HB 1241 increases the property tax exemption amount for disabled veterans and surviving spouses in South Dakota. It amends existing law (§ 10-4-40 for veterans and § 10-4-41 for surviving spouses) to raise the value of a primary residence exempt from property taxes. Currently set at $225,000, this exemption applies to owner-occupied homes where the veteran is permanently and totally disabled from service-connected injuries, or to surviving spouses of such veterans. To qualify, applicants must submit a confidential form to the Department of Revenue and maintain occupancy; the exemption ends if they sell the home, stop living there, or remarry (for surviving spouses).
HB 1260 allows South Dakota municipalities to create programs that rebate property taxes on owner-occupied single-family homes within their borders. If a city or town adopts such a program through a local ordinance, it must provide rebates to qualifying homeowners who meet the criteria set by that ordinance. The bill specifically limits rebates to taxes levied directly by the municipality, not state or county taxes. This policy change gives local governments a tool to potentially reduce housing costs for residents, but only if they choose to implement such a program.
SB 220 directs South Dakota's Department of Corrections to conduct a study evaluating juvenile correctional and residential facilities. The study must examine best practices, therapeutic housing models, vocational training combined with mental health services, and staff-to-youth ratios, including inspections at three facilities outside South Dakota. The bill appropriates $50,000 from the general fund to cover study costs and requires a written report to the Legislative Research Council by September 1, 2026. This is a procedural study bill with no direct policy changes or new requirements for facilities, solely aimed at gathering information for future decisions.
SB 75 expands eligibility for South Dakota's cybersecurity services initiative to include nonprofit utility companies and utilities operated by local governments (like cities or counties). It appropriates $7 million from the general fund to the Attorney General's Office to fund cybersecurity infrastructure and administrative costs for eligible entities. The bill modifies existing law to allow these newly included organizations to access the initiative's resources, which previously covered only counties and municipalities. Funds must be used to protect IT assets and address specific cybersecurity needs of participating local governments and utilities. The initiative aims to improve cybersecurity across state government and service provider networks.
HB 1233 modifies South Dakota's tax collection agreements with Indian tribes by expanding the list of state taxes tribes can collect on behalf of the state. The bill adds 13 specific taxes to the existing list, including retail sales tax, cigarette tax, motor vehicle excise tax, and remote seller sales tax. Under the agreement, tribes would collect these taxes and the state would retain a set percentage of the collected revenue as an administrative fee. This directly affects tribal governments (as tax collectors) and South Dakota's Department of Revenue (as the state entity managing collections).
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.
This bill appropriates $425,000 from South Dakota's general fund to the Department of Revenue to provide tax refunds for real property tax and sales tax to elderly residents and individuals with disabilities. The refunds are based on existing laws (chapters 10-18A and 10-45A), with up to $20,000 allowed for administrative costs. The bill declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation and requires unspent funds by June 30, 2027, to revert to the general fund. It directly affects eligible elderly and disabled taxpayers by providing financial relief on specific taxes.
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.
SB 223 modifies South Dakota's process for school districts to refer excess tax levies to voter approval. It changes the petition signature requirement from a flat 50 voters to "at least five percent of the registered voters" in the school district. The bill also adjusts notice rules, waiving newspaper publication requirements if the district mails the resolution to all property taxpayers within 20 days. This affects school districts seeking voter input on tax increases and directly impacts local taxpayers who may petition to refer levy decisions.
SB 73 revises South Dakota's state financial practices by requiring state agencies to file consulting contracts with the state auditor within five days of final approval and display these contracts, along with other specified contracts (like those for $10,000+ services), on a public website. It mandates that agencies retain original claims, invoices, and vouchers for at least seven years. The bill also adjusts mileage reimbursement rates, setting a standard rate of 51 cents per mile (or the IRS business rate, whichever is greater) for regular state vehicle use, and increasing it to 68 cents per mile for vehicles transporting individuals with special needs. These changes focus on improving transparency, record-keeping, and standardizing financial procedures across state agencies.
