Sen. Sue Peterson, R-Sioux Falls, speaks to the Senate State Affairs Committee on Feb. 9, 2026, at the South Dakota Capitol in Pierre. She is the sponsor of a bill that would make it easier to force an election on a school board decision to exceed state-imposed property tax limits. (Photo by Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)
PIERRE — South Dakota state representatives rejected a proposal Thursday that would make it easier to force an election after a school board decides to exceed property tax limitations.
School districts can already raise more revenue by “opting out” of property tax limits set by the state, and local residents can petition that decision to a public vote.
Petitioners are required to collect signatures from 5% of registered voters in the school district in 20 days. The bill would change that to require 5% of voters who cast a ballot in the last school board election or 50 voters, whichever is greater, and give petitioners 40 days to collect signatures.
