Sen. Sue Peterson

Maddy summarySB 214 requires South Dakota's Secretary of State to post weekly updates to the statewide voter registration file every Monday by 11:59 p.m. Central Time. It also establishes a rolling five-year historical archive of this data on the Secretary's website, making it freely available. The bill prohibits public access to sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers, driver license numbers, and birth dates within these files. Additionally, it bans selling or using voter data for commercial purposes (with exceptions for political polling), while allowing fees for paper copies of voter lists.

Maddy summaryHB 1194 requires South Dakota's Cosmetology Commission to allow out-of-state cosmetology, nail technology, and esthetics license applicants to count relevant work experience toward their education hour requirements. Specifically, the bill mandates that two hours of work experience equals one hour of required education, but only for experience gained after the applicant's initial license, and work experience cannot cover more than half the total education hours needed. Applicants must provide documentation of their work history, and the commission may require a safety course if the experience is over five years old or deny a license if competence is in question. This change directly affects individuals seeking to transfer licenses from other states or countries who have practical experience but lack full in-state education hours.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 171 amends South Dakota election laws to change how absentee ballots are processed and declares an emergency. It requires election officials to keep absentee ballots sealed until verified by comparing envelope statements without opening them, and mandates that counties create a dedicated absentee ballot precinct for counting all absentee ballots (except when a regular precinct has ten or fewer absentee ballots, which are counted at the polling place). The bill establishes the absentee ballot counting board as the entity responsible for processing and counting all absentee ballots countywide, replacing previous handling methods. This directly affects election officials and the absentee voting process for South Dakota voters.

Maddy summarySB 135 requires data center operators to pay all electricity costs associated with their facilities, preventing utilities from raising residential rates to cover these expenses (Section 3). It also prohibits tax exemptions for data centers (Section 5) and ensures local governments retain authority to regulate data center development (Section 4). The bill mandates data centers to report projected water usage to local providers and the Board of Water Management before operation, with annual reports on actual consumption (Sections 6-7), ensuring water allocation prioritizes residential and essential services. This directly affects data center operators, utilities, and South Dakota residents by limiting cost-shifting and protecting local resource management.

Maddy summarySB 133 amends South Dakota's administrative law to strengthen legislative oversight of agency rulemaking. It clarifies that a "major rule" is defined as one likely to cost businesses, individuals, or local governments over $1 million in implementation or compliance costs over five years. The bill requires the Interim Rules Review Committee to establish an annual public meeting schedule by the first Monday after the legislative session ends and mandates all committee meetings be open with public input opportunities. This directly affects state agencies creating rules (like departments or commissions) and the committee tasked with reviewing them. The changes aim to formalize the committee's review process and ensure public transparency for rules with significant economic impacts.

Maddy summarySB 88 clarifies the process for entities seeking to examine private property for public projects (like utility lines) without the owner's permission. It requires such entities to provide 30 days' written notice detailing the property area, timing, and purpose, and pay for any damage caused - $500 upfront for common carrier projects. Property owners can challenge the examination in court within 30 days of receiving notice. The bill applies only to projects needing a siting permit (e.g., utilities), not state entities, and defines "examination" as a minimally invasive inspection causing minor soil disturbance.

Maddy summaryHB 1253 adjusts how property taxes are calculated for owner-occupied single-family homes and nonagricultural land by using a special averaging method. It requires county assessors to set each property's taxable value based on the "Olympic average" (removing the highest and lowest values) of its fair market value over the past eight years, or since a recent change in use or addition. This aims to stabilize tax bills by smoothing out annual value fluctuations. The bill specifically prevents this adjustment from increasing taxes on agricultural properties. It directly affects homeowners and nonagricultural property owners in South Dakota.

Maddy summaryHB 1241 increases the property tax exemption amount for disabled veterans and surviving spouses in South Dakota. It amends existing law (§ 10-4-40 for veterans and § 10-4-41 for surviving spouses) to raise the value of a primary residence exempt from property taxes. Currently set at $225,000, this exemption applies to owner-occupied homes where the veteran is permanently and totally disabled from service-connected injuries, or to surviving spouses of such veterans. To qualify, applicants must submit a confidential form to the Department of Revenue and maintain occupancy; the exemption ends if they sell the home, stop living there, or remarry (for surviving spouses).

Maddy summaryThis bill is a legislative commemoration that honors TKO's Custom Catering and Capitol Cafe for their outstanding service during the legislative session. It recognizes the catering team for providing meals to legislators, staff, and visitors throughout the Capitol Building, contributing to a positive work environment. The resolution formally acknowledges their dedication and high-quality food service, but does not create any new laws, regulations, or funding.

Maddy summarySB 134 requires South Dakota courts and administrative hearing officers to interpret state statutes, rules, and policies independently ("de novo") instead of giving special weight to a state agency's interpretation. It prohibits courts from deferring to agency views and mandates that any remaining uncertainty must be resolved in favor of interpretations consistent with individuals' constitutional rights. This directly affects state agencies, courts, and anyone challenging agency actions or interpretations in court. The bill changes how legal disputes involving agency rules are reviewed, ensuring courts make final decisions without relying on agency explanations.