Rep. Drew Peterson

Maddy summaryHB 1311 requires South Dakota's Board of Technical Education and Board of Regents to annually report funding received from specified foreign sources to public institutions they oversee. The bill defines "foreign sources" as governments or entities from China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or Venezuela, or foreign-owned organizations over 10% controlled by them. Institutions must disclose the amount, source, purpose, and documentation of such funding (excluding tuition payments) in a public annual report due by August 31 each year. This transparency measure applies only to funding received on or after July 1, 2026, and does not affect existing confidential information.

Maddy summarySB 240 appropriates $5 million from South Dakota's general fund to create a rural access infrastructure fund, directly affecting all counties by providing funding for infrastructure improvements on township and county secondary roads. Funds are distributed to counties based on their proportion of small structures (like bridges or culverts) on these roads relative to the statewide total, calculated using data reported to the Department of Transportation. The bill requires the Department of Revenue to distribute no more than one-third of the funds annually across fiscal years 2026-2028, with unspent funds reverting by June 2031. It declares an emergency to expedite implementation, focusing solely on the concrete funding mechanism and distribution rules without advocating for outcomes.

Maddy summarySB 130 appropriates $8 million from South Dakota's general fund to the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority. The funds must cover public roadway and infrastructure improvements directly needed due to construction at Ellsworth Air Force Base, including road reconstruction, safety upgrades, and traffic studies. The authority must report annually on how funds were used and cannot spend more than 3% of the appropriation on administrative costs. This bill specifically affects infrastructure supporting Ellsworth Air Force Base operations and surrounding public roads.

Maddy summarySB 36 requires electric utilities and wholesale electricity generators in South Dakota to develop and submit wildfire mitigation plans to either the Public Utilities Commission or their local governing body (like a city council). These plans must include specific strategies for risk assessment, infrastructure inspections, vegetation management, and community outreach to reduce wildfire risks. Utilities must also submit annual compliance reports by April 1st each year, with filing fees of $500 for initial plans and $250 for reports. The bill establishes a standardized process for these plans and reports but does not specify liability protections beyond the plan requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a legislative commemoration honoring Dale Weber, a longtime leader in South Dakota amateur baseball who served as president of the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Association for 37 years. The resolution formally recognizes his contributions to growing the sport in the state and his dedication to introducing young people to baseball over four decades. It acknowledges his passing on February 27, 2026, and celebrates his legacy as "Mr. Amateur Baseball" bestowed by the association upon his retirement. The bill does not create new laws or policies but instead serves as an official state recognition of his life and work.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 1035 clarifies definitions for public accountant licensure in South Dakota by amending Section 36-20B-1 of the state code. The bill updates terms like "Owner" (to include nonlicensees in CPA firms), "Peer review," and "Principal place of business" to better reflect current practice standards. It directly affects licensed public accountants, CPA firms, and the South Dakota Board of Accountancy by standardizing terminology used in licensing rules. This is a procedural amendment focused solely on definition clarity, not new requirements or fees.

Maddy summaryHB 1147 appropriates $5 million from the general fund to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture for a single grant to a statewide food distribution organization. This organization must distribute food to all counties across South Dakota, with at least $1.5 million of the grant required to purchase food directly from local South Dakota farmers and producers. The bill mandates annual reports detailing grant spending, types/amounts of food purchased, and distribution to food pantries, to be submitted to the Department of Agriculture until the full grant is expended. The funding becomes effective June 30, 2026, and is intended to support food pantries statewide while prioritizing local agricultural purchases.

Maddy summaryThis resolution supports South Dakota's request to Congress for authorization and federal funding of specific rural water projects identified by the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems (SDARWS). It directly affects rural communities across South Dakota relying on four key regional systems: Dakota Mainstem (central/southern), Western Dakota (western), Lewis and Clark (expansion planning), and Water Investment in Northern SD. The resolution urges coordination between local water providers, state agencies, and federal partners to advance these projects through congressional authorization under the Bureau of Reclamation. It does not create new projects but formally requests federal action to enable existing regional water supply solutions addressing documented water quantity and quality needs.

Maddy summarySB 227 sets a 75% damage threshold for insurers to declare a motor vehicle a total loss. Insurers cannot classify a car as totaled unless repair costs meet or exceed 75% of its actual cash value (current market value based on make, model, mileage, and condition). Vehicle owners may still request a total loss declaration below this threshold with written consent. This bill directly affects auto insurance companies and vehicle owners in South Dakota by changing how insurers determine total loss claims.