The bill amends various sections of South Dakota's municipal government laws, focusing on the procedures for filling vacancies, the roles of municipal officers, and the establishment of civil service systems. Key amendments clarify that a vacancy in the mayor's office must be filled by appointment from the aldermen, with the mayor pro tempore executing the mayor's duties until the vacancy is filled. It also specifies that a resignation from the mayor must be in writing and outlines eligibility criteria for individuals seeking elective office, emphasizing residency requirements. Additionally, the bill addresses the appointment and removal of municipal officers, the duties of the municipal finance officer, and allows municipalities to adopt ordinances for civil service boards to review employee suspensions or removals.

Furthermore, the bill proposes amendments to the procedures for enacting and managing ordinances and resolutions, including clarifying definitions and establishing that ordinances must contain only one subject expressed in the title. It details the voting and publication requirements for both ordinances and resolutions and introduces provisions for the streamlined publication of comprehensive regulations or codes. The bill also addresses the responsibilities of municipal finance officers and the consequences of failing to file required tax returns or payments. By repealing outdated sections of law, the bill aims to modernize the legal framework governing municipal operations, enhancing efficiency and clarity while ensuring compliance with legal standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/29/2026: 9-8-2, 9-8-3, 9-14-2, 9-14-3, 9-14-4, 9-14-5, 9-14-6, 9-14-9, 9-14-10, 9-14-12, 9-14-13, 9-14-14, 9-14-15, 9-14-16, 9-14-16.1, 9-14-17, 9-14-22, 9-14-23, 9-14-24, 9-14-26, 9-14-27, 9-14-29, 9-14-30, 9-14-33, 9-14-35.1, 9-14-36, 9-14-37, 9-14-39, 9-14-42, 9-14-43, 9-18-2, 9-18-3, 9-19-1, 9-19-3, 9-19-3.1, 9-19-5, 9-19-7, 9-19-8, 9-19-9, 9-19-10, 9-19-11, 9-19-12, 9-19-13, 9-19-14, 9-19-14.1, 9-19-15, 9-19-16, 9-19-17, 9-19-18, 10-33A-18, 10-45-55, 10-46-47.1, 10-46A-13, 10-46B-11, 23A-1-1, 9-14-6.1, 9-14-7, 9-14-18, 9-14-19, 9-14-20, 9-14-21, 9-14-31, 9-14-32, 9-19-22
Enrolled, 02/23/2026: 9-8-2, 9-8-3, 9-14-2, 9-14-3, 9-14-4, 9-14-5, 9-14-6, 9-14-9, 9-14-10, 9-14-12, 9-14-13, 9-14-14, 9-14-15, 9-14-16, 9-14-16.1, 9-14-17, 9-14-22, 9-14-23, 9-14-24, 9-14-26, 9-14-27, 9-14-29, 9-14-30, 9-14-33, 9-14-35.1, 9-14-36, 9-14-37, 9-14-39, 9-14-42, 9-14-43, 9-18-2, 9-18-3, 9-19-1, 9-19-3, 9-19-3.1, 9-19-5, 9-19-7, 9-19-8, 9-19-9, 9-19-10, 9-19-11, 9-19-12, 9-19-13, 9-19-14, 9-19-14.1, 9-19-15, 9-19-16, 9-19-17, 9-19-18, 10-33A-18, 10-45-55, 10-46-47.1, 10-46A-13, 10-46B-11, 23A-1-1, 9-14-6.1, 9-14-7, 9-14-18, 9-14-19, 9-14-20, 9-14-21, 9-14-31, 9-14-32, 9-19-22