South Dakota legislation · 101st Legislature (2026)
South Dakota HB1278: prohibit certain political committees from accepting contributions by certain officers or employees of this state.
Status: In committee, February 23, 2026
What the bill says
An Act to prohibit certain political committees from accepting contributions by certain officers or employees of this state.
From the engrossed text, February 19, 2026:
An Act to prohibit certain political committees from accepting contributions by certain officers or employees of this state. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota: Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 12-27: [ADDED: Neither t] [ADDED: he candidate campaign committee of a state official nor a political action committee affiliated with a state official may accept a contribution from a state employee who is] [ADDED: employed or appointed by the official and:] [ADDED: (1) Is the head of a department or agency of state government;] [ADDED: (2) Is the highest paid employee, not including the head, in the department or agency; or] [ADDED: (3) Reports directly to the official.] [ADDED: For purposes of this section, "state official" means the Governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer, attorney general, commissioner of school and public lands, a commissioner with the Public Utilities Commission of the State of South Dakota, or a member of the Legislature.] Section 2. [ADDED: This Act is effective beginning January 1, 2027.] Underscores indicate new language. [DELETED: Overstrikes] indicate deleted language.
Sponsors
- Will Mortenson (R, HD-024) · primary sponsor
- Tim Reed (R, 07) · primary sponsor
- Timothy Goodwin (R, HD-030)
- Mellissa Heermann (R, HD-007)
- Erik Muckey (D, HD-015)
- Nicole Uhre-Balk (D, HD-032)
Latest actions
- : Do Pass Amended
- : Do Pass Amended
- : Motion to amend
- : Scheduled for hearing
- : First read in House and referred to State Affairs
Votes
- Do Pass Amended (February 23, 2026): 20 yea, 47 nay, failed
- Do Pass Amended (February 18, 2026): 8 yea, 4 nay, passed
Subjects: Elections, Political Committees, Campaign Finance, Public Officers and Employees, Delayed Effective Date
Common questions
- What is HB1278?
- HB1278 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (101st Legislature (2026)): prohibit certain political committees from accepting contributions by certain officers or employees of this state.
- What does HB1278 do?
- In its own words: An Act to prohibit certain political committees from accepting contributions by certain officers or employees of this state.
- What is the status of HB1278?
- In committee as of February 23, 2026. Latest action: Do Pass Amended (February 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1278?
- Will Mortenson (R, HD-024), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1278?
- On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/26650
Source: official South Dakota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.