This bill appropriates $5 million from the general fund to provide grants for volunteer fire departments in South Dakota to purchase safety gear (like helmets and suits) for their firefighters. It specifically targets departments where at least 70% of firefighters volunteer, prioritizing those with the greatest equipment needs. The Department of Public Safety will distribute funds based on application timing and need, with unspent funds reverting by June 2030. An emergency declaration allows the funding to take effect immediately upon passage.
SB 153 prohibits employment contracts from restricting community services providers (who work with individuals with developmental disabilities) from continuing to provide services after their employment ends. It makes contract clauses that block such continued service voidable, effective July 1, 2026. The law allows exceptions for provisions related to selling a practice or reasonable non-solicitation terms that comply with existing rules. This directly affects community services providers in South Dakota, ensuring they can maintain client relationships post-employment without undue contractual barriers.
HB 1279 permits technical college employees in South Dakota to join the state health plan, directly affecting permanent staff working 20+ hours weekly at least six months yearly. The bill requires the technical college’s local education agency (LEA) to pay equivalent monthly contributions instead of the state, and removes previous restrictions preventing these employees from enrolling. Key provisions include defining "technical college employee" and ensuring LEAs cover the same cost as the state does for other plan-eligible employees. The law takes effect July 1, 2027, and applies only to technical college staff, not other state workers.
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 1163 prohibits employers, schools, and public accommodations from requiring genetic-based vaccinations (defined as those using mRNA, DNA, or similar genetic technology) as a condition for employment, enrollment, or services. It also bans adverse actions like termination or denial of services based on vaccination status. The bill allows reasonable safety measures like masks or remote work but exempts healthcare facilities under federal rules, existing school vaccine requirements, health science program placements, court-ordered vaccinations, and the National Guard. This directly affects employers, educational institutions, and public service providers in South Dakota.
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.
