South Dakota legislation · 101st Legislature (2026)
South Dakota SB137: establish procedures for anti-SLAPP actions to protect the exercise of a person's constitutional rights, including freedom of speech.
Status: Signed into law, March 30, 2026
What the bill says
An Act ENTITLED An Act to establish procedures for anti-SLAPP actions to protect the exercise of a person's constitutional rights, including freedom of speech.
From the enrolled text, March 9, 2026:
An Act ENTITLED An Act to establish procedures for anti-SLAPP actions to protect the exercise of a person's constitutional rights, including freedom of speech. 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 15: Except as otherwise provided in section 2 of this Act, the provisions of this chapter apply to a cause of action against a person based on the person's protected public expression. For purposes of this chapter, "protected public expression" includes: (1) Communication in a legislative, executive, judicial, administrative, or other governmental proceeding; (2) Communication on an issue under consideration or review in a legislative, executive, judicial, administrative, or other governmental proceeding; or (3) Exercise of the person's right of freedom of speech or of the press, the right to assemble or petition, or the right of association, as guaranteed by the United States Constitution or South Dakota Constitution, on a matter of public concern. Section 2. That a NEW SECTION be added to a NEW CHAPTER in title 15: The provisions of this chapter do not apply to a cause of action asserted: (1) Against a governmental unit or an employee or agent of a governmental unit acting or purporting to act in an official capacity; (2) By a …
Sponsors
- Amber Hulse (R, SD-030) · primary sponsor
- Logan Manhart (R, HD-001) · primary sponsor
- Timothy Goodwin (R, HD-030)
- Taffy Howard (R, 34)
- Kathy Rice (R, HD-029)
- Matt Roby (R, HD-005)
Latest actions
- : Signed by the Governor
- : Delivered to the Governor
- : Signed by the Speaker
- : Signed by the President
- : Do Pass Amended
- : Certified uncontested, placed on consent
- : Do Pass
- : Scheduled for hearing
- : First read in House and referred to Judiciary
- : Do Pass Amended
Votes
- Do Pass Amended (March 5, 2026): 65 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 4, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass Amended (February 9, 2026): 33 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass Amended (February 5, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Liability, Court Costs, Speech and Expression, Civil Procedure, Attorney's Fees
Common questions
- What is SB137?
- SB137 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (101st Legislature (2026)): establish procedures for anti-SLAPP actions to protect the exercise of a person's constitutional rights, including freedom of speech.
- What does SB137 do?
- In its own words: An Act ENTITLED An Act to establish procedures for anti-SLAPP actions to protect the exercise of a person's constitutional rights, including freedom of speech.
- What is the status of SB137?
- Signed into law as of March 30, 2026. Latest action: Signed by the Governor (March 30, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB137?
- Amber Hulse (R, SD-030), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB137?
- On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/26918
Source: official South Dakota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.