South Dakota legislation · 101st Legislature (2026)
South Dakota SB135: protect residents from increased utility costs and utility shortages caused by data centers and clarify authority to regulate data centers.
Status: Signed into law, March 30, 2026
What the bill says
An Act ENTITLED An Act to protect residents from increased utility costs and utility shortages caused by data centers and clarify authority to regulate data centers.
From the enrolled text, March 11, 2026:
An Act ENTITLED An Act to protect residents from increased utility costs and utility shortages caused by data centers and clarify authority to regulate data centers. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota: Section 1. This Act is known as the "Data Center Bill of Rights for Citizens." Section 2. That a NEW SECTION be added to a NEW CHAPTER in title 49: For purposes of this chapter, "data center" means a centralized repository for the dissemination, management, processing, and storage of electronic data and information, with a peak demand of ten megawatts or greater. Section 3. That a NEW SECTION be added to a NEW CHAPTER in title 49: A provider of electricity shall establish and maintain separate terms and conditions for electric service applicable to a data center. The terms and conditions must require that the data center reimburse any provider of electricity for all costs fairly attributed to the data center for service demand and utility consumption, including costs incurred to serve the data center if the data center departs the system or materially reduces its load. Section 4. That a NEW SECTION be added to a NEW CHAPTER in title 49: The state may not preempt or otherwise limit the authority of the governing body of a county, municipality, or other …
Sponsors
- Jon Hansen (R, HD-025) · primary sponsor
- Chris Karr (R, SD-011) · primary sponsor
- Bobbi Andera (R, HD-010)
- Aaron Aylward (R, HD-006)
- Heather Baxter (R, HD-034)
- Lana Greenfield (R, HD-022)
- Leslie Heinemann (R, HD-025)
- Joy Hohn (R, SD-009)
- Taffy Howard (R, 34)
- Mark Lapka (R, SD-023)
- Karla Lems (R, HD-016)
- Elizabeth May (R, HD-027)
Latest actions
- : Signed by the Governor
- : Delivered to the Governor
- : Signed by the Speaker
- : Signed by the President
- : Concurred in amendments
- : Do Pass Amended
- : Remove from Consent Calendar
- : Certified uncontested, placed on consent
- : Do Pass Amended
- : Motion to amend
Votes
- Do Pass Amended (March 5, 2026): 60 yea, 7 nay, passed
- Do Pass Amended (March 2, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Motion to amend (February 20, 2026): 30 yea, 4 nay, passed
- Do Pass Amended (February 20, 2026): 34 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass (February 18, 2026): 5 yea, 4 nay, passed
- Concurred in amendments (January 26, 2026): 33 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: Administrative Procedure, Public Utilities and Carriers, Public Records and Files, Data Centers, Tax Exemptions and Refunds, Planning, Zoning and Housing Programs, Water Management, Reports
Common questions
- What is SB135?
- SB135 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (101st Legislature (2026)): protect residents from increased utility costs and utility shortages caused by data centers and clarify authority to regulate data centers.
- What does SB135 do?
- In its own words: An Act ENTITLED An Act to protect residents from increased utility costs and utility shortages caused by data centers and clarify authority to regulate data centers.
- What is the status of SB135?
- Signed into law as of March 30, 2026. Latest action: Signed by the Governor (March 30, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB135?
- Jon Hansen (R, HD-025), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB135?
- On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/27028
Source: official South Dakota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.