South Dakota legislation · 101st Legislature (2026)
South Dakota HB1279: permit technical college employees to join the state health plan.
Status: Failed, March 5, 2026
What the bill says
An Act to permit technical college employees to join the state health plan.
From the engrossed text, February 20, 2026:
An Act to permit technical college employees to join the state health plan. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota: Section 1. That § 3-6E-1 be AMENDED: 3-6E-1. The bureau may establish a benefits plan for plan-eligible employees of the state [ADDED: and technical college employees, pursuant to section 2 of this Act] . The plan may [DELETED: either] be self-funded or established as a group health insurance program. The plan may provide for group health coverage against the financial cost of hospital, surgical, pharmacy, and medical treatment and care, and any other coverage or benefits the human resources commissioner determines is appropriate [DELETED: and desirable] . The human resources commissioner may include a flexible benefit plan [DELETED: which] [ADDED: that] allows an employee to choose the employee's own benefits or levels of coverage. Section 2. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 3-6E: [ADDED: Notwithstanding any other sections of law, a technical college may join the plan on terms and conditions agreed upon by the human resources commissioner and the president of the technical college.] [ADDED: Except as otherwise provided in this section, a technical college employee who participates in the plan is considered a plan-eligible employee and a member of the plan under this chapter.] [ADDED: In lieu of the monthly state …
Sponsors
- Paul Miskimins (R, 20) · primary sponsor
- Will Mortenson (R, HD-024) · primary sponsor
- Matt Roby (R, HD-005)
- Glen Vilhauer (R, SD-005)
- Larry Zikmund (R, 14)
Latest actions
- : Deferred to the 41st legislative day
- : Scheduled for hearing
- : First read in Senate and referred to Education
- : Do Pass Amended
- : Do Pass
- : Scheduled for hearing
- : Referred as Amended to Committee on Appropriations
- : Motion to amend
- : Scheduled for hearing
- : First read in House and referred to Education
Votes
- Deferred to the 41st legislative day (March 5, 2026): 4 yea, 3 nay, passed
- Do Pass Amended (February 24, 2026): 63 yea, 3 nay, passed
- Do Pass (February 23, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Referred as Amended to (February 20, 2026): 9 yea, 6 nay, passed
Subjects: State Employees, Higher Education, Public Officers and Employees, Delayed Effective Date
Common questions
- What is HB1279?
- HB1279 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (101st Legislature (2026)): permit technical college employees to join the state health plan.
- What does HB1279 do?
- In its own words: An Act to permit technical college employees to join the state health plan.
- What is the status of HB1279?
- Failed as of March 5, 2026. Latest action: Deferred to the 41st legislative day (March 5, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1279?
- Paul Miskimins (R, 20), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1279?
- On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/27139
Source: official South Dakota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.