Education

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1130: amend permissible uses of a school district's capital outlay fund.

HB 1130 amends South Dakota school districts' capital outlay fund rules to allow new uses. It specifically permits districts to spend these funds on textbooks (§ 13-16-6(5)(b)), instructional software purchases or renewals (§ 13-16-6(6)), and warranties for capital assets (excluding supplies, § 13-16-6(5)(a)). The bill also clarifies that districts may use up to 15% of transportation contracts or mileage reimbursement costs from this fund. Additionally, it allows transferring up to 45% of annual capital fund revenues to the general fund, while maintaining that small purchases ($1,000 or less) must come from the general fund instead. This directly affects South Dakota public school districts managing their capital budgets.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands permissible uses of capital funds for textbooks and instructional software, directly enhancing educational resource access and program support within existing funding framework.95% confidence

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1244: repeal the special donations fund and make an appropriation to the Department of Education for the provision of a grant to support the Jobs for America's Graduates-South Dakota program.

HB 1244 repeals South Dakota’s special donations fund (created under § 13-66-3) and appropriates $500,000 from the general fund to the Department of Education. This grant supports the Jobs for America's Graduates-South Dakota program by providing financial assistance to school districts and accredited nonpublic schools implementing the initiative. The funds must match private donations or federal grants for program operations and cannot be added to an endowment. It directly affects schools participating in the JAG program and transfers existing funds from the repealed special donations fund into the general fund. The bill takes effect June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals special fund and appropriates $500k from general fund to fund education program, directly supporting public service budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $500,000 from general fund to support Jobs for America's Graduates-South Dakota program for school districts and nonpublic schools, directly funding student transition services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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

Sub-Topics Revenue Higher Education School Choice

Track

signed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 84: increase thresholds for the value of and eligibility for the partners in education scholarship.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands scholarship eligibility, increasing state budget allocation for low-income education assistance by raising income thresholds.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases income threshold for scholarship eligibility, expanding access to low-income students for nonpublic school tuition assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1017: permit the board of a school district to require that certain students receive instruction in alternative settings.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides school boards a mechanism to address disruptive behavior in alternative settings, protecting school safety and enabling uninterrupted educational environments for all students.80% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education

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

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget School Funding

Track

signed · South Dakota · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 1137: make an appropriation for the design and construction of an athletic facility at the University of South Dakota and to declare an emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $40M state funds for public university facility construction, directly advancing budget appropriation for higher education infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $40M for university athletic facility infrastructure, directly funding higher education infrastructure per bill's appropriation for USD.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Debt & Bonds Higher Education

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 106: modify the amount required to be set aside for extraordinary expenses incurred in providing special education programs.

SB 106 modifies South Dakota's funding for special education by increasing the state's annual allocation for unforeseen costs. Starting July 1, 2026, $4.5 million must be set aside for extraordinary expenses in special education programs, rising annually by an inflation index starting July 1, 2027, with a maximum cap of $5.5 million per year. Unspent funds will not revert to the general state budget, ensuring they remain available for future special education needs. The bill directly affects school districts providing special education services to children with disabilities across South Dakota.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases dedicated state funding for special education with inflation adjustments, ensuring sustained budget allocation for public education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases special education funding allocation to $4.5M annually with inflation adjustments, ensuring dedicated resources for extraordinary expenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Special Education

in committee · South Dakota · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1205: amend the manner of calculating state aid to general and special education funding.

HB 1205 amends South Dakota's formula for calculating state aid to school districts for general and special education funding. It updates key definitions, including how "fall enrollment" is calculated (subtracting certain tuition-receiving students and adding those for whom the district pays tuition) and revises the target teacher ratio factor based on district size. The bill also establishes a new method for calculating target teacher compensation, linking it to the consumer price index and requiring annual adjustments. This directly affects all South Dakota public school districts receiving state education funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates state aid calculation formula and links teacher compensation to CPI, ensuring stable funding and fair pay for educators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Funding Teachers

Track

died · South Dakota · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 158: amend the manner in which a school district determines the district's enrollment for the purpose of calculating state aid to general education.

SB 158 changes how South Dakota school districts calculate enrollment for state education funding. It specifies that a district's fall enrollment - used to determine aid - must include all K-12 students enrolled on the last Friday of September, plus students the district pays tuition for, minus students it receives tuition for (excluding nonresident students in state care and students in specific special education programs). The bill also defines annual enrollment as the higher of the fall or spring enrollment counts. This directly affects all public school districts receiving state aid for general education by altering their funding calculation base.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill adjusts enrollment calculation for state education funding, ensuring accurate aid distribution. Specifies inclusion of tuition-paying students to maintain stable funding for school districts.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Funding

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