PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota lawmakers are entering day 23 of the 101st Legislative Session with property taxes, data centers, and capital punishment among the day’s most contentious issues.
House committees are taking up bills dealing with an Article Five constitutional convention, ethics rules for economic development officials, app store age verification, and limits on nondisclosure agreements tied to data centers. House Judiciary is also hearing legislation to repeal the death penalty, along with child support changes and protections for judges’ and law enforcement officers’ personal information.
Property tax relief dominates the Senate agenda, with proposals allowing counties to use gross receipts taxes to lower owner-occupied property taxes, expand relief for seniors, replace property taxes with transaction taxes, and reset property taxes at a flat rate. Governor Larry Rhoden requested one of the measures.
Data centers remain a major focus, with multiple Senate and House hearings on moratoriums, utility costs, and purchasing requirements.
During floor debate, lawmakers will consider major property tax legislation, changes to distracted driving laws, assisted reproductive technology data collection, and a custody bill favoring joint physical custody.
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