The bill amends South Dakota's law regarding the conditions under which executive sessions or closed meetings may be held. It specifies that such meetings can only occur for certain purposes, including discussions about the qualifications of public officers, student disciplinary matters, legal consultations, contract negotiations, and various security-related topics. The bill also outlines that a majority vote is required to enter an executive session, and if there is no unanimous vote, a roll call must be conducted. Additionally, the motion to enter the session must specify the relevant legal basis, and any official actions must be taken in an open meeting.

Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the importance of transparency by requiring that discussions during executive sessions be limited to the stated purpose and that any votes to enter such sessions be documented in the meeting minutes. It also clarifies that nothing in the existing law prevents executive sessions if mandated by federal or state law. Violations of these provisions are classified as a Class 2 misdemeanor, reinforcing the seriousness of adhering to the established guidelines for closed meetings.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/06/2026: 1-25-2
Enrolled, 02/05/2026: 1-25-2