Over 200 bills were signed into South Dakota law during the 2026 legislative session.
Generally, unless a bill has an emergency clause, South Dakota bills signed by the governor take affect July 1.
Forty-four bills that were signed had emergency clauses.
Here’s a list of some of the bills from this year’s session KELOLAND covered:
House Bill 1056 requires the Department of Social Services to submit a waiver request, as authorized to the United States Department of Agriculture to exclude soft drinks from the definition of eligible foods under the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP). If the waiver is approved, soft drinks will be restricted within six months of the date of approval.
House Bill 1082 will establish parameters for the reimbursement of school districts that provide free or reduced-price meals to students. Students that already qualify for free or reduced meals will be reimbursed.
House Bill 1164 puts a new crime on the books that prohibits doctors from secretly substituting their own sperm during fertility procedures without the parents’ knowledge or consent.
House Bill 1274 makes the sale, distribution and advertising of abortion pills illegal. The law is currently being challenged by Mayday Health, a nonprofit that provides information on pregnancy options. The law is currently being challenged in court.
Senate Bill 135 says residents will be protected from increased utility costs and utility shortages caused by data centers and clarify authority to regulate data centers.
Senate Bill 159 says 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds that want to get married in South Dakota will have to receive approval from a judge to do so.
You can read the full article at Keloland News.