Legislative Update
Rep. Nick Fosness
Property tax relief remains a top priority in our last week of session. Last week, our Legislature passed the Governor’s tax relief proposal, delivering real help to ease the taxes on owner-occupied taxes. This is an optional County sales tax of .05%. There is now an option for counties that will allow meaningful, lasting property tax relief for any county that participates. This Governor bill is Senate Bill 96.
The current state sales tax rate is 4.2%, which was reduced from 4.5% a few years ago and will return to 4.5% next year per past legislation. This final week we will be discussing this .03% increase next year and how these funds will be used.
Beyond taxes, this last week will also present the budget for next year. It is looking like 1.4% increase to schools, state employees, and Medicaid providers, like nursing homes. The Governor’s proposal was 0%, and a few weeks ago it looked like 1%, so to move a positive direction is better than nothing. My focus is ensuring that we can budget increases annually and not scramble in the last week for resolve.
I voted in favor of increased statewide funding for victim services. Shelters and advocacy groups assist over 15,000 victims annually, but declining federal funds have created major challenges. This legislation will help ensure these organizations can continue offering essential support such as emergency housing, crisis hotlines, counseling, transportation, and case management so victims and their families get the help they need right away.
Funding was approved to replace the South Dakota Highway Patrol’s outdated and currently grounded aircraft, which was out of service for 95 days last year waiting on parts. Reliable tools are critical for law enforcement during emergencies, and this investment ensures our officers have what they need to protect South Dakotans.
To address safety inside our prisons, we strengthened penalties for drug-related offenses in the penitentiary system following eight overdose deaths in the past year. Bringing drugs into facilities or using them inside endangers inmates and staff alike. This bill restores accountability and helps keep correctional environments secure.
Supporting our first responders was another important step. We allocated funding to assist volunteer fire departments in purchasing personal protective equipment. With about 9,000 volunteer firefighters statewide, regularly updating turnout gear is essential to meet safety standards and protect those who serve our rural and local communities.
Infrastructure planning moved forward with funding for roadway and related improvements around Ellsworth Air Force Base, as it gears up for the B-21 bomber fleet. Ellsworth is crucial to our state’s economy and national defense.
We also acted to protect national security by approving restrictions on certain foreign entities buying land near sensitive military sites.
It’s an honor to represent District 1 and work alongside my colleagues on policies that strengthen our families, communities, and South Dakota as a whole.
As always, please reach out if you have questions, ideas, or feedback from the past week—I’m here to listen and serve.
Nick Fosness
Representative, District 1
605-228-5555
