This bill updates South Dakota's background check requirements for school employees. It requires criminal background investigations for technical college instructors and student teachers during initial hiring, while allowing multi-district employees to use existing checks (within 5 years) if districts share results with written consent. School districts must report terminations due to criminal convictions to the Department of Education within 10 days. The bill exempts event referees from background checks and clarifies that districts may refuse employment for certain serious offenses like sex crimes or violence.
HB 1137 allocates $40 million from state funds for the design and construction of a new athletic facility at the University of South Dakota. The facility will include an indoor track, practice areas, seating for 2,000 spectators, and supporting amenities like locker rooms and training spaces. The bill allows for cost adjustments up to 125% of the original estimate to account for inflation or regulatory changes, and declares an emergency to expedite the project. Unspent funds would revert per state procedures, and the project cannot create state debt or liens. The bill directly affects the University of South Dakota's athletic programs and facilities.
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 1306 allows South Dakota residents to make charitable contributions to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) that provide funds for eligible students. Eligible students must be South Dakota residents under 19, from households earning no more than 300% of the area median income, and not enrolled full-time in public school. Scholarships can cover tuition at private schools or microschools, educational materials, technology, transportation to school, and college entrance exams, but cannot exceed 82.5% of the state’s per-student funding level. SGOs must register with the Education Department, spend no more than 10% of contributions on administration, and submit annual financial reports detailing scholarship distribution.
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.
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 1282 allows South Dakota school districts to admit children younger than five to kindergarten under specific conditions. It requires districts to adopt policies admitting children who will turn five between September 1 and December 1 of the school year and who demonstrate readiness for kindergarten through cognitive and social assessments. Parents may transfer their child to another district if their home district does not adopt such a policy. The bill directly affects young children, their families, and school districts by creating a structured pathway for early kindergarten enrollment.
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.
