Rep. Jeff Bathke

Maddy summaryHB 1143 allows students with diabetes to possess and self-administer nasal glucagon (a medication for severe low blood sugar) on school property or at school events. It directly affects students diagnosed with diabetes who require this specific treatment. The bill requires a licensed healthcare provider’s diagnosis, written parent authorization, and a physician’s statement detailing the medication’s purpose, dosage, and administration guidelines to be kept on file at the school. Schools must maintain these documents in the student’s health record or with the school nurse. This change expands existing provisions for asthma and anaphylaxis medications to include nasal glucagon for diabetes management.

Maddy summaryHB 1056 requires South Dakota's Department of Social Services to submit a federal waiver request by September 1, 2026, to exclude soft drinks from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill defines "soft drink" as nonalcoholic sweetened beverages (excluding milk, milk substitutes, and approved juices) and mandates annual waiver requests if initially denied. If approved, the restriction would take effect within six months, directly affecting SNAP participants who currently purchase soft drinks with benefits. This policy change would alter eligibility under federal SNAP rules for South Dakota recipients.

Maddy summaryHB 1086 appropriates $2.7 million from the general fund to the South Dakota Department of Corrections for a grant to a nonprofit organization. The nonprofit must provide trauma-informed programming - including leadership development and skills training - to both offenders and correctional staff at three specific state prisons: South Dakota State Penitentiary, Mike Durfee State Prison, and South Dakota Women's Prison. To qualify, the nonprofit must currently operate such programming at a state facility and plan to serve all three prisons, as verified by the Department of Corrections. Unspent funds by June 30, 2031, will revert to the state treasury.

Maddy summarySJR 504 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow South Dakota to authorize mobile and electronic wagering on sporting events. The amendment requires such wagering to be offered only through licensed Deadwood casinos with servers located within Deadwood, and mandates that 90% of tax revenue from these wagers must fund statewide property tax relief or reductions. If approved by voters, this would change the state constitution to permit this new form of betting, which is currently restricted under existing gambling laws. The amendment must be voted on by South Dakota residents at the next general election to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 1072 allocates $20.6 million in state and federal funds to provide South Dakota state employees with a payment equal to 1.5% of their January 1, 2026 salary. Starting July 1, 2026, each active state employee as of that date will receive this amount monthly in 12 equal installments. The payment applies only to employees still working at the time of each monthly disbursement, meaning no payments are made to those who left state employment before a payment date. The funds must be expended by June 30, 2027, with unused amounts reverting to the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1114 allocates state funds to purchase equipment for the South Dakota Board of Technical Education. This appropriation directly supports vocational training programs by providing necessary tools and machinery for students. The bill authorizes financial resources without specifying exact equipment types or quantities. This measure enables the board to maintain and expand its technical education facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 1071 modifies the practice criteria for physician assistants in South Dakota by updating the rules governing their scope of practice. The bill directly affects physician assistants working in the state and the medical facilities that employ them. Key provisions likely adjust requirements for supervision, prescribing authority, or practice settings to align with current medical standards. This change aims to clarify the legal framework under which physician assistants can provide healthcare services. The legislation does not specify exact modifications without access to the full text, but it focuses on regulatory updates rather than creating new programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1161 allows South Dakota to accept additional forms of documentation to verify military service when veterans apply for commercial driver's licenses or commercial learner's permits. The bill expands the types of records that can be used to prove military service beyond standard discharge papers, making it easier for veterans to obtain the veteran designation on their licenses. This change directly affects military veterans seeking commercial driving credentials in South Dakota by providing more flexible verification options. The legislation does not alter the requirements for obtaining a commercial license itself, only the documentation needed to qualify for the veteran designation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires sellers of real property in South Dakota to include specific questions about the property's historical significance on their disclosure statement. The provision directly affects home sellers and buyers by mandating that sellers answer designated questions regarding the property's history before a sale is finalized. This change aims to provide buyers with more information about potential historical aspects of the property they are purchasing. The bill does not alter ownership rights or impose penalties, but rather adds a disclosure requirement to the standard real estate transaction process.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the signature requirement for petitions used to initiate constitutional amendments in South Dakota. It directly affects citizens who wish to propose changes to the state constitution by altering the number of valid signatures needed on these petitions. The key provision changes the threshold of voter signatures required to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot, making the process more or less accessible depending on the new numerical requirement. This change impacts the procedural steps for citizens seeking to propose constitutional changes but does not alter the content or approval process for amendments themselves.