The bill amends Section 13-54-11 of South Dakota law regarding the composition and appointment of county extension board members. It stipulates that the board of county commissioners must appoint a county extension board consisting of either five or seven members, with a requirement that at least two members are farmers. Additionally, at least one member must be a county commissioner, who can also serve as one of the farmer representatives. The bill emphasizes that membership cannot be denied based on color, creed, national origin, race, or sex, and mandates that the board's composition reflects the racial diversity of the county and the various interest groups served by extension.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the terms of appointment for county extension board members, which must be staggered and last between one to three years, with terms expiring on January 10th. It also requires the county extension board to organize and elect a president, vice president, and secretary-treasurer during its first meeting after January 10th each year. This revision aims to ensure a more inclusive and representative structure for county extension boards in South Dakota.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/21/2026: 13-54-11
Enrolled, 03/01/2026: 13-54-11