The bill seeks to modernize the governance and operational framework of water development districts in South Dakota by amending several sections of existing law. It establishes specific water development districts, including the Central Plains, East Dakota, James River, South Central, West Dakota, West River, and Vermillion Basin districts, defined by county and township boundaries. The bill outlines the procedures for establishing these districts, including requirements for petitions, elections, and the composition of the board of directors based on district population. It also details the processes for adding or withdrawing counties or townships from existing districts, necessitating resolutions and majority votes for such changes.

Additionally, the bill amends sections related to the structure and operations of the boards of directors, stipulating that directors take office on January 1 following their election and that vacancies be filled by appointing qualified candidates from the relevant area. It mandates annual meetings for officer elections and establishes quorum requirements for conducting business. The bill also clarifies the procedures for dissolving a water development district, requiring a petition from at least fifteen percent of eligible voters, and outlines financial responsibilities, including the ability to levy taxes and maintain transparency through public meeting minutes and financial audits. Furthermore, it amends sections regarding budget adoption, tax levying, and assessment collection, while repealing outdated provisions to streamline administrative processes.

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