# South Dakota SB 198: restrict the use of a cell phone by a student during the school day.

South Dakota SB 198, restrict the use of a cell phone by a student during the school day., is a 101st South Dakota Legislature (2026) Senate bill sponsored by Karr, Chris (Republican), Rehfeldt, Taylor (Republican); status in committee, last action 2026-03-05 (Do Pass Amended) (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-SB198-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: South Dakota SB 198
- State: South Dakota
- Session: 101st South Dakota Legislature (2026)
- Title: restrict the use of a cell phone by a student during the school day.
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-29
- Last action: 2026-03-05, Do Pass Amended
- Sponsors: Karr, Chris (Republican), Rehfeldt, Taylor (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 5
- Subjects: Education, School Districts, Students, Technology, Telecommunications
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 8 (135 yes, 102 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Karr, Chris (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Rehfeldt, Taylor (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Andera, Bobbi L. (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Heinemann, Leslie J. (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Larson, Liz (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Perry, Carl (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Voight, Curt (Republican), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-05 | House | Do Pass Amended | fail | 28 | 39 |   |
| 2026-03-04 | House | Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6 | pass | 50 | 17 |   |
| 2026-03-02 | House | Deferred to the 41st legislative day | pass | 8 | 7 |   |
| 2026-02-17 | Senate | Do Pass Amended | pass | 19 | 15 |   |
| 2026-02-11 | Senate | Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6 | pass | 19 | 14 |   |
| 2026-02-10 | Senate | Do Pass Amended | fail | 3 | 4 |   |
| 2026-02-10 | Senate | Report out of committee without recommendation as amended | pass | 5 | 2 |   |
| 2026-02-10 | Senate | Do Pass | fail | 3 | 4 |   |

## Actions (17)

- 2026-03-05: Do Pass Amended (House)
- 2026-03-05: Motion to amend (House)
- 2026-03-04: Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6 (House)
- 2026-03-03: Report out of committee without recommendation (House)
- 2026-03-03: Recalled from committee (Rule 7-7) (House)
- 2026-03-02: Deferred to the 41st legislative day (House)
- 2026-03-02: Scheduled for hearing (House)
- 2026-02-25: Scheduled for hearing (House)
- 2026-02-18: First read in House and referred to (House)
- 2026-02-17: Do Pass Amended (Senate)
- 2026-02-11: Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6 (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Report out of committee without recommendation as amended (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Do Pass Amended (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Motion to amend (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Do Pass (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Scheduled for hearing (Senate)
- 2026-01-29: First read in Senate and referred to (Senate)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2026-01-29: [PDF](https://mylrc.sdlegislature.gov/api/Documents/302484.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 1149: adopt the athletic trainer licensure compact. (signed)
- HB 1148: adopt the respiratory care interstate 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/302484.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 1149: adopt the athletic trainer licensure compact.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1149-2026)
- [HB 1148: adopt the respiratory care interstate compact.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1148-2026)
- [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-SB198-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).