South Dakota legislation · 101st Legislature (2026)
South Dakota HB1280: increase penalties for the operation of drones over certain facilities and to provide for mitigation techniques and countermeasures.
Status: Signed into law, March 12, 2026
What the bill says
An Act ENTITLED An Act to increase penalties for the operation of drones over certain facilities and to provide for mitigation techniques and countermeasures.
From the enrolled text, March 9, 2026:
An Act ENTITLED An Act to increase penalties for the operation of drones over certain facilities and to provide for mitigation techniques and countermeasures. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota: Section 1. That § 50-15-3 be AMENDED: 50-15-3. No person may operate a drone over the grounds of a prison, correctional facility, jail, juvenile detention facility, or any military facility unless expressly authorized by the administrator thereof. A violation of this section is a Class 6 felony. Law enforcement officers may utilize mitigation techniques and countermeasures, authorized in accordance with section 2 of this Act, in response to a violation of this section. Section 2. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 50-15: The Department of Public Safety may promulgate rules, in accordance with chapter 1-26, to: (1) Identify the nature and scope of mitigation techniques and drone countermeasures that may be utilized in response to a violation of § 50-15-3; and (2) Develop and implement a training program for law enforcement officers in the selection and use of mitigation techniques and drone countermeasures. An Act to increase penalties for the operation of drones over certain facilities and to provide for mitigation techniques and countermeasures. I certify that the attached Act originated in the:Houseas Bill No.1280Chief Clerk of the HouseSpeaker of the HouseAttest:Chief …
Sponsors
- Taffy Howard (R, 34) · primary sponsor
- Terri Jorgenson (R, HD-029) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Signed by the Governor
- : Delivered to the Governor
- : Signed by the President
- : Signed by the Speaker
- : Do Pass Amended
- : Certified uncontested, placed on consent
- : Do Pass
- : Scheduled for hearing
- : First read in Senate and referred to Judiciary
- : Do Pass Amended
Votes
- Do Pass Amended (March 5, 2026): 34 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 3, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass Amended (February 24, 2026): 61 yea, 5 nay, passed
- Do Pass Amended (February 19, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Law Enforcement, Aviation, Drones, Trespass, Civil Forfeiture, Hoghouse-Vehicle Bill
Common questions
- What is HB1280?
- HB1280 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (101st Legislature (2026)): increase penalties for the operation of drones over certain facilities and to provide for mitigation techniques and countermeasures.
- What does HB1280 do?
- In its own words: An Act ENTITLED An Act to increase penalties for the operation of drones over certain facilities and to provide for mitigation techniques and countermeasures.
- What is the status of HB1280?
- Signed into law as of March 12, 2026. Latest action: Signed by the Governor (March 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1280?
- Taffy Howard (R, 34), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB1280?
- On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/27255
Source: official South Dakota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.