South Dakota Governor Signs Public Safety Bills Into Law

Legislation includes protections for law enforcement and judges, as well as expanded definition of law enforcement officer.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 10:18pm

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Governor Larry Rhoden of South Dakota has signed nearly a dozen public safety bills into law, including House Bill 1084 which removes the personal information of law enforcement officers, retired state judges, and federal judges from the state's public voter files. Another bill, HB 1007, amends the definition of law enforcement officer to include tribal law enforcement officers. The governor has signed 116 bills into law so far this legislative session.

Why it matters

These new public safety laws aim to protect law enforcement, judges, and tribal law enforcement from potential threats or harassment by removing their personal information from public records. The expanded definition of law enforcement officer also recognizes the important role of tribal police in public safety.

The details

The public safety bills signed by Governor Rhoden include measures to shield the personal information of law enforcement, retired state judges, and federal judges from the state's public voter files. Another key piece of legislation, HB 1007, broadens the definition of 'law enforcement officer' to explicitly include tribal law enforcement officers.

  • Governor Rhoden signed the public safety bills into law on March 10, 2026.
  • The governor has signed 116 bills into law so far this legislative session.

The players

Governor Larry Rhoden

The governor of South Dakota who signed the public safety bills into law.

House Bill 1084

A bill that protects the personal information of law enforcement officers, retired state judges, and federal judges by removing it from the state's public voter files.

House Bill 1007

A bill that amends the definition of 'law enforcement officer' to include tribal law enforcement officers.

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The takeaway

These new public safety laws in South Dakota demonstrate a commitment to protecting law enforcement, judges, and tribal law enforcement from potential threats, while also recognizing the important role of tribal police in upholding public safety across the state.