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.
HB 1147 appropriates $5 million from the general fund to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture for a single grant to a statewide food distribution organization. This organization must distribute food to all counties across South Dakota, with at least $1.5 million of the grant required to purchase food directly from local South Dakota farmers and producers. The bill mandates annual reports detailing grant spending, types/amounts of food purchased, and distribution to food pantries, to be submitted to the Department of Agriculture until the full grant is expended. The funding becomes effective June 30, 2026, and is intended to support food pantries statewide while prioritizing local agricultural purchases.
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.
SB 144 provides property tax relief to South Dakota seniors meeting specific criteria: individuals aged 65+ who have owned an owner-occupied single-family home for 10+ years, lived in the state for 25+ years, and have no delinquent property taxes. The bill establishes a property tax assessment freeze, locking the taxable value of qualifying homes at either the 2020 value or the value when the homeowner first qualified, preventing increases due to rising market values. Homeowners must apply through county treasurers with required documentation, and the freeze applies annually as long as the homeowner continues to meet eligibility. This directly affects eligible senior homeowners in South Dakota who own and reside in single-family homes meeting the defined residency and ownership requirements.
HB 1172 terminates school district excess tax levies approved before July 1, 2002, under South Dakota law. It prohibits these levies from being imposed in 2026 or any subsequent year. The bill directly affects school districts that previously secured voter-approved excess tax levies prior to 2002, ending their ability to collect these specific taxes moving forward. This is a procedural change that modifies existing tax authority without creating new programs or funding.
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.
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 1244 repeals South Dakota’s special donations fund (created under § 13-66-3) and appropriates $500,000 from the general fund to the Department of Education. This grant supports the Jobs for America's Graduates-South Dakota program by providing financial assistance to school districts and accredited nonpublic schools implementing the initiative. The funds must match private donations or federal grants for program operations and cannot be added to an endowment. It directly affects schools participating in the JAG program and transfers existing funds from the repealed special donations fund into the general fund. The bill takes effect June 30, 2026.
HB 1005 exempts sales and use taxes on data center equipment and software for businesses operating qualified data centers in South Dakota. It specifically covers servers, cooling systems, power infrastructure, security systems, and related technology used in facilities meeting strict criteria (e.g., built between 2026-2036, meeting fire safety standards). Qualified businesses must verify eligibility with the Department of Revenue and maintain compliance with electric utility agreements and water usage requirements. The tax exemption lasts 50 years from the facility's construction permit date. This directly affects data center operators seeking to reduce operational costs in South Dakota.
This bill authorizes the South Dakota Department of Corrections to demolish the Pierre Minimum Center in Pierre, South Dakota, and covers related costs including removal of structures, hazardous material abatement, and site restoration to grade. It appropriates $682,825 from the state general fund specifically for this demolition project. The Bureau of Human Resources and Administration will oversee the work, and the bill declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation upon approval. Unspent funds would revert to the state treasury per standard procedures.