Veterans & Military

Changes when nonprofits can host special pheasant hunts for disabled veterans.

This bill revises the law governing special pheasant hunts for disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients. It changes when these hunts can be held (from 'before or during the regular pheasant season' to 'during the private shooting preserve season'), updates the definition of disabled veteran to include specific VA disability ratings and discharge requirements, and makes various technical clarifications to the existing statute.

Updates rules for the South Dakota Veterans Council.

This bill modifies the South Dakota Veterans Council structure and operations. It changes the Department of Veterans Affairs' consultation from discretionary ('may') to mandatory ('shall') on a quarterly basis. It expands the council's role to provide recommendations on budgets, legislation, policies, and programs affecting veterans. The bill also restructures the council membership, explicitly listing eight categories of veterans organizations including adding National American Indian Veterans as a new member, and allowing other congressionally chartered veterans organizations to join by unanimous vote.

Makes it easier for veterans to get their discharge papers from county offices.

This bill revises the process for requesting a veteran's certificate of discharge from a county register of deeds. It replaces the existing complex provisions with a streamlined system that allows veterans to record their discharge certificates without charge and specifies exactly who can request certified copies (the veteran, VA representatives, veteran's designees, legal representatives, certain veterans service officers, accredited service organization representatives, and next of kin if deceased). It also requires requesters to submit a form showing their eligibility to receive the document.

Allows veterans to use their VA medical records when applying for medical marijuana cards.

This bill creates an alternative pathway for veterans to obtain medical cannabis registry identification cards by allowing them to use their Veterans Affairs medical records (within 3 years) showing a qualifying debilitating medical condition, rather than requiring a written certification from a practitioner within 90 days. Veterans must also provide documentation of non-dishonorable discharge and their preferred VA health facility information.

Funds expansion and renovation of the Sturgis National Guard facility.

This bill authorizes the Department of the Military to contract for expansion and renovation of the Sturgis Readiness Center (a National Guard facility). It appropriates $2.35 million from the state general fund and $8 million in federal funds for construction, furnishing, equipment, and related services. The Bureau of Human Resources and Administration will supervise the project, with unused funds reverting by June 30, 2031.

Updates property tax refunds for disabled veterans and their surviving spouses.

This bill expands property tax relief for disabled veterans and surviving spouses by requiring county commissioners to provide tax refunds for up to four previous years when qualified applicants missed application deadlines. The bill changes 'may' to 'must' for county boards when processing these requests and adds this as a specific ground for tax abatement under state law.

Lets veteran business owners use military license plates on company vehicles without personal liability.

This bill allows veteran business owners to display military specialty plates on noncommercial vehicles registered to their business (if they are listed as additional owners on the title). More significantly, it creates a personal liability exemption for veteran business owners - they cannot be held personally liable for damages from accidents involving vehicles registered to their business.

Pays National Guard members who donate organs.

This bill creates a stipend program for National Guard members who donate organs for transplantation. The stipend equals 50% of active-duty basic monthly pay for recovery times of two weeks or less, and 150% for recovery times exceeding two weeks. Members must follow Guard protocols, provide one month advance notice, undergo the procedure at a qualified transplant hospital, and not receive living donor paid leave from their employer to be eligible.

Waives vehicle registration fees for active-duty military from other states and their families.

This bill creates a new exemption allowing nonresident active-duty military personnel and their dependents stationed in South Dakota to obtain an exemption from motor vehicle license fees for one noncommercial vehicle (automobile, pickup truck, or van). The exemption requires proof of military orders showing nonresident status and active duty assignment in South Dakota, can be renewed annually, and is processed through county treasurers and the Department of Revenue. The exemption does not cover excise taxes on vehicle purchases or specialty plate fees.

Gives veterans and their surviving spouses refunds on past property taxes.

This bill allows qualifying disabled veterans and their unremarried surviving spouses to petition county commissioners for a refund of property taxes paid in the previous four years on property that would have qualified for the veteran disability tax exemption if they missed the application deadline. The bill adds this refund provision to existing law that already exempts these veterans from property taxes on their primary residence.

Funds construction of a National Guard vehicle maintenance shop in Sturgis.

This bill authorizes the Department of the Military to construct a National Guard vehicle maintenance shop in Sturgis, appropriates $30,000,000 in federal funding for the project, and establishes administrative procedures for the project including oversight by the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration and approval processes for expenditures.

Makes fishing licenses free for active military and veterans.

This bill exempts active-duty military members and honorably discharged veterans who are South Dakota residents from paying fishing license fees required by the Game, Fish and Parks Commission.