South Dakota legislation · 101st Legislature (2026)
South Dakota SCR608: urging collaboration to reduce hunger and food waste in this state under the protections of the 1996 Bill Emerson Good Samaritan
Status: In committee, February 25, 2026
urging collaboration to reduce hunger and food waste in this state under the protections of the 1996 Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act.
What the bill says
An Act A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging collaboration to reduce hunger and food waste in this state under the protections of the 1996 Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act.
From the enrolled text, February 26, 2026:
An Act A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging collaboration to reduce hunger and food waste in this state under the protections of the 1996 Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act. WHEREAS, currently, disruptions in government assistance programs have increased hunger and the need for further assistance from other sectors; and WHEREAS, for some individuals and families, the likelihood of experiencing food insecurity has grown significantly and continues to increase, as one out of eight people and one out of six children faced food insecurity in 2025; and WHEREAS, restaurants, grocery stores, and other food service establishments dispose of food every day, with thirty-five percent of all usable food ending up in landfills; and WHEREAS, the disposed food is often perfectly safe, edible, and wholesome; and WHEREAS, the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act of 1996, 42 U.S.C. § 1791 (January 1, 2026), protects food donors from liability and encourages food donations to nonprofit organizations; and WHEREAS, because of these legislative efforts, individuals who strive to do the right thing by donating food to those who are less fortunate are guaranteed a level of protection from liability; and WHEREAS, these liability protections provide individuals comfort when donating food items to nonprofit organizations that are better equipped to collect, process, and distribute the items to members of the community; and WHEREAS, these …
Sponsors
- Jamie Smith (D, SD-015) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Concurred in Resolution as Amended
- : Committee referral waived pursuant to JR 6D-1
- : First Reading House
- : Adopt Resolution as amended
- : Motion to amend resolution
- : Deferred to another day
- : First read in Senate and referral to committee waived pursuant to JR 6D-1
Votes
- Concurred in Resolution as Amended (February 25, 2026): 56 yea, 9 nay, passed
- Adopt Resolution as amended (February 11, 2026): 30 yea, 3 nay, passed
Subjects: Public Welfare and Assistance, Senate Concurrent Resolution
Common questions
- What is SCR608?
- SCR608 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (101st Legislature (2026)): urging collaboration to reduce hunger and food waste in this state under the protections of the 1996 Bill Emerson Good Samaritan.
- What does SCR608 do?
- In its own words: An Act A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging collaboration to reduce hunger and food waste in this state under the protections of the 1996 Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act.
- What is the status of SCR608?
- In committee as of February 25, 2026. Latest action: Concurred in Resolution as Amended (February 25, 2026).
- Who sponsored SCR608?
- Jamie Smith (D, SD-015).
- Where is the official record for SCR608?
- On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/27293
Source: official South Dakota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.