HB 1051 revises South Dakota school districts' property tax limits and updates state funding formulas. It sets new maximum tax rates: $4.22 per $1,000 of property value for general funds, $1.13 for agricultural land, and $2.51 for owner-occupied homes, all based on valuations at 85% of market value. The bill also changes how school enrollment is calculated for state aid, clarifying that students in state custody (e.g., foster care) count toward enrollment and adding rules for tuition payments. These changes directly affect all South Dakota public school districts by altering their tax capacity and state funding calculations.
South Dakota's SB 96 allows counties to impose a 0.5% sales tax on taxable goods, digital products, and services (following state sales tax rules). All revenue from this county-level tax must go into a dedicated "property tax reduction fund." The fund is used to reduce property taxes on owner-occupied homes first, then agricultural and other land types, with all reductions applied equally across qualifying properties. Counties must adopt an ordinance to implement the tax and may hold a voter referendum on the proposal.
SB 41 revises South Dakota's criminal invasion of privacy law to prohibit creating, distributing, or selling digitally manipulated images or videos that falsely depict an identifiable person as nude or engaged in sexual acts. It specifically targets content that appears authentic to an ordinary person but was altered to misrepresent the individual. The law defines "digitally fabricated material" as manipulated images, videos, or depictions that falsely show an identifiable person in states of nudity or sexual activity. Violating this provision is a Class 5 felony, with penalties applying when the manipulated content is shared to harass or embarrass the person depicted.
SB 37 appropriates $19.5 million from South Dakota's water and environment fund to the Board of Water and Natural Resources for water and environmental projects, declaring an emergency to expedite funding. The bill funds feasibility studies for regional water systems, hydrology research including a public wetland map, flood control updates for the Big Sioux River, and infrastructure construction in northern South Dakota. It also provides grants and loans for water facilities, solid waste management, and cleanup projects, with local communities and municipalities as direct recipients. The Board will distribute funds according to established terms and conditions, focusing on concrete infrastructure and resource management improvements.
SB 69 appropriates $5 million from the general fund to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety for purchasing a new Highway Patrol airplane, related mission equipment, and installation. This bill directly affects the Highway Patrol division by funding equipment upgrades for aerial operations. The key mechanism is a specific budget allocation with a requirement that unspent funds revert per state procedures. The bill also declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation upon approval.
SB 79 appropriates $6 million from South Dakota's general fund to build an advanced manufacturing lab and classrooms at Southeast Technical College. The college must first secure $18 million in outside funding (gifts, grants, etc.) before the state funds are released, with no bonds allowed for the project. The bill declares an emergency to expedite the construction, requiring the state auditor to pay for approved expenses. This directly affects Southeast Technical College students, faculty, and local manufacturing industry partners by expanding hands-on training facilities. The funding is conditional on the college meeting its financial match requirement.
HB 1048 appropriates $87 million in federal funds to the Governor's Office of Economic Development for grants expanding broadband infrastructure across South Dakota, primarily benefiting rural and underserved communities lacking reliable internet access. The bill authorizes the office to distribute grants under federal broadband program guidelines, with payments processed through state vouchers and audits. It declares an emergency to expedite implementation, allowing the funding to take effect immediately upon passage. Unspent funds must revert to the state treasury per standard procedures, as specified in Chapter 4-8 of South Dakota law. This is a funding measure focused on infrastructure deployment, not regulatory changes.
HB 1089 modifies how South Dakota distributes severance tax revenue from precious metals mining. It changes the rules for permits issued on or after July 1, 2026: 80% of the tax revenue goes to the state general fund, while 20% is sent to the county where mining occurs. Unlike previous rules, this 20% county share cannot be reduced if a mining company is acquired. The bill also maintains that revenue from mining on state-owned land must go to the common school permanent fund. This directly affects new mining permit holders after 2026 and the counties where they operate.
SB 102 modifies how South Dakota distributes gaming revenues after the City of Deadwood receives $6.8 million annually from the Gaming Commission fund. It shifts the allocation over time: starting in 2026, 70% of remaining funds go to the state general fund (reducing to 20% by 2029), while 10% each goes to Lawrence County municipalities (excluding Deadwood) based on population, school districts in Lawrence County based on student enrollment, and Deadwood itself for historic preservation. Deadwood’s share increases from 10% in 2026 to 60% by 2029. The bill directly affects state budgets, Lawrence County communities, local schools, and Deadwood’s historic preservation efforts.
SB 45 prohibits the sale, distribution, or possession of specific cannabis products (including delta-8 THC, THC-O acetate, and hexahydrocannabinol) to individuals under 21 years old. It makes it a Class 6 felony to sell or distribute these products to minors, and a Class 2 misdemeanor for minors to possess or consume them, or for adults (other than parents/guardians) to provide them to minors. The law directly affects retailers, minors under 21, and adults who might supply these products to underage individuals. Penalties are clearly defined based on the specific violation.
South Dakota's SB 49 requires direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies to protect consumers' genetic data and privacy. It mandates clear privacy policies, separate express consent for each data use (including research, marketing, or sharing with third parties), and security programs to prevent unauthorized access. Companies must also allow consumers to access, delete their data, or request destruction of biological samples within 30 days of revoking consent. This law directly affects South Dakota residents using these services and genetic testing companies operating in the state.
SB 44 allows South Dakota's Attorney General to obtain business records from internet and telecom providers during criminal investigations of internet crimes against children or human trafficking. It requires judicial approval based on "reasonable cause" before issuing subpoenas for specific records like IP addresses, account details, and device information. Hughes County judges have statewide authority to approve these subpoenas, which cannot notify account holders, and obtained records must be used solely for law enforcement with privacy safeguards. The bill directly affects providers (including internet and telecom companies) by mandating compliance with court-ordered requests for targeted data.
