South Dakota Bill 1037 exempts active-duty military and veterans from resident fishing license fees

Original title: exempt active-duty members of the armed forces of the United States and veterans from paying a resident fishing license fee.

Last action · January 22, 2026: Deferred to the 41st legislative daySponsors: Travis Ismay and 14 others

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Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Proposed

Resident active-duty military members and veterans with other-than-dishonorable discharges are exempt from paying resident fishing license fees in South Dakota.

Why it matters

Qualifying military personnel and veterans save money on recreational fishing fees set by the state Game, Fish and Parks Commission.

Background

House Bill 1037 was introduced during the 2026 legislative session of the South Dakota Legislature. context

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

active-duty members of the armed forces of the United States

Directly affected

veterans

Resident veterans with non-dishonorable discharges are exempt from paying resident fishing license fees.

Directly affected

Game, Fish and Parks Commission

The commission is restricted from collecting resident fishing license fees from qualifying service members and veterans.

Key Facts

Active-duty members of the United States armed forces who are state residents are exempt from paying resident fishing license fees.
Veterans discharged from active service under conditions other than dishonorable who are state residents are exempt from resident fishing license fees.
The exemption applies to resident fishing license fees required by the Game, Fish and Parks Commission pursuant to § 41-6-10.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the fishing license fee exemption under HB 1037?

State residents who are active-duty members of the U.S. armed forces or veterans discharged under are eligible.

Does this bill apply to non-residents?

No, the exemption specifically applies to residents of the state.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

3 actions

Jan 22, 2026House
Deferred to the 41st legislative day
Jan 22, 2026House
Scheduled for hearing
Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroduced
First 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.

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