South Dakota Bill Book

The bill would let property taxes keep growing without a limit, making homeowners pay more over time.

Citizens could see bigger tax bills on their homes, while the state gains extra revenue; now is the chance to push back before it passes.

Government Power

• Accountability (neutral) — no new oversight. No new accountability measures are added.
• Rights & Protections (hurts) — homeowners lose protection. Removes cap on tax growth, reducing homeowner safeguards.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — homeowners pay more. Tax increases shift to property owners.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — standard process. Bill follows normal legislative steps.
• Funding Tilt (helps) — benefits state coffers. Potential higher tax receipts for the state.

• Official text (SD HB1032)https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/26816
• LegiScan — HB1032https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1032/2026

The bill would stop any food with lab‑grown protein from being made, sold, or shipped in South Dakota, limiting consumer choice.

People could lose access to new sustainable foods while big meat companies keep their market monopoly. The ban could set a precedent for other states, so now is the time to speak up before it spreads.

Big Business

• Accountability (hurts) — restricts accountability. removes legal pathway for producers, limiting oversight
• Rights & Protections (hurts) — removes consumer choice. bans a class of food products, limiting options for shoppers
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — costs fall on innovators and consumers. new producers must stop, consumers may face higher prices for alternatives
• Process Transparency (neutral) — no extra transparency. bill text is brief and does not add reporting requirements
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — no funding mentioned. the bill does not allocate money or create new fees

• Official text (SD HB1057)https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/26414
• LegiScan — HB1057https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1057/2026

The bill would make people who give blood tell the center whether they have had COVID‑19 or an mRNA vaccine, affecting their privacy.

This could scare donors away, lower blood supplies, and let centers track health info, so citizens should watch the bill now.

Blood donation centers

• Rights & Protections (hurts) — reduces privacy. requires donors to share health info
• Accountability (neutral) — no change. no new oversight
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — privacy burden on donors. donors must disclose personal health data
• Process Transparency (neutral) — no change. bill text unclear
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — no funding changes. none

• Official text (SD HB1171)https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/26290
• LegiScan — HB1171https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1171/2026

This bill would let some families pay less in property taxes if they send their kids to private schools.

If this bill passes, it could help wealthy families save money but might shift costs to those who cannot afford private school.

The Wealthy / Donors

• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Could shift costs to public school funding.. The credit may reduce property tax revenue that supports public schools.
• Rights & Protections (neutral) — Neutral impact on rights.. The bill does not directly affect individual rights.

• Official text (SD HB1168)https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/26730
• LegiScan — HB1168https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1168/2026

This bill would let people buy guns without paying sales tax, which might make guns cheaper.

If this bill passes, it could help gun sellers by making firearms more affordable, but it shifts tax costs to everyone else.

Big Business

• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Shifts tax burden.. Less tax revenue means other taxpayers may pay more.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Standard legislative process.. Introduced and referred to committee.

• Official text (SD HB1191)https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/27100
• LegiScan — HB1191https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1191/2026

Schools could not spend taxpayer money to support a teachers' union or its affiliate, and could be fined for doing so.

This bill tries to keep your tax dollars away from union politics, but it could weaken teachers' bargaining power and limit their ability to protect classroom resources.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — adds penalties. schools could be fined for using funds to support unions
• Rights & Protections (hurts) — limits union support. prevents schools from spending money to back labor organizations
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — shifts cost to schools. penalties fall on school districts, not taxpayers
• Process Transparency (neutral) — no new transparency. standard legislative process
• Funding Tilt (helps) — tilts funds away from unions. restricts use of tax money for union activities

• Official text (SD HB1217)https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/27126
• LegiScan — HB1217https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1217/2026

The bill would let data center owners skip sales tax on equipment and services, saving them money but costing the state revenue.

Citizens should watch because the tax break could mean less money for schools and roads, while data center firms get a big discount and may attract more investment.

Data centers

• Accountability (neutral) — exemption reduces oversight of tax revenue. Skipping tax on data center purchases lowers the state's ability to track revenue from that sector.
• Rights & Protections (neutral) — no direct impact on personal rights. The bill does not change any individual legal protections.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — cost shifts to all taxpayers. Lost tax revenue must be made up by the state, likely affecting public services.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — standard legislative process. The bill follows normal committee referral and hearing steps.
• Funding Tilt (hurts) — tilts tax benefits toward data center industry. Provides a financial advantage specifically to data center operators.

Pushing for it: Data center operators
Bearing the cost: Taxpayers

• Official text (SD HB1005)https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/26317
• LegiScan — HB1005https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1005/2026

This bill would change how much people pay for garnishment papers, which could affect their money.

People should pay attention to this bill because it could change how much they have to spend when dealing with garnishments. If the fees go up, it could hurt those who are already struggling financially.

• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No clear funding impact.. Unknown
• Accountability (neutral) — No direct accountability changes.. Unknown

• Official text (SD HB1179)https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/26924
• LegiScan — HB1179https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1179/2026

This bill would limit how much energy data centers can use and costs they can pass on to others.

If this bill passes, it could help keep energy costs down, but it is unclear how it will affect regular people.

• Accountability (neutral) — The bill is unclear about who holds responsibility for costs.. No specific accountability measures are mentioned.
• Rights & Protections (neutral) — The bill does not clearly protect consumers' rights.. It focuses on costs but lacks consumer protections.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — It is uncertain who will ultimately pay for the costs.. Data centers may pass costs to consumers.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — The process is ongoing but lacks clarity.. Details on the moratorium are not well explained.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No funding changes are mentioned.. The bill does not address funding sources.

• Official text (SD HB1301)https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/27287
• LegiScan — HB1301https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1301/2026

This bill would make it a crime to trespass on places of worship and set penalties for it.

While protecting places of worship is important, this bill may not solve bigger issues and could create confusion about what counts as trespassing.

Nobody / Symbolic

• Accountability (neutral) — Creates a new crime but unclear if it addresses real issues.. The bill does not clarify how it will prevent actual harm.
• Rights & Protections (neutral) — May protect places of worship but could limit public access.. The definition of trespass may restrict lawful gatherings.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — The legislative process is ongoing and public input is unclear.. More hearings and discussions are needed to clarify the bill.

• Official text (SD HB1124)https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/27105
• LegiScan — HB1124https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1124/2026

This bill would let the state check if companies building public projects have insurance for their workers, so injured workers get help.

This bill would help make sure that workers on state projects are safe and covered if they get hurt. If companies do not have workers' insurance, injured workers might not get paid or have their doctor bills covered. This bill would give the state power to check on this, which is good for workers and keeps everyone honest. Some might say it adds more rules for businesses, but it protects people who work hard.

Workers

• Accountability (helps) — Increases oversight. The bill would let state agencies verify and monitor workers' compensation insurance, making contractors more accountable.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Protects workers. Ensuring contractors have insurance protects workers' right to get help if they are hurt on the job.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Ensures proper cost bearer. This bill would make sure contractors, not injured workers or taxpayers, pay for worker injuries through insurance.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — No direct impact. The bill does not directly change how transparent the government process is.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No specific funding mentioned. The bill does not mention new funding or how money would be shifted.

Pushing for it: Workers, taxpayers (indirectly)
Bearing the cost: Contractors who might avoid insurance costs

• Official text (SD SB86)https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/26905
• LegiScan — SB86https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/SB86/2026

This bill would make punishments for rape more strict, which could help keep people safer from this terrible crime.

This bill would make changes to how rape offenses are handled in South Dakota. It would make the punishments for these crimes harsher. This is good because it could make people who commit these crimes think twice, and it shows that the state takes these crimes very seriously. Some might worry about how these changes affect the justice system, but the main goal is to protect people and make sure victims get justice. People should pay attention to this bill because it aims to make the community safer.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — Holds offenders more accountable.. The bill aims to increase penalties for rape offenses, holding offenders more accountable for their actions.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Protects victims.. By increasing penalties, the bill seeks to offer greater protection and justice for victims of rape.
• Who Bears the Cost (neutral) — No clear cost shift mentioned.. The bill does not specify financial costs or shifts, focusing on increasing penalties for offenders.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Standard legislative process.. The bill is moving through the standard legislative process, with committee hearings and votes reported.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — Not a funding bill.. The bill does not include specific funding provisions or allocations.

Pushing for it: Victims of crime, public safety
Bearing the cost: Offenders

• Official text (SD HB1031)https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/26831
• LegiScan — HB1031https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1031/2026

This bill would make sure property owners know before a special tax district is made, so they can understand how it might affect their taxes.

This bill would help regular people by making sure they get a warning before a "tax increment financing district" is set up. These districts can change how your property taxes are used, often to help new building projects. Right now, you might not know about it until it's too late. This bill would give you a chance to learn and speak up about these changes before they happen. It's about giving people more say over what happens with their property and their money.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — Increases government transparency. Requires government to inform property owners before creating a special tax district.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Protects property owners' right to know. Ensures property owners are aware of potential changes to their property's tax situation.
• Who Bears the Cost (neutral) — No direct cost shift. The bill focuses on notification, not on who pays for the district itself.
• Process Transparency (helps) — Significantly boosts public awareness. Directly adds a notification step to the process of establishing a tax increment financing district.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No funding changes. The bill does not allocate or reallocate funds, only requires notification.

Pushing for it: Property owners (through increased awareness)
Bearing the cost: Government entities (slight administrative cost for notification)

• Official text (SD HB1075)https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/26437
• LegiScan — HB1075https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1075/2026

This bill would make people who collect facts about your home get a license, which could help keep your information safer.

This bill would make sure that only approved people and companies can gather information about your home. This could stop bad actors from getting your private property details. It's important because it adds a layer of protection for homeowners while the bill is still moving through the legislature.

Property data collection companies

• Accountability (helps) — Adds rules for who can collect your property data. The bill would make sure that people and companies who collect facts about your home have to be licensed or registered, which means they would be held more accountable.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Could protect your property information. By requiring licenses and registration, the bill would add a layer of protection for homeowners' property information against unauthorized or improper collection.
• Who Bears the Cost (neutral) — Unknown costs, likely on data collectors. The bill does not say who would pay for the licenses or registration, but it would likely be the data collectors and companies themselves.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Standard legislative process. The bill is moving through the normal steps in the legislature, with a committee hearing and vote.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No specific funding mentioned. The bill does not mention any specific money for or against ordinary people.

Pushing for it: Homeowners (potential increased protection)
Bearing the cost: Property data collectors and companies (cost of licensing/registration)

• Official text (SD HB1026)https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/26562
• LegiScan — HB1026https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1026/2026

This bill would let veterans and active-duty military fish without paying for a license, saving them money.

This is a good chance to honor those who serve by helping them save on fishing costs. It is important to support our veterans and active-duty members.

Everyday People

• Rights & Protections (helps) — Supports veterans' rights.. Exempting them from fees shows support for their service.
• Accountability (neutral) — No negative accountability issues.. The bill does not harm anyone.

• Official text (SD HB1037)https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/26899
• LegiScan — HB1037https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1037/2026

The state would force IVF clinics to send data on treatments and could fine them if they don’t.

People who use fertility services could get safer care because the state can see what clinics do, but the rule may add paperwork and cost for clinics, which could raise prices.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — positive. Penalties encourage clinics to report data.
• Rights & Protections (hurts) — negative. Collecting personal health data may infringe patient privacy.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — negative. Clinics may bear compliance costs, possibly passed to patients.
• Process Transparency (helps) — positive. Data system makes clinic practices more visible to regulators.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — neutral. Bill does not specify funding sources.

• Official text (SD HB1182)https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/26653
• LegiScan — HB1182https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1182/2026

This bill would let people buy distilled spirits shipped directly to their homes, making it easier to get their favorite drinks.

If this bill passes, people could enjoy more choices for buying spirits. It's a good time to support it so everyone can benefit.

Everyday People

• Accountability (neutral) — No significant accountability measures included.. The bill does not address accountability for shipping companies.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Enhances consumer rights to purchase spirits.. Consumers gain the right to order spirits directly.
• Who Bears the Cost (neutral) — Costs are not shifted to consumers.. No new fees or taxes mentioned in the bill.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — No transparency measures included.. The process for penalties is not clearly defined.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No funding implications noted.. The bill does not mention funding sources.

• Official text (SD SB186)https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/27177
• LegiScan — SB186https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/SB186/2026

The bill would let people who own and live in their homes pay less property tax, while shifting the cost to the state's general fund.

Homeowners could see a tax break, but the credit costs the state and other taxpayers, so voters should watch the bill as it moves through the House.

Everyday People

• Accountability (neutral) — no change. no new oversight
• Rights & Protections (helps) — helps homeowners. reduces tax burden
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — cost shift to all taxpayers. state loses revenue
• Process Transparency (neutral) — standard process. no special hearings
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — appropriates funds. moves money to general fund

• Official text (SD HB1261)https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/26598
• LegiScan — HB1261https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1261/2026

This bill would provide money for schools and state services, which helps everyone in the community.

If this bill passes, it could mean better schools and services for people. Now is the time to support it.

Everyday People

• Funding Tilt (helps) — Supports funding for essential services.. This bill appropriates money for important state functions.

Pushing for it: state departments and common schools
Bearing the cost: Unknown

• Official text (SD HB1139)https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/27019
• LegiScan — HB1139https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1139/2026

This bill would help stop data centers from raising utility prices for regular people.

If this bill passes, it could keep utility costs lower for everyone. It's important to speak up now to protect your wallet.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — The bill increases regulation on data centers.. It clarifies authority to regulate data centers.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Protects residents from rising costs.. It aims to prevent data centers from raising utility prices.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Shifts costs back to data centers.. It aims to stop data centers from passing costs to residents.

• Official text (SD SB235)https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/27290
• LegiScan — SB235https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/SB235/2026