Technology

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 98: prevent virtual currency kiosk fraud.

SB 98 requires operators of virtual currency kiosks in South Dakota to obtain a license under existing financial regulations (Chapter 51A-17). It mandates detailed reporting to the state, including transaction volumes, user complaints, refund requests, and suspicious activity. The bill also requires kiosk operators to provide users with receipts containing transaction details, exchange rates, virtual currency addresses, and refund policies. These provisions directly affect kiosk operators (licensees) and users engaging in virtual currency transactions at these locations. The law aims to increase transparency and accountability in virtual currency kiosk operations.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates virtual currency kiosks with licensing and reporting requirements to prevent fraud, aligning with consumer protection in technology regulations.85% confidence

failed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 205: revise registration fees for drones and establish a fund to support drone aviation.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRevises drone registration fees (tax) to fund drone training grants, directly allocating tax revenue to support workforce development programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly funds drone training grants at state technical colleges via new aviation fund, supporting higher education workforce development.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates a dedicated fund for drone training grants at technical colleges, directly advancing workforce development in a growing industry and supporting employment standards through skill-building.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds drone training grants for industry workforce development, directly advancing drone technology sector through dedicated fee-based funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Emerging Technology

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passed · South Dakota · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 1005: provide a sales and use tax exemption for goods and services related to data center operations.

HB 1005 exempts sales and use taxes on data center equipment and software for businesses operating qualified data centers in South Dakota. It specifically covers servers, cooling systems, power infrastructure, security systems, and related technology used in facilities meeting strict criteria (e.g., built between 2026-2036, meeting fire safety standards). Qualified businesses must verify eligibility with the Department of Revenue and maintain compliance with electric utility agreements and water usage requirements. The tax exemption lasts 50 years from the facility's construction permit date. This directly affects data center operators seeking to reduce operational costs in South Dakota.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill grants tax exemption for data centers, reducing state tax revenue by excluding sales/use taxes on qualifying equipment and services.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyTax exemption for data center equipment incentivizes infrastructure investment, directly advancing technology sector growth through financial support for critical tech infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 41: revise a provision related to criminal invasions of privacy, prohibit the creation and distribution of digitally fabricated material of an identifiable individual, and provide penalties therefor.

SB 41 revises South Dakota's criminal invasion of privacy law to prohibit creating, distributing, or selling digitally manipulated images or videos that falsely depict an identifiable person as nude or engaged in sexual acts. It specifically targets content that appears authentic to an ordinary person but was altered to misrepresent the individual. The law defines "digitally fabricated material" as manipulated images, videos, or depictions that falsely show an identifiable person in states of nudity or sexual activity. Violating this provision is a Class 5 felony, with penalties applying when the manipulated content is shared to harass or embarrass the person depicted.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects civil rights by penalizing non-consensual deepfakes, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits non-consensual deepfakes and digitally fabricated content, directly protecting individuals' privacy through criminal penalties for misuse of technology.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

passed both · South Dakota · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 110: regulate how broadband internet access service providers use customer data.

SB 110 requires broadband internet providers in South Dakota to obtain explicit customer permission ("opt-in consent") before using, sharing, or selling most types of personal customer data, including location, health details, device identifiers, and financial information. It directly affects broadband service providers (like local internet companies) and their customers by mandating clear consent mechanisms that are easy to understand and use. Key provisions include prohibiting providers from charging higher prices or denying service based on a customer’s refusal to consent, and requiring that consent requests be conspicuous, non-misleading, and available at no extra cost. The law applies specifically to "broadband internet access service providers" as defined in the bill, covering data collected through the customer-provider relationship.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates opt-in consent for data use, strengthening consumer data privacy protections under technology regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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failed · South Dakota · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1246: prohibit nondisclosure of certain agreements related to data centers.

HB 1246 prohibits state agencies and local governments from signing agreements with private entities that require secrecy about data center projects. It mandates that any agreement for building, developing, or locating a data center must be treated as a public record, making its terms accessible to the public. The bill defines a data center as a facility storing, processing, or managing electronic data. This ensures transparency by preventing confidential clauses in such agreements, allowing public access to project details without secrecy restrictions.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates public access to data center agreements, ensuring transparency in tech infrastructure contracts and aligning with data privacy protections by preventing secrecy around data handling terms.85% confidence

Tags Government Transparency

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signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 111: require that social media companies provide collected personal data of a user at the user's request and maintain transparent interoperability interfaces.

SB 111 requires social media companies operating in South Dakota to give users access to their collected personal data upon request and maintain transparent, publicly available technical standards (open protocols) that allow different social media platforms to share user data. It directly affects social media companies by mandating data access for users and requiring interoperability interfaces that are free from licensing fees or patent restrictions. Key provisions define "personal data" as information linked to an identifiable individual (excluding de-identified or public data) and specify that interoperability must enable data exchange between platforms via open protocols. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes: user data access and standardized data-sharing mechanisms, without specifying enforcement or penalties.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates user data access and transparent interoperability, advancing data privacy and digital rights through consumer control of personal information.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Social Media

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 75: amend the type of entities eligible to participate in the cybersecurity services initiative.

SB 75 expands eligibility for South Dakota's cybersecurity services initiative to include nonprofit utility companies and utilities operated by local governments (like cities or counties). It appropriates $7 million from the general fund to the Attorney General's Office to fund cybersecurity infrastructure and administrative costs for eligible entities. The bill modifies existing law to allow these newly included organizations to access the initiative's resources, which previously covered only counties and municipalities. Funds must be used to protect IT assets and address specific cybersecurity needs of participating local governments and utilities. The initiative aims to improve cybersecurity across state government and service provider networks.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $7M from general fund for cybersecurity infrastructure, increasing state spending on public service funding per budget topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands cybersecurity funding to nonprofits and local utilities, enhancing infrastructure access per bill's intent to strengthen cybersecurity resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Cybersecurity

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 1229: require the inclusion of certain features within a manufacturer's application store or on a developer's application.

HB 1229 requires app stores (manufacturers) and app developers to include specific features for user transparency. Specifically, app stores must list all purchasable goods/services with prices on app pages, and developers must provide an easy-to-access feature allowing users to view those prices and cancel subscriptions. The bill applies to all app stores and developers operating in South Dakota, with requirements deemed "technologically feasible." Violations trigger a 90-day cure period before the attorney general can impose civil penalties up to $1,000 per incident. The law focuses on mandatory disclosure and user control, not on creating new private legal claims.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires app store transparency on pricing and subscription cancellation, enhancing consumer protection in digital transactions. This aligns with supporting technology policies for user rights.85% confidence

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died · South Dakota · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 169: place requirements on the use of artificial intelligence systems by health carriers in making determinations about the provision of health care services.

SB 169 requires South Dakota health insurers to follow specific rules when using artificial intelligence (AI) systems to make coverage decisions for health care services. The bill mandates that AI tools must base decisions on individual patient medical history, clinical circumstances, and relevant clinical data - not just group data - and must apply equally to all patients with similar needs. It also prohibits AI from denying or delaying coverage; only licensed doctors or healthcare professionals can make such final decisions after reviewing patient-specific details. Insurers must submit annual reports detailing AI usage and human oversight, and the state insurance division can inspect systems for compliance. This directly affects health insurers and their AI systems used in coverage determinations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits AI from denying/delaying coverage and mandates individualized, equitable decisions, protecting patient access and rights in healthcare coverage determinations.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI use in health insurance to prevent coverage denial/delay and require individual patient data, aligning with consumer protection in technology.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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