Budget & Taxes

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 55: make an appropriation for the payment of extraordinary litigation expenses and to declare an emergency.

SB 55 appropriates $650,000 from South Dakota's general fund to the state's "extraordinary litigation fund" to cover eligible legal costs under § 1-33-8.11. The bill directly affects the state government, specifically the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration, which will approve payments for these expenses. It declares an emergency to allow immediate funding, with unspent funds reverting per standard state procedures. The bill provides no new legal requirements but allocates existing funds for ongoing litigation costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $650k from general fund for litigation expenses, a standard budget action supporting fiscal management of government spending.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 72: extend the time for reverting moneys appropriated for the modernization of the state's enterprise resource planning systems.

This bill extends the deadline for unspent funds allocated to modernize South Dakota's state enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. It amends existing law to delay the date when unused funds must revert to the general fund from June 30, 2029. The change directly affects state agencies managing the ERP modernization project, providing additional time to obligate or spend these funds. The key mechanism is modifying the reversion date in the 2023 appropriations law without altering the funding amount or project scope.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends deadline for ERP funds to prevent premature reversion to general fund, promoting efficient fiscal management of allocated appropriations without altering funding levels.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

passed · South Dakota · House Mar 2, 2026

HB 1261: provide a tax credit for owner-occupied property, to make an appropriation therefor, and to transfer moneys to the general fund.

HB 1261 provides a property tax credit for homeowners of single-family residences in South Dakota, reducing their 2027 property tax bills by up to $500 or the full tax amount owed, whichever is lower. The credit applies automatically to tax bills sent by county treasurers for owner-occupied homes. To fund the credit, $120 million is reallocated from the housing infrastructure fund ($60 million) and the general fund/budget reserve ($60 million each), with the state treasurer transferring funds to cover the revenue loss. This policy directly affects single-family homeowners paying property taxes in 2027, while the funding mechanism ensures no new state revenue is required.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax credit for homeowners, reducing tax burden via budget reallocation from housing and general funds, aligning with tax relief and fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides property tax credit for homeowners, directly supporting property rights as defined in the housing topic.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

failed · South Dakota · House Mar 2, 2026

HB 1086: make an appropriation for providing a grant to a nonprofit that delivers programming to support offenders and correctional staff.

HB 1086 appropriates $2.7 million from the general fund to the South Dakota Department of Corrections for a grant to a nonprofit organization. The nonprofit must provide trauma-informed programming - including leadership development and skills training - to both offenders and correctional staff at three specific state prisons: South Dakota State Penitentiary, Mike Durfee State Prison, and South Dakota Women's Prison. To qualify, the nonprofit must currently operate such programming at a state facility and plan to serve all three prisons, as verified by the Department of Corrections. Unspent funds by June 30, 2031, will revert to the state treasury.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $2.7M from general fund for correctional programming grant, directly funding a state budget allocation for essential correctional services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds trauma-informed rehabilitation programs for offenders/staff at prisons, aiming to reduce recidivism through skills training and leadership development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 116: make an appropriation for the design and construction of an indoor athletics facility at Dakota State University and to declare an emergency.

SB 116 appropriates $13.33 million for the design and construction of an indoor athletic facility at Dakota State University's Beacom PREMIER Complex in Madison. It directly affects Dakota State University's athletic programs and campus infrastructure. The bill authorizes the Board of Regents to use the funds for the project, including related services like utilities and landscaping, and allows adjustments for inflation (capped at 125% of the original estimate). It also permits accepting additional funds from federal sources or donations into a dedicated project fund, while declaring an emergency to expedite the funding. The facility will support athletic practice and competition, with no state liability for related expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $13.33M for university facility construction, directly allocating state budget funds under public construction and higher education subjects.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds athletic facility construction at Dakota State University (higher education), directly supporting campus infrastructure under education topic's infrastructure focus.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

in committee · South Dakota · House Mar 2, 2026

HB 1202: authorize the construction of a trades center on the campus of Lake Area Technical College, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.

This bill appropriates $5.2 million from the state general fund to construct a trades center at Lake Area Technical College, providing new classrooms, labs, and student services for technical training programs. The college must secure matching funds from non-state sources (gifts, grants, etc.) equal to the state appropriation before the funds are released. The legislature declared an emergency to expedite the project, which will not use bonds for completion and requires approval of expenditures by the Department of Education and state auditor. The center directly affects students and staff at Lake Area Technical College by expanding hands-on training facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $5.2M from state general fund for public college infrastructure, directly funding higher education through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $5.2M for new technical training facilities at Lake Area Technical College, directly funding higher education infrastructure and program expansion per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 2, 2026

HB 1018: amend the reversion date for moneys appropriated to the Department of Education to improve and renovate the Cultural Heritage Center.

HB 1018 amends the deadline for unused funds allocated to the South Dakota Department of Education for renovating the Cultural Heritage Center. The bill specifies that any money not spent by June 30, 2028, must revert to the state treasury, preventing funds from being carried over indefinitely. This directly affects the Department of Education’s budget management for this specific renovation project. The change clarifies the existing reversion timeline without altering the deadline, ensuring funds are used within the established timeframe.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enforces fiscal responsibility by requiring unspent education renovation funds to revert to treasury by 2028, preventing indefinite carryover.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SB 67: make an appropriation for costs related to emergencies and disasters impacting the state and to declare an emergency.

SB 67 appropriates $4,205,497 from the general fund to a special emergency and disaster fund for costs related to emergencies or disasters impacting South Dakota, as defined by existing law. The bill directs the Department of Public Safety Secretary to approve payments and the state auditor to issue warrants for these expenses. It also declares an immediate state emergency to authorize the spending, effective upon passage. The funding directly supports state agencies managing disaster-related costs, with no new policy provisions beyond the financial allocation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $4.2M from general fund for disaster management, directly funding state emergency response under budgetary authority.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SB 68: make an appropriation for costs related to the suppression of wildfires impacting the state and to declare an emergency.

SB 68 appropriates $2,652,561 from the general fund to the state fire suppression special revenue fund to cover costs for suppressing wildfires across South Dakota. The bill authorizes the Department of Public Safety to approve payments for firefighting expenses and declares an emergency to allow immediate spending. Unspent funds must revert to the general fund per state law. This is a one-time funding measure specifically for active wildfire suppression efforts, not prevention or recovery.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2.65M from general fund for emergency wildfire suppression, aligning with fiscal responsibility by funding essential public safety service with unspent funds reverting to general fund.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · South Dakota · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 1118: make an appropriation for the design and construction of an addition to the existing swine wean-to-finish barn at South Dakota State University and to declare an emergency.

HB 1118 appropriates $1,720,000 to fund the design and construction of a new wean-to-finish barn addition at South Dakota State University's swine research facility. The bill directly affects SDSU's agricultural programs and swine research operations by enabling facility upgrades for raising pigs from weaning to market weight. Key provisions include allowing cost adjustments for inflation (up to 125% of the initial amount), accepting external funds (like federal grants or donations), and declaring an emergency to expedite funding. The bill does not alter existing laws but provides specific funding for this infrastructure project.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $1.72M for SDSU facility construction, directly funding a public university project under budgetary allocation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes