Education

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1313: require education in prenatal human growth and development.

This bill requires South Dakota public schools to teach prenatal human growth and development in health or science classes using specific materials. It mandates that schools use resources recommended by the state Board of Education, including at least three minutes of high-definition ultrasound videos showing organ development or computer-generated animations of prenatal growth from fertilization to birth. The law prohibits using any materials from entities that perform, promote, or refer to abortion services. This directly affects K-12 public school curricula in South Dakota, altering required health/science content.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill mandates specific curriculum content and materials, prohibiting alternatives, restricting educational curriculum freedom and academic choices in schools.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

in committee · South Dakota · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 1204: create the South Dakota school construction fund, provide for the transfer of moneys to the fund, and make an appropriation therefor.

HB 1204 creates the South Dakota school construction fund, administered by the Department of Education, to provide zero-interest loans to school districts for building or expanding school facilities. Loans cover up to 40% of a project's cost, with repayment over 20 years at 0% interest and no collateral required. Funds are allocated 30% to districts with 4,000+ students and 70% to other districts, beginning with a $1 transfer from the general fund (replenished by loan repayments). The bill also establishes reporting requirements for the Department of Education to a legislative committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates sustainable school construction fund with zero-interest loans, funding essential education infrastructure without new taxes or immediate budget strain.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates zero-interest loans for school construction, funding infrastructure improvements directly supporting K-12 facilities per education needs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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in committee · South Dakota · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 174: make an appropriation to defray the operational costs of school districts.

Senate Bill 174 appropriates $5 million from the general fund to the South Dakota Department of Education to help cover school districts' operational costs, such as staffing and supplies. The funds will be distributed directly to school districts based on each district's 2026 fall enrollment relative to the state's total enrollment. Districts must use the funds for day-to-day operational expenses, not capital projects, and any unspent money by June 30, 2027, will revert to the state. This bill affects all public school districts in South Dakota through their 2026 enrollment figures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $5M from general fund to fund school operational costs, directly supporting public education spending within state budget framework.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $5M for school districts' operational costs (staffing/supplies), directly funding day-to-day educational operations per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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in committee · South Dakota · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SB 213: create the building opportunity through out-of-school time program and the building opportunity through out-of-school time program fund, authorize a new fee, make an appropriation therefor, and transfer moneys to the building opportunity through out-of-school time program fund.

This bill creates the "Building Opportunity Through Out-of-School Time Program" and establishes a dedicated state fund to support after-school and summer programs for students. The program fund, administered by the South Dakota Department of Education, provides grants to eligible providers (like school districts or qualified nonprofits) to cover staffing, materials, and transportation costs for evidence-based out-of-school time programming. Priority is given to programs serving under-served students, fostering community partnerships, and supplementing existing funding. The fund is supported by a new fee and state appropriations, with grants distributed annually based on applications submitted between August 1 and September 30.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated fund and appropriates state money for after-school programs, advancing public education funding through new grants and fee authorization.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates dedicated state fund for after-school programs, allocates grants to expand educational access for under-served students through evidence-based programming.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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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 No ✗ Opposes Education

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passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 218: provide for the establishment of charter schools.

SB 218 establishes a legal framework for charter schools in South Dakota. It defines charter schools as public schools operating under contracts with school districts or the state education department, granting them exemptions from most state education laws while requiring compliance with civil rights, health/safety rules, and standardized testing. The bill mandates annual performance reporting to the state, outlines application requirements for nonprofit organizers (including community support and financial plans), and specifies that charter schools must serve grades K-12 nonsectarianly without religious instruction. This directly affects school districts (as authorizing entities), nonprofit organizers seeking to open charter schools, and students enrolled in these schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes legal framework for charter schools, expanding public school options and access within K-12 education system.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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passed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 97: adjust a limit on the percentage increase in revenue payable from property taxes.

Senate Bill 97 adjusts property tax revenue limits for South Dakota taxing districts and school districts. For school districts, it changes the annual revenue increase cap from "lesser of 3% or index factor" to a flat 3% over the prior year's revenue, effective 2021. For general taxing districts, it adds a specific 3.5% cap on revenue increases above normal limits for taxes payable in 2027-2031. The bill also clarifies that property improvements to owner-occupied homes increasing value by 40% or less do not count toward the revenue limit. These changes directly affect local governments and school districts managing property tax revenue.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill imposes fixed caps on property tax revenue increases (3% for schools, 3.5% for general districts), restricting revenue growth and limiting fiscal flexibility.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill caps school district revenue increases at 3% flat, restricting potential funding growth vs. previous variable cap (lesser of 3% or index factor).92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

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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 Yes ✗ Opposes Education

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