SDCA Week 9 Legislative Monitor Report

Week 9 was what we expected – busy and chaotic – but we were able to pass the budget of $7.5 billion for 2027.

This is a combination of state and federal money and the Big Three – education, providers and state employees- all received 1.4 percent increase for the coming year. The two big property tax bills were SB 96 – which allows counties to put on a sales tax up to ½ cent for owner occupied tax relief – and HB 245 – which transfers $55 million from the reserve and takes the sales tax for another $ 55 plus in the 2027 year for owner occupied property tax relief. The money from the reserve will be used in the first half of the fiscal year of the state. Veto Day is March 30. There were attempts to change the way schools, cities, and counties use the opt out procedure for excess tax levies but all those bills were killed.

SENATE BILLS

SB 106--Extraordinary Cost fund bill for special education and indexing to CPI – you should support – passed committee and sent to Appropriations Committee 6-1. Hearing in Sen Approp and passed committee and passed Senate 23-10. See narrative and bill is on the House floor on Monday.

SB 190--Rights of parents – 2/10 hearing in Sen Judiciary – we have seen this bill before – look at this closely for any objections – bill passed committee and died on the Senate floor but sponsor moved for reconsideration and it passed – Bill passed Senate 19-15. Bill is set for hearing in House State Affairs and passed and is on the House floor – OPPOSE – see narrative at front of report. Bill died after two attempts to pass.

 HOUSE BILLS           

HB 1082 –Establishes parameters for the reimbursement of schools that provide free or reduced price meals – Bill was sent to House Appropriations Committee with a due pass recommendation – passed Committee and passed House 46-20. See narrative – on Senate floor on Monday - support

HB 1187 – Make volunteer coaches mandatory child abuse reporters – Support – passed House Jud Committee with an amendment but new amendment was proposed and failed so another amendment was proposed that stated only coaches in school activities and that amendment passed, Bill then passed 66-0. Bill passed Senate Judiciary and is on consent in the Senate