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Read. Follow. Verify.South Dakota authorizes direct formation of limited liability limited partnerships starting January 2027
Last action · March 4, 2026: Signed by the GovernorSponsors: Will Mortenson and 1 other
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What This Bill Does
South Dakota now allows businesses to directly form a by filing a certificate with the secretary of state, taking effect January 1, 2027. Previously, businesses had to convert an existing limited partnership rather than creating one directly.
Business owners and entrepreneurs organizing new commercial ventures gain a new legal entity structure option directly under state law beginning in 2027.
- Limited liability limited partnerships combine the liability shield of limited partnerships with liability protections for general partners. context
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Business owners and partners
Entrepreneurs and partners gain the legal option to form a limited liability limited partnership directly rather than converting an existing partnership.
Secretary of State
The office is tasked with receiving certificates of limited liability limited partnership and statements of qualification.
Key Facts
- A limited liability limited partnership may be formed directly by delivering a certificate of limited liability limited partnership to the secretary of state.
- The name of the partnership must end with the words 'Registered Limited Liability Limited Partnership,' the abbreviation 'L.L.L.P.,' or the designation 'LLLP.'
- The certificate must include the street address of the chief executive office and, if applicable, an office within the state.
- The Act takes effect on January 1, 2027.
Show all 5 facts
- Existing limited partnerships can still qualify as limited liability limited partnerships by obtaining necessary partner approval and filing a statement of qualification.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I form a limited liability limited partnership under this law?
What naming requirements apply to these partnerships?
When does this new law take effect?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
17 actions- Mar 4, 2026HouseEnrolledSigned by the Governor
- Mar 3, 2026HouseEnrolledDelivered to the Governor
- Mar 2, 2026SenateSigned by the President
- Feb 26, 2026HouseSigned by the Speaker
- Feb 25, 2026SenateCommitteeDo Pass Amended
- Feb 24, 2026SenateCertified uncontested, placed on consent
Show 11 earlier actions
- Feb 24, 2026SenateCommitteeDo Pass
- Feb 24, 2026SenateScheduled for hearing
- Jan 29, 2026SenateCommitteeReferred to
- Jan 28, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Senate
- Jan 27, 2026HouseCommitteeDo Pass Amended
- Jan 27, 2026HouseMotion to amend
- Jan 26, 2026HouseRemove from Consent Calendar
- Jan 23, 2026HouseCertified uncontested, placed on consent
- Jan 23, 2026HouseCommitteeDo Pass
- Jan 23, 2026HouseScheduled for hearing
- Jan 20, 2026HouseIntroducedFirst read in House and referred to
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Voting Record
Do Pass Amended
Total
70
- Yes
- 66
- No
- 0
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 0
- Abstain
- 0
- Other positions
- 4
How they voted (1)
Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Direct Entity Formation
The legislation removes the procedural hurdle of requiring an existing limited partnership to convert, permitting direct creation from inception.
Connected Entities
Sources
sdlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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