January 27, 2025
NFIB highlights 2025 legislative small business priorities for the South Dakota legislative session
South Dakota’s leading advocate for small business, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), announced its top priorities for the 2025 legislative session.
“South Dakota small business owners are struggling with rising costs, high property taxes, and workforce shortages,” said Jason Glodt, NFIB South Dakota State Director. “The South Dakota Legislature must prioritize policies that lower the tax burden and encourage workforce development if they want South Dakota to be competitive and successful. NFIB calls on the Legislature to support Main Street by passing pro-small business legislation during the 2025 session.”
South Dakota’s 2025 legislative Session is off to a slow start, but new bills and proposals are on the way and NFIB will be there to make sure that the voice of small business is heard loud and clear in the halls of the state capitol. Governor Noem gave her farewell State of the State, the Chief Justice gave his State of the Judiciary, and the Tribes gave their State of the Tribes address. Our new Governor Larry Rhoden will be laying out his vision for the state, as well. Bills are being filed at a slower rate than anticipated, but things will pick up quickly. We are hearing our Legislative Research Council is bombarded with filing requests and bills will start dropping rapidly this week.
Here are some of the issues NFIB will be following this session:
Support Property Tax Reform
Legislators are under a lot of political pressure to provide property tax relief- primarily for owner-occupied dwellings. Providing relief is much easier said than done and difficult to do without implementing new taxes or shifting taxes. There will be attempts to provide relief for residential property taxes by shifting to commercial property that could hurt small businesses. NFIB members support property tax reform that is equitable for all and ensures that small businesses are included in any relief.
Avoid Local Fee and Tax Increases
Like last year, a significant amount of time this Session will be devoted to addressing county funding. Counties are heavily dependent on property tax revenue and mil levies are capped at 3% annual growth. However, assessed values for property are not capped, which has resulted in significant annual property tax increases. Many have expressed frustration that counties have rejected agriculture development and other economic development projects which would generate more tax revenue for their county. NFIB will be working to be sure that small businesses are not burdened with local government attempts to increase their funding.
Encourage Workforce Development
South Dakota has a major workforce shortage and workforce is one of the top issues we hear about from the small business community. The legislature has already removed licensing barriers for most professions and passed legislation to allow reciprocity with other states. NFIB will continue to work with the legislature and Governor Rhoden on ways to address the workforce crisis.
Fight Against Unnecessary Regulation
NFIB is always on guard against proposals that would increase the regulatory burden on small business. There are efforts in other states to require small businesses to implement workplace violence prevention plans and training programs, implement worker standards more stringent than existing state and OSHA requirements, and ban the use of natural gas in new construction projects. NFIB will oppose such efforts if they surface in South Dakota.
As always, there will be other issues that will surface as the session moves along and NFIB will be on the watch to support proposals that benefit small businesses and oppose those that do not.
NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.
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