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

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 79: make an appropriation to the South Dakota Board of Technical Education to construct an advanced manufacturing laboratory space and classrooms on the campus of Southeast Technical College and to declare an emergency.

SB 79 appropriates $6 million from South Dakota's general fund to build an advanced manufacturing lab and classrooms at Southeast Technical College. The college must first secure $18 million in outside funding (gifts, grants, etc.) before the state funds are released, with no bonds allowed for the project. The bill declares an emergency to expedite the construction, requiring the state auditor to pay for approved expenses. This directly affects Southeast Technical College students, faculty, and local manufacturing industry partners by expanding hands-on training facilities. The funding is conditional on the college meeting its financial match requirement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $6M from state general fund for higher education infrastructure, directly funding public construction through budget allocation despite requiring outside funding first.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $6M for technical college infrastructure, directly enhancing higher education facilities and student access per bill summary.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1089: modify the distributions of revenues collected from severance taxation on new permits.

HB 1089 modifies how South Dakota distributes severance tax revenue from precious metals mining. It changes the rules for permits issued on or after July 1, 2026: 80% of the tax revenue goes to the state general fund, while 20% is sent to the county where mining occurs. Unlike previous rules, this 20% county share cannot be reduced if a mining company is acquired. The bill also maintains that revenue from mining on state-owned land must go to the common school permanent fund. This directly affects new mining permit holders after 2026 and the counties where they operate.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs severance tax revenue to state general fund (80%), counties (20% protected), and common school fund, ensuring specific funding streams for budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates severance tax revenue from state-owned mining land to common school permanent fund, directly funding K-12 education.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1082: establish parameters for the reimbursement of school districts that provide free or reduced-price meals to students.

HB 1082 requires South Dakota school districts to provide free or reduced-price meals to eligible students without charging them, as defined by federal programs (National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program) starting January 1, 2026. The bill mandates that the South Dakota Department of Education reimburse school districts for costs incurred on these meals, after subtracting any federal reimbursement received. This directly affects school districts serving students qualifying for federal meal programs and ensures state funding covers the gap between federal support and actual meal costs. The law amends Section 13-35-2 of South Dakota law to clarify these reimbursement parameters.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates state reimbursement for school meal costs, ensuring continued access to free/reduced meals without district financial burden, directly supporting student access and school funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

in committee · South Dakota · House Mar 2, 2026

HB 1202: authorize the construction of a trades center on the campus of Lake Area Technical College, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $5.2M from state general fund for public college infrastructure, directly funding higher education through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $5.2M for new technical training facilities at Lake Area Technical College, directly funding higher education infrastructure and program expansion per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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died · South Dakota · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 1073: provide for the creation of a cardiac emergency plan in every school and to make an appropriation therefor.

HB 1073 requires every public and accredited nonpublic school in South Dakota to create a cardiac emergency response plan. The bill mandates schools to develop these plans with local emergency services, including forming response teams, placing accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in schools and athletic venues, and training staff in CPR and AED use. Schools must conduct annual drills and maintain AEDs, with specific training requirements for coaches, athletic trainers, nurses, and response team members. This law directly affects all South Dakota schools and aims to improve emergency response for heart-related incidents during school activities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly mandates an appropriation for school cardiac emergency programs, funding essential safety infrastructure and training per legislative requirement.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates cardiac emergency plans, AEDs, and staff training in schools, enhancing student safety and school infrastructure within education context.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates cardiac emergency plans, AED access, and staff training in schools, directly improving emergency medical response access for students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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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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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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