25.221.12 100th Legislative Session 1105
2025 South Dakota Legislature
House Bill 1105
Introduced by: Representative Jensen (Phil)
Underscores indicate new language.
Overstrikes indicate deleted language.
An Act to require the display of the state motto in public school classrooms. 1
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA: 2
Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 13-24: 3
The administrator of a public school shall display the motto of this state, as 4
established in S.D. Const., Art. XXI, § 1, in a prominent location in each classroom in the 5
school. The display of the state motto may take the form of a mounted plaque, student 6
artwork, or any other form deemed appropriate by the administrator, provided that the 7
text of the motto is easily readable and the motto is at least twelve inches wide by eight 8
inches high. 9
Section 2. That § 13-24-24 be AMENDED: 10
13-24-24. For any lawsuit brought or any complaint filed against a school district, 11
an employee of a school district, the board of a school district, or a member thereof, as a 12
result of a school district displaying the national motto of the United States in accordance 13
with § 13-24-23 or the motto of this state in accordance with section 1 of this Act, the 14
attorney general shall must provide legal representation, at no cost to the school district, 15
employee, school board, or member of the school board. 16
In addition to the expenses of representation, the state shall assume financial 17
responsibility for any other expenses related expense to the lawsuit or complaint incurred 18
by the school district, an employee, the board, or member thereof, including any award 19
for monetary damages, attorney's fees, and costs for which the school district, an 20
employee, the board, or a member thereof, would be otherwise responsible. 21