This bill amends several sections of South Dakota law to streamline the process for agricultural producers to request refunds on assessments related to their crops. Specifically, it allows producers to apply for refunds within sixty days of the assessment and mandates that the relevant councils make refund applications available online, facilitating electronic submission of applications and required documentation. The bill also introduces a new provision that enables growers to file a single electronic request for an automatic refund of all assessments paid during the calendar year, which must be completed before December 31st.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that if no refund request is made within the specified sixty-day period, the grower is presumed to have agreed to the deduction. The councils are tasked with promulgating rules to implement this alternative refund process, ensuring that all necessary documentation can be submitted electronically. This modernization aims to simplify the refund process for growers and enhance efficiency in handling assessments.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/30/2025: 38-10-20, 38-10-22, 38-10-24, 38-10-28, 38-10-33, 38-10-34, 38-27-8.1, 38-27-11, 38-27-12, 38-27-16, 38-27-17, 38-29-1, 38-29-7.1, 38-29-9, 38-32-1, 38-32-14, 38-32-16, 38-32-20, 38-34-1, 38-34-8, 38-34-10, 38-34-11, 38-34-14, 38-34-18, 38-34-19
House Agriculture and Natural Resources Engrossed, 02/11/2025: 38-10-20, 38-10-22, 38-10-24, 38-10-28, 38-10-33, 38-10-34, 38-27-8.1, 38-27-11, 38-27-12, 38-27-16, 38-27-17, 38-29-1, 38-29-7.1, 38-29-9, 38-32-1, 38-32-14, 38-32-16, 38-32-20, 38-34-1, 38-34-8, 38-34-10, 38-34-11, 38-34-14, 38-34-18, 38-34-19
House Engrossed, 02/19/2025: 38-10-34, 38-27-16, 38-32-20, 38-34-18