SDCA leadership and staff review all the bills filed during session and determines whether the organization should take a position based on SDCA organization's policy. In the first week of the 2026 session, things kicked off at a fast pace. There have been 181 bills and 12 resolutions filed so far and new bills will continue to be filed over the next few weeks. This is well ahead of bill count last year at the same time.
Agencies provided their first informational presentations in the House and Senate Committees and will complete their briefings next week, however bill hearings began right away this year. Here are a few of the bills we are watching so far:
SB 38 Increases the annual fee on CAFO permits. Last year the fee structure was changed from a flat fee to a per/head fee that varied based on animal type. DANR proposed the per/head fee be increased over a three year period, however the legislature rejected the multi-year increase and approved only the first year. DANR is now seeking the additional increase. For beef cattle producers the increase is from $0.12/head to $0.30/head.
Position: SDCA understands the needs to fully fund the program and provide increased services and technology for permit holders, and therefore will not oppose the bill.
Status: On Thursday SDCA testified in favor of the bill along with representatives from Farm Bureau, Pork, Dairy, and Conservation Districts. The bill was passed out of Senate Ag 7-0 with a due pass recommendation. The bill now heads to Senate Appropriations for consideration.
HB 1020 Increase the maximum cap for the livestock ownership inspection fee to $1.65. The Brand Board made a similar request last year that was voted down by the legislature. The current cap is set at $1.00, while actual costs to conduct inspections far exceeds that amount. The Brand Board was able to transfer funds from the brand registration and renewal fund as a temporary stop gap measure, however raising the fee is necessary to support the program costs. Once the cap is raised, the Brand Board will go through a rule making process to set the fee at a rate below that cap (likely around $1.45). This bill includes an emergency clause which means it will require 2/3 majority vote, but once passed and signed into law, it would take effect immediately. SDCA Brand Board Committee worked with the ad hoc work group comprised of brand board Position: Support
Status: Referred to House Ag
HB 1057 Bans the manufacture, sale, and distribution of any product containing cell-cultured protein, and establishes penalties for any violation of the law.
Position: Oppose. While SDCA and our producer members don't endorse or support cell cultured proteins, these types of bans are simply bad public policy. Learn more about why opposing these types of bans is the right call for cattle producers.
Status: Referred to House Ag
HB 1064 Allows for the sale of producer-raised meat and meat food products directly to consumers pending legalization under federal law. This is a trigger bill that would only take effect if federal regulations were to change in the future.
Position: Oppose. Allowing for sale of meat and meat food products that are not inspected and not subject to the same safety standards is a potential food safety risk.
Status: Referred to House Ag
HB 1077 Considers a cultivated protein food to be adulterated.
Position: Oppose. These products are inspected and regulated at a federal level. SDCA and other groups worked hard in 2025 to secure stronger labeling laws that clearly distinguished cell cultivated products so consumer can easily identify them.
Status: Referred to House Ag
All the 2026 bills filed can be found on the LRC website (see the legislative resources buttons below). SDCA compiles a list of bills we are watching which can be found in the Legislative Tracker. Please feel to reach out with any questions or if there are bills that you wish to testify on; our team is happy to help you!
Also in the tracker is a list of local cracker barrels and legislative coffee events across the state. Please consider attending these in your community and getting to know your legislators!
