Budget & Taxes

failed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 196: increase the income limits for a property tax assessment freeze.

This bill increases the income limits for South Dakota's property tax assessment freeze program. It raises the current thresholds from $55,000 for single-member households and $65,000 for multiple-member households to higher levels that automatically adjust each year. The new limits will increase annually based on the greater of either the consumer price index (CPI) or the federal Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, starting January 1, 2027. This change helps more homeowners qualify for the tax freeze as inflation rises, directly affecting those with household incomes near the new thresholds who own and occupy single-family homes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax freeze eligibility for lower/middle-income homeowners by raising income thresholds annually with inflation, providing direct tax relief.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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failed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 205: revise registration fees for drones and establish a fund to support drone aviation.

SB 205 revises drone registration fees in South Dakota, charging 1.5% of purchase price for agricultural drones and 2% for all other drones. The collected fees fund a new "drone aviation fund" administered by the Board of Technical Education to support drone training grants at state technical colleges. This bill directly affects drone owners (especially agricultural users) by changing their registration tax rates and creating a dedicated funding source for drone industry workforce development. The fund will receive all drone registration fees and interest, with expenditures requiring annual budget approval. The bill does not apply to small unmanned aircraft systems covered under federal regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRevises drone registration fees (tax) to fund drone training grants, directly allocating tax revenue to support workforce development programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly funds drone training grants at state technical colleges via new aviation fund, supporting higher education workforce development.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates a dedicated fund for drone training grants at technical colleges, directly advancing workforce development in a growing industry and supporting employment standards through skill-building.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds drone training grants for industry workforce development, directly advancing drone technology sector through dedicated fee-based funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · South Dakota · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 225: apportion interest earnings from the unclaimed property trust fund to school districts.

SB 225 directs that 4% of the interest earnings from South Dakota's unclaimed property trust fund (without touching the principal) be distributed annually to school districts starting in fiscal year 2026. The funds will be apportioned to school districts based on their student enrollment, following the existing method used for other school funding. This adds a new source of revenue for school districts through the trust fund's interest, calculated using the fund's market value as of December 31 each year. The bill modifies existing statutes to implement this distribution, ensuring the funds are added to the general fund before being allocated to schools under current apportionment rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates 4% of unclaimed property trust fund interest earnings to school districts, increasing education funding without new taxes or spending cuts. This advances public service funding through fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds new school funding via unclaimed property interest earnings, apportioned by enrollment. Directly increases state aid to education per bill's funding mechanism.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · South Dakota · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1072: provide an appropriation for a payment for state employee salaries.

HB 1072 allocates $20.6 million in state and federal funds to provide South Dakota state employees with a payment equal to 1.5% of their January 1, 2026 salary. Starting July 1, 2026, each active state employee as of that date will receive this amount monthly in 12 equal installments. The payment applies only to employees still working at the time of each monthly disbursement, meaning no payments are made to those who left state employment before a payment date. The funds must be expended by June 30, 2027, with unused amounts reverting to the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $20.6M in state/federal funds for state employee salary payments via appropriation, directly advancing budget allocation for public sector compensation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides 1.5% salary payment to active state employees via $20.6M appropriation, directly increasing compensation for state workers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 195: repeal the expiration of a reduction in certain gross receipts and use tax rates.

SB 195 repeals the scheduled expiration of reduced gross receipts and use tax rates established in 2023. It prevents these tax rate reductions from reverting to prior rates after June 30, 2027. The bill directly affects businesses in South Dakota that pay these specific taxes, ensuring the lower rates remain in effect without requiring new legislation. This is a procedural change to maintain existing tax policy, not a new tax rate adjustment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMaintains reduced gross receipts/use tax rates for businesses, preventing rate increases and providing ongoing tax relief without new legislation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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signed · South Dakota · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1058: require licensure for online pari-mutuel wagering pools for horse and dog races, and clarify the application of tax therefor.

HB 1058 requires online betting platforms offering pari-mutuel wagering on horse or dog races to obtain a specific license from South Dakota. It clarifies that both in-state operators (with a physical presence) and out-of-state operators must pay a tax of 1.5% on South Dakota contributions, while multi-jurisdictional hubs pay 0.25% (with portions going to racing and breeding funds). The bill specifies that tax revenue will fund the state, a special racing revolving fund, and a South Dakota-bred racing fund. This applies only to online wagering for authorized horse and dog races, updating existing tax and licensing rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes 1.5% and 0.25% tax rates on online wagering to fund state treasury and racing programs, creating new revenue streams for budget allocation.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

failed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 187: define nonpublic school.

SB 187 defines "nonpublic school" in South Dakota law as an institution operated by individuals or groups (not publicly elected boards) that teaches math and English fundamentals to children of compulsory school age, with English instruction focused on mastery. The bill specifies that such schools may limit enrollment, charge tuition, receive grants or services from school districts, but cannot claim geographic territory for tax revenue or receive state education aid under Chapter 13-13. It also clarifies that nonpublic schools are not required to be accredited or have certified teachers. This definition applies to all nonpublic schools in South Dakota, establishing their legal boundaries for funding and operations.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill explicitly prohibits nonpublic schools from receiving state education aid (Chapter 13-13), restricting public funding allocation for private education institutions.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill explicitly restricts nonpublic schools from receiving state education aid (Chapter 13-13), limiting their funding access under education policy, aligning with 'defund' indicator.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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signed · South Dakota · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 1047: make an appropriation for the construction costs at the Blue Dog State Fish Hatchery, and to declare an emergency.

HB 1047 appropriates $8 million total ($3.5 million in federal funds and $4.5 million in other funds) to construct, renovate, and modernize infrastructure at the Blue Dog State Fish Hatchery. The funds cover facilities like heating, plumbing, laboratories, and equipment to support the hatchery’s operations. The bill declares an emergency to expedite the project, allowing immediate use of funds without standard delay procedures. It directs the Department of Game, Fish and Parks to manage the work and outlines payment processes for the project.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $8M for hatchery infrastructure, funding essential public construction project under state budget.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · South Dakota · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 1021: authorize the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources to dismantle and demolish buildings on the South Dakota State Fairgrounds, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.

HB 1021 authorizes South Dakota's Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources to dismantle and demolish specific structures at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron, including barns at Livestock Avenue and Market Street and Quonset huts on Lincoln Avenue South. The bill appropriates $337,000 for this work and allows the department to accept additional funding from federal sources or donations. It declares an emergency to expedite the demolition, repair infrastructure, and clear the land, with all funds restricted to these specific projects. The measure directly affects the physical property of the fairgrounds, not broader public policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $337,000 for specific infrastructure demolition, directly allocating state budget funds for a designated project.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 84: increase thresholds for the value of and eligibility for the partners in education scholarship.

SB 84 increases the income threshold for students to qualify for South Dakota's Partners in Education scholarship program. It raises the initial income requirement from 152% to a higher percentage of the national free/reduced-price lunch income standard (currently 152% for initial eligibility), directly affecting low-income students seeking tuition assistance at participating nonpublic schools. The bill maintains that students who qualify initially remain eligible for three years or until high school graduation without income checks, but must later meet a 250% income threshold to renew. This change expands access to the scholarship program by allowing more households to qualify under the new higher income cap.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands scholarship eligibility, increasing state budget allocation for low-income education assistance by raising income thresholds.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases income threshold for scholarship eligibility, expanding access to low-income students for nonpublic school tuition assistance.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes