South Dakota legislation · 101st Legislature (2026)
South Dakota HB1270: provide an apprenticeship pathway to practice law in South Dakota.
Status: Failed, February 23, 2026
What the bill says
An Act to provide an apprenticeship pathway to practice law in South Dakota.
From the introduced text, February 3, 2026:
An Act to provide an apprenticeship pathway to practice law in South Dakota. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota: Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to a NEW CHAPTER in title 16: [ADDED: The Legislature hereby creates a legal apprenticeship pathway to licensure as an attorney in the state of South Dakota.] Section 2. That a NEW SECTION be added to a NEW CHAPTER in title 16: [ADDED: The Legislature hereby creates a legal apprenticeship program if the following conditions are met:] [ADDED: (1) The applicant is a graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Law;] [ADDED: (2) The applicant is a resident of the state of South Dakota at the time of commencement of the apprenticeship and completion; and] [ADDED: (3) The applicant successfully completes six hundred seventy-five hours of supervised apprenticeship under a qualified supervising attorney within the state of South Dakota.] [ADDED: A supervising attorney may include an attorney employed by or associated with a government legal department, or any attorney engaged in the private practice of law.] Section 3. That a NEW SECTION be added to a NEW CHAPTER in title 16: [ADDED: A supervising attorney shall:] [ADDED: (1) Be licensed and in good standing to practice law in this state; and] [ADDED: (2) Have engaged …
Sponsors
- Mary Fitzgerald (R, HD-031) · primary sponsor
- Amber Hulse (R, SD-030) · primary sponsor
- Eric Emery (D, HD-026)
- Timothy Goodwin (R, HD-030)
- Rebecca Reimer (R, HD-026B)
Latest actions
- : Deferred to the 41st legislative day
- : Scheduled for hearing
- : Referred to Judiciary
- : First Reading House
Votes
- Deferred to the 41st legislative day (February 23, 2026): 10 yea, 3 nay, passed
Subjects: Licensure, Courts and Judiciary, Criminal Background Investigation
Common questions
- What is HB1270?
- HB1270 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (101st Legislature (2026)): provide an apprenticeship pathway to practice law in South Dakota.
- What does HB1270 do?
- In its own words: An Act to provide an apprenticeship pathway to practice law in South Dakota.
- What is the status of HB1270?
- Failed as of February 23, 2026. Latest action: Deferred to the 41st legislative day (February 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1270?
- Mary Fitzgerald (R, HD-031), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1270?
- On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/27060
Source: official South Dakota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.