This bill amends several sections of South Dakota law to establish an automatic refund process for assessments on crops, livestock, and milk. Key changes include the introduction of electronic submission options for refund applications, which will be made available online by the relevant commissions and councils. Specifically, the bill allows growers and sellers to file a single electronic request for an automatic refund of all assessments paid during the calendar year, with a deadline of December 31st for submission. This new process aims to streamline the refund application procedure and enhance accessibility for producers.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing provisions regarding the timeframe for filing refund applications, changing the language to clarify that applicants must submit their requests within sixty days following the assessment. It also specifies that the commissions and councils must provide electronic submission capabilities for all required documentation. Overall, the bill seeks to simplify the refund process and ensure that producers can efficiently reclaim assessments paid under the law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/29/2026: 38-10-34, 38-27-16, 38-32-20, 38-33-10, 38-34-18, 40-31-17