Pierre Review - South Dakota Legislative Update

By Whitney Stockwell on
Graphic titled “Pierre Review: South Dakota Legislative Update” from the Center for Rural Affairs, labeled 2026, featuring a stylized image of the South Dakota State Capitol building on a beige background.
Policy

Reflecting on 2026 wins

March 13, 2026

Thursday was the 37th Legislative Day of South Dakota’s 38-day session. The last day for a bill or joint resolution to pass was Monday. The remaining day of session, March 30, is reserved for gubernatorial vetoes.

As we reflect on how the session played out this year, we see some wins, including funding for broadband, rural infrastructure, and water and soil conservation programs, as well as expanded free school meals for students. 

There are a few issues that did not pass this session—like adjusting wind tax revenue to increase benefits for local communities and local food purchasing for food banks—that we hope are revived in the next session.

You can find a summary of all of the bills we tracked through the session at cfra.org/policy/bill-tracker. 

Below is a summary of legislation that is expected to become law after this session. We tracked these bills based on alignment with our legislative priorities.

Environment

SUPPORT SB 222 (Sen. Karr): This bill makes an appropriation for water, wastewater, storm water, and riparian buffer initiative projects. An amendment to the bill sets aside $2 million for water, wastewater, and storm water projects; $8 million is allocated for statewide riparian buffer initiatives. This bill has passed both the House and Senate and is expected to be signed by the governor.

Economic and community development

SUPPORT HB 1082 (Rep. Wittman): This bill expands free school meal programs for children in the reduced income category. The bill passed the House and the Senate and is expected to be signed by the governor.

SUPPORT HB 1048 (Chair of the Joint Committee on Appropriations): This bill supports the expansion of broadband infrastructure across the state, appropriating $87 million from the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. The Center submitted a written comment in support. It passed both the House and the Senate and is expected to be signed by the governor.

SUPPORT SB 240 (Sen. Davis): This bill provides $5 million in funding for rural infrastructure access such as township roads and county secondary roads. This bill passed both the Senate and the House and is expected to be signed by the governor.

Thank you for staying engaged in the 2026 legislative session and contacting your representatives! Citizen awareness and participation of our legislature promotes transparency and better ensures that rural communities’ priorities get attention.

As always, we welcome your input. Feel free to be in touch at [email protected] or 402.380.6606.

Last quarter of 2026 session

Feb. 27, 2026

The South Dakota 2026 legislative session is entering its final quarter, with only 10 days left in this year’s 38-day session. This week, all bills need to pass from their original chamber to stay viable; this is called “Crossover Day.” While bills can be revived through a number of administrative means, Crossover Day provides some clarity on what bills likely have enough support to continue on the path to become law. 

Constituent outreach on important bills remains critical to seeing rural issues be uplifted. 

We are continuing to monitor legislation that aligns with our legislative priorities.

Take action

  • Contact your representatives for their support on:
    • Protecting watersheds with riparian buffer initiatives (SB 222)
    • Expansion of broadband, or internet service, infrastructure (HB 1048)
    • School meal programs (HB 1082)
    • Funds for rural infrastructure, particularly roads (SB 240). 
       
  • Track legislation affecting rural communities by following priority bills and staying informed throughout the session at cfra.org/policy/bill-tracker.
     
  • Continue to let your representative and senator know how proposed bills may impact your community by calling, emailing, and/or writing them.

Environment

  • SUPPORT SB 222 (Sen. Karr): This bill makes an appropriation for water, wastewater, storm water and riparian buffer initiative projects. An amendment to the bill sets aside $2 million for water, wastewater and storm water projects; $8 million is allocated for statewide riparian buffer initiatives. The funds would be managed by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources to make grants. Providing for riparian buffer initiatives is an investment in soil conservation and water quality. The amended bill unanimously passed the Senate Committee on Appropriations on Feb. 23. It passed the Senate 28-5 on Feb. 24 and now heads to the House Committee on Appropriations.
     
  • SUPPORT SB 210 (Sen. Steve Kolbeck): This bill changes how a portion of revenues from wind farms would remain with school districts. Current statute dictates that local school districts in counties where wind projects are located will receive a decreasing share of tax revenue from the Renewable Facility Tax fund over a period of 10 years, from 100% in Year 1 to 0% in Year 10. SB 210 would eliminate the phase-out, allowing local school districts to retain more economic benefits from wind projects located in their communities. The Center submitted a written comment in support. The bill was heard in the Senate Committee on Appropriations on Feb. 23 but was sent to the 41st legislative day (killed - no further action).

Economic and community development

  • SUPPORT HB 1082 (Rep. Wittman): This bill expands free school meal programs for children in the reduced income category. The bill passed the House Committee on Appropriations 7-2 and the House 46-20. It now heads to the Senate Education committee. 
     
  • SUPPORT HB 1147 (Sen. Miskimins): This bill has bipartisan support and provides $5 million in funding to a statewide food distribution organization, of which $1.5 million would be spent on purchasing fresh, local food. The bill was heard in the Joint Committee on Appropriations on Feb. 25, where it was tabled (killed - no further action).
     
  • SUPPORT HB 1048 (Chair of the Joint Committee on Appropriations): This bill supports the expansion of broadband infrastructure across the state, appropriating $87 million from the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. The bill passed the Joint Committee on Appropriations on Feb. 25. The Center submitted a written comment in support. It passed the House on Feb. 26 and will now head to the Senate floor.
     
  • SUPPORT SB 240 (Sen. Davis): This bill provides $5 million in funding for rural infrastructure access (such as township roads and county secondary roads). This bill passed the Joint Committee on Appropriations on Feb. 24, was amended and passed in the Senate on Feb. 26. It now heads to the House floor.

We welcome your input. Feel free to be in touch about these or any other bills you feel are important to rural communities. I can be reached at [email protected] or 402.380.6606.

Attend a legislative forum near you 

School meal access hearing is next week

Feb. 13, 2026

The South Dakota legislative session is moving quickly and all bills have now been introduced. Last week were the deadlines for individual members of the legislature to introduce bills and for committees to introduce bills. 

The session is far from static though. Other legislative procedures—such as large-scale replacement of text through amendments (“hog-housing”) and amending substantive text to general “vehicle bills” (often identified with titles such as “addressing issues facing South Dakota”)—changes the means by which new topics and priorities are addressed.

We are continuing to monitor legislation that aligns with our legislative priorities.

Economic and community development

  • SUPPORT HB 1082 (Rep. Wittman): This bill expands free school meal programs for children in the reduced income category. We highlighted this bill in our last update; it was introduced and now has a hearing in the House Committee on Appropriation on Feb. 17.  Since the legislature is not in session on Feb. 13 and 16, outreach ahead of Feb. 17 is especially important to ensure members receive messages in advance of the hearing.
  • SUPPORT HB 1147 (Sen. Miskimins): This bill has bipartisan support and provides $5 million in funding to a statewide food distribution organization, of which $1.5 million would be spent on purchasing fresh, local food. Purchasing local foods supports the local producers and improves the diversity of food available for distribution. The bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Appropriations but does not yet have a scheduled hearing.
  • SUPPORT SB 240 (Sen. Davis): This bill provides $3 million in funding across the state for rural infrastructure (such as township roads and county secondary roads) for fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028. The funds would be split among and managed by counties. This bill was referred to the Senate Transportation Committee, but does not yet have a hearing scheduled.

We welcome your input. Feel free to be in touch about these or any other bills you feel are important to rural communities. I can be reached at [email protected] or 402.380.6606.

Take action

Attend a legislative forum near you

  • Milbank Legislative Cracker Barrel, Feb. 14, 1 to 3 p.m. at Visitor Center (Community Room), 10001 E. 4th Ave., Milbank; hosted by Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Piedmont Legislative Cracker Barrel; Feb. 14, 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Piedmont Valley American Legion Post 311, 101 Pine St., Piedmont; hosted by American Legion Post 311
  • Watertown Legislative Cracker Barrel, Feb. 14, 8 a.m. at Condington County Extension Complex; 1910 W Kemp Ave., Watertown
  • Redfield Legislative Cracker Barrel, Feb. 16, 1 to 3 pm at C&NW Historic RR Museum, 715 W 3rd St., Redfield; hosted by Redfield Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Aberdeen Area Coffees, Feb. 21 and March 7, 10 a.m. to noon, hosted by the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Sioux Falls Legislative Coffee, Feb. 21, 10 to 11:30 a.m., hosted by Sioux Falls League of Women Voters
  • Yankton Cracker Barrel, Feb. 21 and March 7, 10 to 11 a.m., hosted by Yankton Thrive
  • Onida Legislative Cracker Barrel, Feb. 27, 1 p.m. at Sully Buttes High School Library, 500 S. 8th St., Onida; hosted by Onida Chamber of Commerce
  • Lawrence County District 31 Cracker Barrel Feb. 28, 10 a.m. at Deadwood Gulch Convention Center, 230 Cliff St., Deadwood; hosted by Deadwood Chamber of Commerce (no online link)
  • Vermillion Cracker Barrel, Feb. 28 and March 7, 9 to 11 a.m., hosted by Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company

28 days left of session

Jan. 30, 2026

The South Dakota session is wrapping up its third week. There are 28 days left of the session. 

As we look ahead to the remaining weeks of session, the Center for Rural Affairs will continue to monitor movement on bills that intersect with our legislative priorities.

Energy and environment

  • SB 25 - Monitoring: This bill, introduced by the Chair of the Commerce and Energy Committee at the request of the Public Utilities Commission, makes changes to the application process for proposed energy and transmission facilities. We are watching this bill for any negative impacts that would limit the community’s ability to meaningfully engage in the siting process. Bill language spells out options for greater transparency, such as designating a local review committee, but also significantly reduces timelines, which risks impairing community engagement. A do pass vote on the Senate floor failed twice with a vote of 17-17. However, it was reconsidered with a third amendment and passed 30-3. It now heads to the House Commerce and Energy Committee.

Economic and community development

  • HB 1048 - Support: This bill, introduced by the Chair of the Joint Committee on Appropriations, supports the expansion of broadband infrastructure across the state. The bill provides $87 million from the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. The Governor’s Office of Economic Development would manage the fund and make grants to expand broadband infrastructure. Broadband expansion increases access for economic, educational, and social opportunities for rural populations. This bill was scheduled for a hearing in the Joint Committee on Appropriations on Jan. 26, but was deferred to another day.
  • HB 1082 - Support: This bill, brought by Rep. Kadyn Wittman, would expand free school breakfasts and lunches programs for children in the reduced income category; it would use $600,000 of the state’s multi-billion dollar annual budget. While similar bills have failed in recent years, 1082 has bipartisan support, with 14 co-sponsors from both political parties. Reducing childhood hunger has multiple benefits for students, families, communities, and the state as a whole, including reducing stress on vulnerable families and improving children’s ability to concentrate in school. HB 1082  was heard on Jan. 26 by the House Education Committee and was referred 13-1 to the House Committee on Appropriations with a do pass recommendation. A hearing is expected next week.

We welcome your input. Feel free to be in touch about these or any other bills you feel are important to rural communities. I can be reached at [email protected], or 402.380.6606.

What can you do?

  • Contact your representatives asking for their support on broadband (HB 1048) and expanding school meal access (HB 1082). Constituent engagement with the House Committee on Appropriations members is especially valuable for HB 1082.
  • Track legislation affecting rural communities by following priority bills and staying informed throughout the session at cfra.org/policy/bill-tracker.
  • Participate in the public input process by calling, emailing, or writing your representative and senator to let them know how proposed bills may impact your community.

Mark your calendar for legislative forums

The 2026 South Dakota legislative session is underway

Jan. 16, 2026

Jan. 13 marked the first day of the 2026 South Dakota legislative session. The Center for Rural Affairs will be tracking policies that affect the rural quality of life and intersect with our goal of building vibrant rural communities. Our monitoring will include:

Energy and environment: With wind and solar projects on the rise in South Dakota, we support renewable energy siting standards that encourage development but also take into account the needs and concerns of communities.

Economic and community development: We are committed to ensuring that rural communities have every opportunity to thrive. We support policies that help provide small businesses and rural families the tools and services they require for success.

Additionally, it’s critical that legislators hear from the people they represent. We encourage you to get involved in the legislative process by communicating with elected officials about the issues you care about. If you don’t know who your legislators are, you can find them at this link.

We look forward to communicating with you during the legislative session and welcome your input. Feel free to be in touch about issues you feel are important to rural communities. I can be reached at [email protected] or 402.380.6606.

What can you do?