State lawmakers wrapped up their final summer study session on property taxes Wednesday, capping months of discussion aimed at finding ways to ease the tax burden for South Dakotans. While the meetings generated nearly 30 proposals, the challenge now lies in narrowing them down to actionable solutions before the legislative session ends.
Nathan Sanderson of the South Dakota Retailers’ Association expressed concern over the lack of clear direction, saying the committee offered too many ideas without reaching consensus. Still, Sanderson praised proposals that prioritize relief for vulnerable groups, including seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Among the more controversial ideas were changes to sales tax policy, such as accelerating the end of former Governor Kristi Noem’s sales tax reduction and eliminating certain exemptions. Deb Peters, a lobbyist for the Association of National Advertisers, warned that such moves could backfire, saying “Additional taxes would only compound these challenges, driving people and investments out of South Dakota, which then drives up property taxes.
The committee approved most of the proposals, but even those rejected remain on the table, as the meeting’s outcomes serve only as recommendations for future legislative debate.
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