South Dakota legislation · 101st Legislature (2026)
South Dakota SB218: provide for the establishment of charter schools.
Status: In committee, February 20, 2026
What the bill says
An Act to provide for the establishment of charter schools.
From the engrossed text, February 17, 2026:
An Act to provide for the establishment of charter schools. 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 13: [ADDED: Terms used in this chapter mean:] [ADDED: (1) "Authorizing entity," the board of the school district in which an approved charter school is to be located or the Department of Education; and] [ADDED: (2) "Charter school," a public school that is established and operated under the terms of a contract between an authorizing entity and the independent governing board of a charter school pursuant to this chapter.] Section 2. That a NEW SECTION be added to a NEW CHAPTER in title 13: [ADDED: Except as otherwise provided in this chapter and §§ 13-13-10.1 and 13-37-35.1, a charter school is exempt from any state law or rule pertaining to a public school, school district, or the board of a school district.] [ADDED: A charter school must:] [ADDED: (1) Comply with civil rights, health, and safety requirements applicable to other public schools in this state;] [ADDED: (2) Be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations;] [ADDED: (3) Operate a physical structure where the school provides in-person academic instruction, extracurricular activities, and other functions associated with the educational program offered …
Sponsors
- Lauren Nelson (R, SD-018) · primary sponsor
- Tesa Schwans (R, HD-009) · primary sponsor
- Bobbi Andera (R, HD-010)
- Julie Auch (R, HD-018)
- Aaron Aylward (R, HD-006)
- Heather Baxter (R, HD-034)
- Greg Blanc (R, SD-035)
- Josephine Garcia (R, HD-005)
- Tamara Grove (R, SD-026)
- Joy Hohn (R, SD-009)
- Taffy Howard (R, 34)
- Jana Hunt (R, HD-028)
Latest actions
- : Reconsidered
- : Intent to reconsider
- : Do Pass Amended
- : Motion to amend
- : Do Pass Amended
- : Motion to amend
- : Scheduled for hearing
- : First read in Senate and referred to Education
Votes
- Reconsidered (February 20, 2026): 17 yea, 16 nay, passed
- Do Pass Amended (February 19, 2026): 17 yea, 17 nay, failed
- Do Pass Amended (February 17, 2026): 4 yea, 3 nay, passed
Subjects: Liability, Administrative Procedure, Teachers, Fees, Education, Charter Schools, Retirement System, Students
Common questions
- What is SB218?
- SB218 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (101st Legislature (2026)): provide for the establishment of charter schools.
- What does SB218 do?
- In its own words: An Act to provide for the establishment of charter schools.
- What is the status of SB218?
- In committee as of February 20, 2026. Latest action: Reconsidered (February 20, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB218?
- Lauren Nelson (R, SD-018), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB218?
- On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/26311
Source: official South Dakota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.