HB 1017 allows South Dakota school boards to require students exhibiting aggressive or violent behaviors that disrupt school safety or operations to receive instruction in alternative learning environments. This policy directly affects students whose conduct poses a threat to school safety, providing school districts with a formal mechanism to address such disruptions. The bill explicitly states it does not override existing enrollment options under state law or conflict with federal special education protections (IDEA and Section 504). It focuses solely on school safety responses, with no changes to special education eligibility or placement procedures.
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.
This bill reduces property taxes for homeowners by lowering the mill levy rate on owner-occupied single-family homes from $5.21 to $20.51 per $1,000 of taxable value (with the exact figure clarified in the bill text). It simultaneously raises the state sales tax from 4.2% to 4.7% for 2026-2027 and to 5% after 2027, and expands the gross receipts tax to cover more services like dry cleaning, beauty shops, and rentals. The revenue from these tax increases is explicitly allocated to replace lost school district property tax revenue and fund pay raises for state and school employees. The bill ensures school districts maintain their total funding levels under the new system.
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.
HB 1098 adjusts South Dakota's special education funding formula by establishing annual per-student funding amounts for six disability levels (e.g., $7,650.45 for "level one" disabilities in 2025) that increase yearly based on inflation (using the Consumer Price Index or 3%, whichever is lower). It also requires school districts to reduce local tax levies if local revenue growth exceeds student need growth statewide. The bill directly affects South Dakota school districts (which receive the funding) and students with disabilities (who qualify for services based on their disability level). Key provisions include standardized funding rates per disability classification and a new $1.26 per $1,000 valuation local levy rate for 2026 and beyond.
HB 1168 creates a property tax credit for South Dakota homeowners who pay for qualifying K-12 education expenses for children aged 5-19. The credit covers tuition, school fees (including sports/fine arts), textbooks, tutoring, test fees, transportation, and educational technology. It limits the credit to $1,000 per year or 80% of the school district taxes owed. Homeowners must apply annually by June 1st with documentation from the school or alternative instruction provider.
HB 1291 amends South Dakota's formula for calculating school district funding by changing how "fall enrollment" is determined. It specifically adjusts the count of students in state custody (like foster care) and those receiving tuition from other districts when calculating a district's base funding. The bill also updates the method for calculating "target teacher ratio" based on district size and ties future teacher salary adjustments to the consumer price index (inflation). These changes directly affect how much state funding school districts receive under South Dakota's education finance system.
HB 1131 amends how South Dakota school districts calculate their fall enrollment for state education funding. The bill specifically requires districts to exclude students residing in residential treatment facilities (when the facility operates the education program) from their enrollment count used in the funding formula. This change directly affects school districts serving students in such facilities, potentially altering their state funding amounts based on revised enrollment calculations. The amendment clarifies an existing definition within the state's education funding structure without changing other elements like teacher salary formulas or English learner adjustments.
HB 1078 requires South Dakota's Board of Education to amend administrative rules by September 2026 to update high school graduation coursework requirements. The bill mandates specific credit counts: 4 units of language arts (including writing, speech, and American literature), 3 social studies units (U.S. history and government), 3 math units (including Algebra I), 3 science units (including biology), plus required courses in personal finance, fine arts, physical education, health, and electives. It allows substitutions for one science credit using approved advanced computer science or agriculture science courses (but not for biology), and permits up to one fine arts credit through extracurricular activities with documented alignment to state standards. This directly affects all South Dakota public high school students and school districts implementing graduation standards.
HB 1008 requires South Dakota schools to amend administrative rules to allow students to earn high school credit for participation in extracurricular athletics. Specifically, it permits up to one fine arts credit (max 1/4 credit per activity per year) and up to one-half physical education credit (max 1/4 credit per varsity athletic activity per year) through school-sanctioned activities. School districts must document how these activities align with state standards for fine arts and physical education. The amendment must be filed by September 30, 2026, directly affecting South Dakota high school students and school districts.
