This bill amends several sections of South Dakota law to revise the process for preparing fiscal notes related to initiated measures, amendments to the state constitution, and referred laws. Specifically, it updates Section 2-9-30 to require the director of the Legislative Research Council to prepare a fiscal note if an initiated measure or amendment may impact state revenues, expenditures, or fiscal liabilities. The fiscal note must estimate the impact for at least the first full fiscal year after the measure takes effect and include any effects on prison or county jail populations. Additionally, a new section is added to require the director to review and potentially update the fiscal note if changes to the state budget or other factors render the original estimate inaccurate, with the updated note also limited to fifty words.

The bill also amends Section 12-13-9 to ensure that the attorney general's statement for proposed amendments and referred laws includes the most recent fiscal note, which must be printed on the ballot alongside the title and explanation of the measure. Furthermore, it amends Section 12-13-25.1 to outline the process for the attorney general to prepare a draft statement for initiated measures and amendments, including a public comment period. Lastly, Section 2-9-30.1 is repealed, indicating a consolidation or simplification of the fiscal note process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/16/2025: 2-9-30, 12-13-9, 12-13-25.1, 2-9-30.1
Enrolled, 02/25/2025: 2-9-30, 12-13-9, 12-13-25.1, 2-9-30.1