require the display of the state motto in public schools and provide for associated legal representation.

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

require the display of the state motto in public schools and provide for associated legal representation.

require the display of the state motto in public schools and provide for associated legal representation.

What This Bill Does

• require the display of the state motto in public schools and provide for associated legal representation.
• Official keyword topics: Education Liability Schools State Emblems Official sponsor note: Representatives <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4770/Detail">Jensen (Phil)</a> (prime), <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4766/Detail">Hunt</a>, <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4771/Detail">Jordan</a>, and <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4805/Detail">Randolph</a> and Senators <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4740/Detail">Carley</a> and <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4828/Detail">Voight</a>

Limits and Unknowns

• This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Official Summary Text

require the display of the state motto in public schools and provide for associated legal representation.
Official keyword topics:
Education
Liability
Schools
State Emblems
Official sponsor note: Representatives <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4770/Detail">Jensen (Phil)</a> (prime), <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4766/Detail">Hunt</a>, <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4771/Detail">Jordan</a>, and <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4805/Detail">Randolph</a> and Senators <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4740/Detail">Carley</a> and <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4828/Detail">Voight</a>

Current Bill Text

26.468.24 101st Legislative Session 1243

2026 South Dakota Legislature
House Bill 1243
HOUSE EDUCATION ENGROSSED

Introduced by: Representative Jensen (Phil)

Underscores indicate new language.
Overstrikes indicate deleted language.
An Act to require the display of the state motto in public schools and provide for 1
associated legal representation. 2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA: 3
Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 13-24: 4
The motto of the State of South Dakota, "Under God the People Rule," must be 5
displayed in each public school. The display must be placed in a prominent location within 6
each public school. The display must be at least eleven inches by eight and one-half inches 7
in size, and may take the form of a mounted plaque, student artwork, or any other 8
appropriate form, as determined by the school principal. 9
For purposes of this section, "prominent location," means a school entryway, 10
cafeteria, or other common area where students are most likely to see the state motto 11
display. 12
Section 2. That § 13-24-24 be AMENDED: 13
13-24-24. For any lawsuit brought or any complaint filed against a school district, 14
an employee of a school district, the board of a school district, or a member thereof as a 15
result of a school district displaying the national motto of the United States in accordance 16
with § 13-24-23 or the motto of this state in accordance with section 1 of this Act , the 17
attorney general shall provide legal representation at no cost to the school district, 18
employee, school board, or member of the school board. 19
In addition to the expenses of representation, the state shall assume financial 20
responsibility for any other related expense incurred by the school district, an employee, 21
the board, or member thereof, including any award for monetary damages, attorney's 22
fees, and costs for which the school district, an employee, the board, or a member thereof 23
would be otherwise responsible. 24