The bill seeks to modernize the governance and operational procedures of water development districts in South Dakota by amending several sections of existing law. It establishes specific districts, including Central Plains, East Dakota, James River, South Central, West Dakota, West River, and Vermillion Basin, each defined by county and township boundaries. The bill outlines the process for establishing these districts, including requirements for petitions, elections, and the composition of the board of directors, which varies based on district population. Notably, districts with populations of 25,000 or fewer must have five directors, while larger districts must have seven or nine. The bill emphasizes equitable representation and the need for districts to adapt to population changes following census data.

Additionally, the bill amends sections related to financial management, requiring boards to forward certified copies of tax levies and budgets to tax collecting officials and the Department of Revenue by October 1st. It specifies that tax collecting officials must extend the levy or special assessments on the tax list and collect these amounts, forwarding them to the district treasurer monthly. The bill also repeals sections that may contain outdated provisions, aiming to streamline financial processes within water development districts and enhance their governance and accountability. Overall, these changes are designed to improve the operational efficiency and financial management of water development districts in South Dakota.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/17/2025: 46A-3A-1, 46A-3A-1.1, 46A-3A-2, 46A-3A-3, 46A-3A-4, 46A-3A-5, 46A-3A-6, 46A-3A-7, 46A-3A-7.1, 46A-3A-8, 46A-3A-9, 46A-3A-10, 46A-3A-11, 46A-3A-12, 46A-3A-13, 46A-3A-14, 46A-3A-15, 46A-3A-16, 46A-3A-17, 46A-3B-1, 46A-3B-2, 46A-3B-2.1, 46A-3B-3, 46A-3B-4, 46A-3B-5, 46A-3B-6, 46A-3B-7, 46A-3B-8, 46A-3B-9, 46A-3B-10, 46A-3B-11, 46A-3B-12, 46A-3C-1, 46A-3C-2, 46A-3C-3, 46A-3C-4, 46A-3C-5, 46A-3C-6, 46A-3D-1, 46A-3D-2, 46A-3D-3, 46A-3D-4, 46A-3D-5, 46A-3D-6, 46A-3D-7, 46A-3D-8, 46A-3D-9, 46A-3D-10, 46A-3D-11, 46A-3D-12, 46A-3E-1, 46A-3E-2, 46A-3E-3, 46A-3E-4, 46A-3E-5, 46A-3E-6, 46A-3E-7, 46A-3E-8, 46A-3E-9, 46A-3E-10, 46A-3E-11, 46A-3E-12, 46A-3E-13, 46A-3E-14, 46A-3B-13, 46A-3D-13, 46A-3E-15
House Engrossed, 01/30/2025: 46A-3A-1, 46A-3A-1.1, 46A-3A-2, 46A-3A-3, 46A-3A-4, 46A-3A-5, 46A-3A-6, 46A-3A-7, 46A-3A-7.1, 46A-3A-8, 46A-3A-9, 46A-3A-10, 46A-3A-11, 46A-3A-12, 46A-3A-13, 46A-3A-14, 46A-3A-15, 46A-3A-16, 46A-3A-17, 46A-3B-1, 46A-3B-2, 46A-3B-2.1, 46A-3B-3, 46A-3B-4, 46A-3B-5, 46A-3B-6, 46A-3B-7, 46A-3B-8, 46A-3B-9, 46A-3B-10, 46A-3B-11, 46A-3B-12, 46A-3C-1, 46A-3C-2, 46A-3C-3, 46A-3C-4, 46A-3C-5, 46A-3C-6, 46A-3D-1, 46A-3D-2, 46A-3D-3, 46A-3D-4, 46A-3D-5, 46A-3D-6, 46A-3D-7, 46A-3D-8, 46A-3D-9, 46A-3D-10, 46A-3D-11, 46A-3D-12, 46A-3D-13, 46A-3E-1, 46A-3E-2, 46A-3E-3, 46A-3E-4, 46A-3E-5, 46A-3E-6, 46A-3E-7, 46A-3E-8, 46A-3E-9, 46A-3E-10, 46A-3E-11, 46A-3E-12, 46A-3E-13, 46A-3E-14, 46A-3B-13, 46A-3E-15
Enrolled, 02/18/2025: 46A-3A-1, 46A-3A-1.1, 46A-3A-2, 46A-3A-3, 46A-3A-4, 46A-3A-5, 46A-3A-6, 46A-3A-7, 46A-3A-7.1, 46A-3A-8, 46A-3A-9, 46A-3A-10, 46A-3A-11, 46A-3A-12, 46A-3A-13, 46A-3A-14, 46A-3A-15, 46A-3A-16, 46A-3A-17, 46A-3B-1, 46A-3B-2, 46A-3B-2.1, 46A-3B-3, 46A-3B-4, 46A-3B-5, 46A-3B-6, 46A-3B-7, 46A-3B-8, 46A-3B-9, 46A-3B-10, 46A-3B-11, 46A-3B-12, 46A-3C-1, 46A-3C-2, 46A-3C-3, 46A-3C-4, 46A-3C-5, 46A-3C-6, 46A-3D-1, 46A-3D-2, 46A-3D-3, 46A-3D-4, 46A-3D-5, 46A-3D-6, 46A-3D-7, 46A-3D-8, 46A-3D-9, 46A-3D-10, 46A-3D-11, 46A-3D-12, 46A-3D-13, 46A-3E-1, 46A-3E-2, 46A-3E-3, 46A-3E-4, 46A-3E-5, 46A-3E-6, 46A-3E-7, 46A-3E-8, 46A-3E-9, 46A-3E-10, 46A-3E-11, 46A-3E-12, 46A-3E-13, 46A-3E-14, 46A-3B-13, 46A-3E-15