AARP SD Pushes Progress in Pierre: Digital Security & Fair Housing Move Forward

The pace is picking up in Pierre with the completion of Week 2 of the 2026 South Dakota Legislative Session!
 
While there are a good number of bills making their way through the House and Senate committee process, this week’s update focuses on two key bills where AARP provided supportive testimony.

Senate Bill 43 – Digital Currency
AARP South Dakota supported Senate Bill 43 (SB 43), which addresses search and seizure provisions applicable to digital currency. SB 43 passed through the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 6-0 vote and in the Senate 32-0. SB 43 now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Bill 43 adds “digital currency” to South Dakota’s seizure laws, giving law enforcement the tools to confiscate illicit crypto assets, disrupt criminal networks hiding behind digital secrecy and strengthen protections for South Dakota consumers. The bill is not an attempt by the state to take over regulation of digital currency but, rather, to address when it is used for illegal purposes.

According to the South Dakota Attorney General’s office, there are $9.3 billion in consumer scams across the country each year and $13.8 million in consumer scams in South Dakota.

SB 43 received support from the South Dakota Attorney General, AARP South Dakota and law enforcement officials and had no opposition in the Senate committee hearing.

Senate Bill 4 – Tenant Security Deposits
AARP South Dakota supported Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), which revises procedures for returning and withholding security deposits for residential premises. SB 4 passed through the Senate Commerce and Energy Committee on a 6-0 vote and in the Senate 33-0. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

SB 4 ensures a clear, 21-day deposit deadline for tenants—paired with strict forfeiture if a landlord doesn’t comply—reduces the risk that tenants must bridge with credit cards, avoiding interest/fees and keeping basic expenses affordable. This is especially significant for older adults on fixed incomes, who are more frequently rent‑burdened.

The bill caps withholding to what is “reasonably necessary” for rent due and bona fide repairs (excluding ordinary wear and tear) and requires a written statement and, on request, an itemized accounting. These documentation requirements help tenants verify charges, challenge improper deductions efficiently and avoid legal costs—again supporting affordability.

Forfeiture of the right to withhold for noncompliance plus punitive damages (up to $200) for bad‑faith retention create strong incentives for timely, accurate returns. By deterring practices that keep deposits tied up, the bill lowers cash‑flow stress and financial risk for renters. Standardizing the timeline, the scope of permissible deductions and required documentation decreases ambiguity that fuels disputes.

Finally, the guardrails provided in SB 4 on deposit handling and its enforcement mechanisms align with AARP South Dakota’s priorities on stability and affordability for older renters.

AARP South Dakota Comes to the State Capitol for Lobby Day Next Week!
Legislators will be seeing red next Wednesday when nearly 60 AARP South Dakota volunteers from around the state arrive at the Capitol in their recognizable red vests.

The volunteers will have the opportunity to attend legislative committee hearings in the morning, and then they will host a lunch for legislators in the Rotunda. In the afternoon, they'll watch a little of the session action in the House and Senate chambers before heading back to their communities.

This is a great way to be involved with AARP SD – as an advocacy volunteer!

You can make your voice heard whether you come to Pierre for lobby day or simply read these updates and respond to our action alerts when we need you to contact lawmakers. Sharing your stories and life experiences helps legislators understand the issues that are important to adults 50-plus and their families in our state.

Subscribe to our advocacy emails, so that you'll be sure to get our action alerts. Sign up at aarp.org/getinvolved. Your first opportunity for an action alert is likely to come next week…so sign up today and then keep your eyes on your inbox!
 
If you ever have questions on legislative issues, email us at sdaarp@aarp.org. And, be sure to stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Catch a Cracker Barrel
The Associated School Boards has been updating its list of legislative cracker barrel events currently scheduled in South Dakota communities. If you don’t see your community listed, talk with your legislators or your local Chamber of Commerce to see if any sessions will be scheduled during this legislative session.

Stay tuned for more updates from Pierre!