South Dakota
Open Meetings Law
Formally: South Dakota Open Meetings Law
S.D. Codified Laws §§ 1-25-1 to 1-25-6
Sunshine Score
| Advance Notice | 1 day, online posting required |
|---|---|
| Public Comment | Required, remote allowed |
| Closed Sessions | 5 permitted categories |
| Minutes | Required |
| Recording | Not required |
| Remote Participation | Allowed |
| Enforcement | Voidable, legislature exempt |
Agenda & Notice Requirements
Online posting: Required
Political subdivisions: post agenda 24 hours before meeting at principal office and on website; state entities: 3 business days (72 hours); notice must be visible, readable, and accessible
Agenda changes at meeting: Allowed — majority vote
Public Participation
Time limits: No statutory time limit specified; public body has discretion to set reasonable time limits per topic and in total per S.D.C.L. § 1-25-1.
The public body shall reserve at every regularly scheduled official meeting a period for public comment. Time may be limited at the public body's discretion as to time per topic and total time, but cannot be so limited as to eliminate public comment entirely. Public comment is not required at meetings held solely for inauguration, swearing-in, or annual report presentations. S.D.C.L. § 1-25-1.
Virtual Meetings
Allowed under SDCL § 1-25-1; official meetings may be conducted by teleconference. Quorum determined by roll call with members answering present via teleconference. Public must be provided access at one or more physical locations; telephonic/internet access required when fewer than quorum are physically present. All votes by roll call.
Closed Sessions
Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances
Permitted Categories
Meeting Minutes
Online posting: Not required
Content requirements: date, time, place, members present, all actions taken and votes by each member (SDCL § 1-25-1.2)
Recording & Broadcast
Enforcement
Scope
This law applies to:
Legislature: Exempt (follows own rules)
Accessibility & Language Access
ADA accessibility: ADA Title II applies to all public meetings. The state statute does not add requirements beyond federal law; reasonable accommodations must be provided on request.
Language access: No statutory language-access mandate beyond federal Civil Rights Act Title VI obligations for recipients of federal funds.