. The Department of Revenue administers the fund, and deposits automatically adjust based on state revenue changes each year. This provides a structured, ongoing mechanism for property tax relief tied to state budget growth.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · South Dakota · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1230: modify requirements for payment of the employer's investment in South Dakota's future fee.

HB 1230 modifies the requirements for South Dakota employers to pay an "investment in South Dakota's future fee" (a separate charge from unemployment insurance contributions). It establishes a new opt-in/opt-out system: employers can choose not to pay the fee by submitting a simple form (fitting on one page), and those who opt out face no penalties. Employers who opt in pay a fee rate based on their unemployment fund balance (ranging from 0.00% to 0.53%), with rates adjusted annually according to specific schedule tables. The fee proceeds go to a dedicated fund, not the main unemployment trust, and employers cannot deduct the fee from employee wages.

failed · South Dakota · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1163: prohibit certain persons from requiring genetic-based vaccinations.

HB 1163 prohibits employers, schools, and public accommodations from requiring genetic-based vaccinations (defined as those using mRNA, DNA, or similar genetic technology) as a condition for employment, enrollment, or services. It also bans adverse actions like termination or denial of services based on vaccination status. The bill allows reasonable safety measures like masks or remote work but exempts healthcare facilities under federal rules, existing school vaccine requirements, health science program placements, court-ordered vaccinations, and the National Guard. This directly affects employers, educational institutions, and public service providers in South Dakota.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · South Dakota · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1210: prohibit COVID-19 vaccination requirements and to provide a penalty therefor.

HB 1210 bans employers, schools, state agencies, and other entities from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations as a condition for employment, enrollment, or accessing services. It directly affects workers, students, and individuals seeking public benefits or services. Violating this ban would result in a Class 2 misdemeanor penalty. The law overrides existing requirements and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

failed · South Dakota · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1246: prohibit nondisclosure of certain agreements related to data centers.

HB 1246 prohibits state agencies and local governments from signing agreements with private entities that require secrecy about data center projects. It mandates that any agreement for building, developing, or locating a data center must be treated as a public record, making its terms accessible to the public. The bill defines a data center as a facility storing, processing, or managing electronic data. This ensures transparency by preventing confidential clauses in such agreements, allowing public access to project details without secrecy restrictions.

Topics ✓ Technology

died · South Dakota · House Feb 18, 2026

HCR 6014: honoring Custer State Park cabin owners and their property rights.

This House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 6014) honors the 37 privately owned cabin owners in Custer State Park and their property rights. It recognizes that these owners pay property taxes, lease fees to the park, and contribute to the park foundation, but face uncertainty as their leases expire soon. The resolution urges the Governor and Department of Game, Fish and Parks to create new leases for the cabin owners to secure their future in the park. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new legal rights but expresses legislative support for the cabin owners' continued role in the park.

died · South Dakota · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 207: require a vote to approve the creation of certain tax increment financing districts.

SB 207 requires voter approval for creating tax increment financing (TIF) districts in South Dakota when estimated project costs exceed $15 million. It applies to cities, towns, or counties seeking to establish such districts. The bill mandates a special election (or inclusion in the next regular election if timing aligns) for voter approval of these high-cost TIF districts. This change modifies existing law to add a referendum requirement for districts above the $15 million threshold, while smaller TIF districts remain subject to governing body resolution without voter input.

failed · South Dakota · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1316: revise the time for conducting the canvass of an election.

HB 1316 changes the timing for conducting election canvasses in South Dakota. It revises Section 12-20-36 to require county election officials to complete canvassing at 9 a.m. local time on the first Tuesday after an election, instead of within six calendar days. Section 12-20-47 is amended to require the State Canvassing Board to begin reviewing county returns at 9 a.m. central time on the second Tuesday after an election, replacing the previous seven-day deadline. This procedural bill affects election administrators and county officials responsible for processing election results, with no direct impact on voters or policy outcomes.

failed · South Dakota · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1287: require an alternate approval process for an operation that extracts materials by the use of explosives.

HB 1287 requires mining operations in South Dakota that use explosives to extract sand, gravel, rock for construction, pegmatite, limestone, or materials used in cement or lime production to obtain a new permit under Chapter 45-6B. New or expanding operations must secure this permit by July 1, 2026, while existing operations must transition to the new permit system over five years (allowing 20% of operators to switch annually). Operators must report explosive use to the state department within 90 days of the bill's effective date and may request a six-month extension if they cannot obtain the permit by the deadline.

failed · South Dakota · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1171: establish provisions related to the disclosure of COVID-19 and mRNA vaccination status and blood donations.

HB 1171 requires blood donation centers in South Dakota to ask donors if they've received a COVID-19 or mRNA vaccination and to label blood bags if they have. It prohibits disclosing the donor's personal information on the label. Patients needing non-emergency blood transfusions can request blood from donors with or without these vaccinations, and healthcare providers must provide that blood if available. The law directly affects blood donors, donation centers, and patients receiving transfusions, creating new disclosure and request mechanisms while banning discrimination based on vaccination status.

died · South Dakota · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1223: revise the scope of practice for occupational therapy.

HB 1223 revises South Dakota's occupational therapy regulations by clarifying the scope of practice for therapists. The bill specifically limits the use of physical agent modalities (like heat, cold, or electrical treatments) to the upper extremities and requires therapists to be certified for these techniques. It updates definitions in the law to ensure occupational therapists, assistants, and aides operate within clearly defined boundaries, directly affecting licensed occupational therapy professionals in the state. This is a technical clarification, not a policy expansion.