South Dakota legislation · 101st Legislature (2026)
South Dakota HB1226: authorize boards of county commissioners to adopt policies for investigating allegations of misconduct of county departments, em
Status: Failed, February 5, 2026
authorize boards of county commissioners to adopt policies for investigating allegations of misconduct of county departments, employees, and officers.
What the bill says
An Act to authorize boards of county commissioners to adopt policies for investigating allegations of misconduct of county departments, employees, and officers.
From the introduced text, January 29, 2026:
An Act to authorize boards of county commissioners to adopt policies for investigating allegations of misconduct of county departments, employees, and officers. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota: Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 7-8: [ADDED: A board of county commissioners may adopt investigatory and oversight policies related to any department, employee, or officer of the county. If the board adopts a policy pursuant to this section, the policy must:] [ADDED: (1) Establish procedures for investigating county employees and officers alleged to have committed or engaged in abuse of authority, chronic absenteeism, conflicts of interest, insubordination, neglect of duties, nepotism, or any of the conduct constituting grounds for removal of an officer pursuant to § 3-17-6;] [ADDED: (2) Designate which employees, officers, and third persons may conduct investigations under the policy, and require that at least one investigator is from outside the department that is the subject of the complaint;] [ADDED: (3) Provide standards for confidentiality and due process; and] [ADDED: (4) Comply with the process set forth in §§ 3-17-6 to 3-17-11, inclusive.] Underscores indicate new language. [DELETED: Overstrikes] indicate deleted language.
Sponsors
- Spencer Gosch (R, HD-023) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Deferred to the 41st legislative day
- : Motion to amend
- : Scheduled for hearing
- : First read in House and referred to Local Government
Votes
- Deferred to the 41st legislative day (February 5, 2026): 11 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: Counties
Common questions
- What is HB1226?
- HB1226 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (101st Legislature (2026)): authorize boards of county commissioners to adopt policies for investigating allegations of misconduct of county departments, em.
- What does HB1226 do?
- In its own words: An Act to authorize boards of county commissioners to adopt policies for investigating allegations of misconduct of county departments, employees, and officers.
- What is the status of HB1226?
- Failed as of February 5, 2026. Latest action: Deferred to the 41st legislative day (February 5, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1226?
- Spencer Gosch (R, HD-023).
- Where is the official record for HB1226?
- On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/27149
Source: official South Dakota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.