The bill amends South Dakota law to require the disclosure of whether a ballot question was proposed by initiative or by the Legislature. Specifically, it modifies Section 12-13-9 to include a new disclosure indicating the source of the proposed amendment or referred law. The attorney general's statement for each ballot question will now consist of a title, this new disclosure, an objective explanation of the proposal, and a recitation of voting options. The order of these elements on the printed ballot is also specified, ensuring that voters are informed about the nature of the proposal before casting their votes.

Additionally, Section 12-13-25.1 is amended to require a similar disclosure for citizen-initiated measures or amendments to the constitution. The attorney general will prepare a draft statement that includes the title, the new disclosure indicating the measure's origin, and an explanation of its purpose and legal consequences. This draft will be made available for public comment before finalization, and the final statement will also follow the same format on the ballot as outlined in the previous section. Overall, the bill aims to enhance transparency in the ballot process by clearly indicating the source of proposed legislation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 12/19/2025: 12-13-9, 12-13-25.1