The bill amends South Dakota law to provide specific exemptions for debtors regarding their personal property. It allows each debtor, whether the head of a family or not, to select exempt property from their personal belongings, which must not be absolutely exempt. The amendments specify that debtors can choose up to $7,000 in value if they are the head of a family, or $5,000 if they are not, in addition to one motor vehicle valued at up to $5,000 over any existing security interest on that vehicle.

The bill also clarifies the process for selecting and appraising the exempt property, ensuring that it must be done in accordance with existing laws. This change aims to provide greater financial protection for debtors by allowing them to retain essential personal property, including a motor vehicle, during legal proceedings.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/28/2026: 43-45-4