# South Dakota HB 1280: increase penalties for the operation of drones over certain facilities and to provide for mitigation techniques and countermeasures.

South Dakota HB 1280, increase penalties for the operation of drones over certain facilities and to provide for mitigation techniques and countermeasures., is a 101st South Dakota Legislature (2026) House bill sponsored by Howard, Taffy (Republican), Jorgenson, Terri (Republican); status signed, last action 2026-03-12 (Signed by the Governor) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1280-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: South Dakota HB 1280
- State: South Dakota
- Session: 101st South Dakota Legislature (2026)
- Title: increase penalties for the operation of drones over certain facilities and to provide for mitigation techniques and countermeasures.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-02-04
- Last action: 2026-03-12, Signed by the Governor
- Sponsors: Howard, Taffy (Republican), Jorgenson, Terri (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Aviation, Civil Forfeiture, Drones, Hoghouse-Vehicle Bill, Law Enforcement, Trespass
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 4 (113 yes, 5 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 1

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Drone operators face felonies over restricted facilities: cost, low. South Dakota requires express permission from the facility administrator to fly drones over the grounds of certain facilities. These include prisons, correctional facilities, jails, juvenile detention facilities, and military facilities. Flying without that permission is a Class 6 felony. Law enfor…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Howard, Taffy (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Jorgenson, Terri (Republican), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-05 | Senate | Do Pass Amended | pass | 34 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-03 | Senate | Do Pass | pass | 7 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-24 | House | Do Pass Amended | pass | 61 | 5 |   |
| 2026-02-19 | House | Do Pass Amended | pass | 11 | 0 |   |

## Actions (16)

- 2026-03-12: Signed by the Governor (House)
- 2026-03-10: Delivered to the Governor (House)
- 2026-03-10: Signed by the President (Senate)
- 2026-03-09: Signed by the Speaker (House)
- 2026-03-05: Senate Do Pass Amended, Passed, YEAS 34, NAYS 0 (Senate)
- 2026-03-03: Certified uncontested, placed on consent (Senate)
- 2026-03-03: Senate Judiciary Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0 (Senate)
- 2026-03-03: Scheduled for hearing (Senate)
- 2026-02-25: First read in Senate and referred to Senate Judiciary (Senate)
- 2026-02-24: House of Representatives Do Pass Amended, Passed, YEAS 61, NAYS 5 (House)
- 2026-02-19: Certified uncontested, placed on consent (House)
- 2026-02-19: House Military and Veterans Affairs Do Pass Amended, Passed, YEAS 11, NAYS 0 (House)
- 2026-02-19: House Military and Veterans Affairs Motion to amend, Passed (House)
- 2026-02-19: Scheduled for hearing (House)
- 2026-02-09: Scheduled for hearing (House)
- 2026-02-04: First read in House and referred to House Military and Veterans Affairs (House)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2026-02-04: [PDF](https://mylrc.sdlegislature.gov/api/Documents/306453.pdf)

## Related bills

- HB 1245: authorize municipalities to establish a local funding mechanism for capital improvement projects. (signed)
- HB 1193: modify the provisions for a refund of taxes to disabled veterans and surviving spouses under certain property tax relief programs. (signed)
- HB 1148: adopt the respiratory care interstate compact. (signed)
- HB 1149: adopt the athletic trainer licensure compact. (signed)
- HB 1051: revise property tax levies for school districts and to revise the state aid to general and special education formulas. (signed)
- HB 1082: establish parameters for the reimbursement of school districts that provide free or reduced-price meals to students. (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://mylrc.sdlegislature.gov/api/Documents/306453.pdf)

## Related
- [HB 1245: authorize municipalities to establish a local funding mechanism for capital imp…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1245-2026)
- [HB 1193: modify the provisions for a refund of taxes to disabled veterans and surviving…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1193-2026)
- [HB 1148: adopt the respiratory care interstate compact.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1148-2026)
- [HB 1149: adopt the athletic trainer licensure compact.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1149-2026)
- [HB 1051: revise property tax levies for school districts and to revise the state aid to…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1051-2026)
- [HB 1082: establish parameters for the reimbursement of school districts that provide fre…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1082-2026)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1280-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).