HB1280 • 2026

increase penalties for the operation of drones over certain facilities and to provide for mitigation techniques and countermeasures.

Privacy

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Howard
Last action: 2026-03-12
Official status: Signed by the Governor
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

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

increase penalties for the operation of drones over certain facilities and to provide for mitigation techniques and countermeasures.

What This Bill Does

increase penalties for the operation of drones over certain facilities and to provide for mitigation techniques and countermeasures.
Official keyword topics: Aviation Civil Forfeiture Drones Hoghouse-Vehicle Bill Law Enforcement Trespass Official sponsor note: Representative <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4772/Detail">Jorgenson</a> (prime) and Senator <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4763/Detail">Howard</a> (prime)

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.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

1280B

None

Filed

Plain English: 1280B 101st Legislative Session 1280 2026 South Dakota Legislature House Bill 1280 Introduced by: Representative Jorgenson This bill has been extensively amended (hoghoused) and may no longer be consistent with the original intention of the sponsor.

1280B 101st Legislative Session 1280 2026 South Dakota Legislature House Bill 1280 Introduced by: Representative Jorgenson This bill has been extensively amended (hoghoused) and may no longer be consistent with the original intention of the sponsor.
Underscores indicate new language.
Overstrikes indicate deleted language.
AMENDMENT 1280B FOR THE INTRODUCED BILL An Act to prohibit drone surveillance of state military installations, to provide a 1 penalty therefor, and to authorize law enforcement to intercept or disable any 2 drone or small unmanned aircraft threatening public safety increase penalties 3 for the operation of drones over certain facilities and to provide for mitigation 4 techniques and countermeasures.

Bill History

2026-03-12 House of Representatives
Signed by the Governor
2026-03-10 House of Representatives
Delivered to the Governor
2026-03-10 Senate
Signed by the President
2026-03-09 House of Representatives
Signed by the Speaker
2026-03-05 Senate
Do Pass Amended
2026-03-03 Senate Judiciary
Certified uncontested, placed on consent
2026-03-03 Senate Judiciary
Do Pass
2026-03-03 Senate Judiciary
Scheduled for hearing
2026-02-25 Senate
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Judiciary
2026-02-24 House of Representatives
Do Pass Amended
2026-02-19 House Military and Veterans Affairs
Certified uncontested, placed on consent
2026-02-19 House Military and Veterans Affairs
Do Pass Amended
2026-02-19 House Military and Veterans Affairs
Motion to amend
2026-02-19 House Military and Veterans Affairs
Scheduled for hearing
2026-02-09 House Military and Veterans Affairs
Scheduled for hearing
2026-02-04 House of Representatives
First read in House and referred to House Military and Veterans Affairs

Official Summary Text

increase penalties for the operation of drones over certain facilities and to provide for mitigation techniques and countermeasures.
Official keyword topics:
Aviation
Civil Forfeiture
Drones
Hoghouse-Vehicle Bill
Law Enforcement
Trespass
Official sponsor note: Representative <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4772/Detail">Jorgenson</a> (prime) and Senator <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4763/Detail">Howard</a> (prime)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

26.956.13 101st Legislative Session 1280

2026 South Dakota Legislature
House Bill 1280
ENROLLED

AN ACT

ENTITLED An Act to increase penalties for the operation of drones over certain
facilities and to provide for mitigation techniques and countermeasures.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
Section 1. That § 50-15-3 be AMENDED:
50-15-3. No person may operate a drone over the grounds of a prison, correctional
facility, jail, juvenile detention facility, or any military facility unless expressly authorized
by the administrator thereof. A violation of this section is a Class 6 felony.
Law enforcement officers may utilize mitigation techniques and countermeasures,
authorized in accordance with section 2 of this Act, in response to a violation of this
section.
Section 2. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 50-15:
The Department of Public Safety may promulgate rules, in accordance with chapter
1-26, to:
(1) Identify the nature and scope of mitigation techniques and drone countermeasures
that may be utilized in response to a violation of § 50-15-3; and
(2) Develop and implement a training program for law enforcement officers in the
selection and use of mitigation techniques and drone countermeasures.
26.956.13 2 1280
HB1280 ENROLLED
An Act to increase penalties for the operation of drones over certain facilities and to provide
for mitigation techniques and countermeasures.

I certify that the attached Act originated in
the:

House as Bill No. 1280

Chief Clerk of the House

Speaker of the House

Attest:

Chief Clerk of the House

President of the Senate

Attest:

Secretary of the Senate

House Bill No. 1280
File No. ____
Chapter No. ______

Received at this Executive Office
this _____ day of _____________,

2026 at ____________M.

By
for the Governor

The attached Act is hereby
approved this ________ day of
______________, A.D., 2026

Governor

STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA,
ss.
Office of the Secretary of State

Filed ____________, 2026
at _________ o'clock __M.

Secretary of State

By
Asst. Secretary of State