HB 1251 creates two new state funds: the "target teacher salary supplement fund" (administered by the Department of Education) and the "community-based providers methodology supplement fund" (administered by the Department of Human Services). The bill directs that unspent state funds from the previous fiscal year - after a portion is placed in a budget reserve - be split equally (30% each) into these two new funds. These funds will directly support increases in teacher salaries and provider rates for community-based services, as specified in existing law. The transfers occur automatically each year through the state's budget process, with expenditures requiring annual legislative approval.
HB 1290 amends South Dakota's education funding law by updating how school districts calculate their fall enrollment for state aid. It specifies that nonresident students in state care (e.g., foster care) must be included in enrollment counts, while students in residential treatment facilities must be excluded. The bill also revises the formula for determining the "teacher ratio factor," setting fixed ratios (12 for districts under 200 students, 15 for districts over 600 students) or a calculation-based ratio for medium-sized districts. These changes directly affect all public school districts in South Dakota receiving state aid for general education.
SB 157 amends South Dakota's school funding formula to require using an *average fall enrollment* (instead of enrollment on a single date) when calculating a school district's "local need" for state funding. This directly affects all public school districts in South Dakota by changing how their student enrollment count is determined for funding calculations. The bill replaces the current method - using enrollment on the last Friday of September - with an average, which could stabilize funding by smoothing out seasonal enrollment fluctuations. The change applies specifically to the calculation of "local need" under § 13-13-10.1(32) in the education funding code.
HB 1113 establishes a downpayment assistance program for manufactured or mobile home buyers in South Dakota. The program provides zero-interest loans of up to $10,000 per applicant from a $5 million revolving fund in the South Dakota housing infrastructure fund. Eligibility requires household income below 120% of the state median income and purchasing a home meeting federal safety standards and local zoning requirements for single-family residences. Repayments return to the fund to support new loans, with loans secured by a second lien due upon home sale or repayment of the primary mortgage. This directly assists low-to-moderate income residents seeking to purchase qualifying manufactured or mobile homes.
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.
HB 1239 requires South Dakota's Department of Education to pay the full salary and benefits for all teachers employed by public school districts, replacing the previous system where districts covered these costs. The bill establishes a state-mandated salary schedule that must include increases based on a teacher's certification demand, highest degree, and years of experience, with benefits set at a minimum of 29% of salary. It also limits school districts from exceeding a target teacher ratio factor (calculated by enrollment size) without state approval. This directly affects all South Dakota public school districts and their teaching staff by shifting funding responsibility to the state.
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.
SB 135 requires data center operators to pay all electricity costs associated with their facilities, preventing utilities from raising residential rates to cover these expenses (Section 3). It also prohibits tax exemptions for data centers (Section 5) and ensures local governments retain authority to regulate data center development (Section 4). The bill mandates data centers to report projected water usage to local providers and the Board of Water Management before operation, with annual reports on actual consumption (Sections 6-7), ensuring water allocation prioritizes residential and essential services. This directly affects data center operators, utilities, and South Dakota residents by limiting cost-shifting and protecting local resource management.
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.
SB 200 amends South Dakota's state aid formula for funding public school districts' general and special education programs. The bill establishes a base teacher salary of $62,821.19 for the 2025 school year, with annual increases tied to inflation (using the consumer price index). It updates how school districts calculate their funding by revising definitions for enrollment counts, English learner adjustments, and local need factors. This change directly affects all South Dakota public school districts by altering how state education funding is determined each year.
