South Dakota 2026 Regular Session Status: In Committee 5 R cosponsors

HB 1279 — permit technical college employees to join the state health plan.

Last action — Education Deferred to the 41st legislative day , Passed, YEAS 4, NAYS 3 S.J. 17

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced February 04, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 44% · moderate confidence

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 5 sponsors

    5 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (5 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 4 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

20 added · 20 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Bill HB 1279 allows technical colleges to join a specific employment plan under terms negotiated between the human resources commissioner and the college president. This change means that employees at technical colleges now have clearer options and support for joining the plan and the responsibility for contributions will rest with the local educational agency that employs them. Overall, these amendments aim to enhance participation and ensure that contributions align with those of other eligible employees, making it easier for college workers to access benefits common in their field.

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26.840.9 101st Legislative Session 1279 South Dakota Legislature House Bill 1279 Introduced by:
26.840.10 101st Legislative Session 1279 South Dakota Legislature House Bill 1279 HOUSE EDUCATION ENGROSSED Introduced by:
Notwithstanding any other sections of law, a technical college employee may join the plan.
Notwithstanding any other sections of law, a technical college may join the plan on terms and conditions agreed upon by the human resources commissioner and the president of the technical college.
Except as otherwise provided in this section, a technical college employee who participates in the plan is considered a plan-eligible employee under this chapter.
Except as otherwise provided in this section, a technical college employee who participates in the plan is considered a plan-eligible employee and a member of the plan under this chapter.
In lieu of the monthly state contribution described in § 3-6E-8, the LEA, as defined in § 13-39A-1, that employs a technical college employee shall contribute to the system an amount equivalent to the monthly contribution provided by the state for other plan- eligible employees.
In lieu of the monthly state contribution described in § 3-6E-8, the LEA, as defined in § 13-39A-1, that employs a technical college employee shall contribute to the system an amount no less than the monthly contribution provided by the state for other plan- eligible employees.
In lieu of a payroll deduction, as described under § 3-6E-9, a technical college employee enrolled in the plan shall pay to the state treasurer any premium or contribution required by the human resources commissioner, pursuant to § 3-6E-9.
In lieu of a payroll deduction by the state, as described under § 3-6E-9, a technical college participating in the plan may deduct from an employee's salary, and pay to the Overstrikes indicate deleted language.
A technical college or LEA, may not restrict a technical college employee from joining the plan.
26.840.10 2 1279 state treasurer any premium or contribution required by the human resources commissioner, pursuant to § 3-6E-9.
Overstrikes indicate deleted language.
26.840.9 2 1279 The human resources commissioner shall promulgate rules for the administration of this section.
26.840.9 3 1279 3-6E-13.
26.840.10 3 1279 3-6E-13.
The rules may must be promulgated in the following areas:
The rules may be promulgated in the following areas:
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Action History

  1. Education Deferred to the 41st legislative day , Passed, YEAS 4, NAYS 3 S.J. 17

  2. Scheduled for hearing

  3. First read in Senate and referred to Senate Education S.J. 398

  4. House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 63, NAYS 3 H.J. 430

  5. Committee on Appropriations Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 9, NAYS 0

  6. Scheduled for hearing H.J. 1

  7. Education Referred as Amended to , Passed, YEAS 9, NAYS 6

  8. Education Motion to amend , Passed, Amendment 1279B

  9. Scheduled for hearing

  10. First read in House and referred to House Education H.J. 218

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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5 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 100 not signed on · 12 voted No

Sponsors (5)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (100)

100 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 100 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Do Pass Amended

Passed 63 Yea · 3 Nay · 4 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 56304
Democratic 5000
Unaffiliated 2000
Total 63304
% of votes cast 90%4%0%6%
How each member voted (70)
Member Party Vote
Kolbeck (Jack) — Yea
Van Diepen — Yea
Eric Emery Democratic Yea
Erik Muckey Democratic Yea
Erin Healy Democratic Yea
Kadyn Wittman Democratic Yea
Nicole Uhre-Balk Democratic Yea
Aaron Aylward Republican Not Voting
Al Novstrup Republican Yea
Amber Arlint Republican Yea
Bethany Soye Republican Not Voting
Bobbi Andera Republican Yea
Brandei Schaefbauer Republican Yea
Brian Mulder Republican Yea
Chris Kassin Republican Yea
Curt Massie Republican Yea
David Kull Republican Yea
Drew Peterson Republican Yea
Dylan Jordan Republican Yea
Greg Jamison Republican Yea
Heather Baxter Republican Yea
Jana Hunt Republican Yea
Jeff Bathke Republican Not Voting
Jessica Bahmuller Republican Yea
Jim Halverson Republican Yea
John Hughes Republican Yea
John Shubeck Republican Yea
John Sjaarda Republican Yea
Jon Hansen Republican Yea
Josephine Garcia Republican Yea
Julie Auch Republican Yea
Kaley Nolz Republican Yea
Karla Lems Republican Yea
Kathy Rice Republican Yea
Kent Roe Republican Yea
Keri Weems Republican Yea
Lana Greenfield Republican Yea
Leslie Heinemann Republican Yea
Liz May Republican Yea
Logan Manhart Republican Yea
Marty Overweg Republican Yea
Mary Fitzgerald Republican Yea
Matt Roby Republican Yea
Mellissa Heermann Republican Yea
Mike Derby Republican Yea
Mike Stevens Republican Yea
Mike Weisgram Republican Yea
Nick Fosness Republican Yea
Peri Pourier Republican Not Voting
Phil Jensen Republican Yea
Rebecca Reimer Republican Yea
Roger DeGroot Republican Yea
Scott Moore Republican Yea
Scott Odenbach Republican Yea
Spencer Gosch Republican Yea
Steve Duffy Republican Yea
Taylor Rehfeldt Republican Yea
Terri Jorgenson Republican Yea
Tesa Schwans Republican Yea
Tim Czmowski Republican Yea
Tim Goodwin Republican Yea
Tim Reisch Republican Yea
Tim Walburg Republican Yea
Tina Mulally Republican Nay
Tony Kayser Republican Yea
Tony Randolph Republican Nay
Travis Ismay Republican Nay
Trish Ladner Republican Yea
Will Mortenson Republican Yea
William Shorma Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Referred as Amended to

Passed 9 Yea · 6 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 9500
Democratic 0100
Total 9600
% of votes cast 60%40%0%0%
How each member voted (15)
Member Party Vote
Nicole Uhre-Balk Democratic Nay
Amber Arlint Republican Nay
Dylan Jordan Republican Yea
Heather Baxter Republican Yea
Jim Halverson Republican Nay
Josephine Garcia Republican Yea
Kaley Nolz Republican Yea
Kathy Rice Republican Yea
Lana Greenfield Republican Yea
Logan Manhart Republican Yea
Mellissa Heermann Republican Nay
Mike Stevens Republican Nay
Roger DeGroot Republican Nay
Tesa Schwans Republican Yea
Travis Ismay Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

healthcare labor education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 1279?
HB 1279 is sponsored by Larry Zikmund (Republican), Glen Vilhauer (Republican), Matt Roby (Republican), Will Mortenson (Republican), and Paul Miskimins (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 1279?
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced February 04, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track HB 1279?
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