MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said he plans to introduce bills during the 2026 legislative session that would address election integrity and the state’s open meeting laws.
Jackley’s election proposal would prohibit foreign nationals from contributing or donating financially to state campaigns. In a statement, Jackley said the measure would align with a presidential executive order and is intended to keep South Dakota elections “transparent and accountable” to state voters.
A separate set of three bills would revise South Dakota’s open meeting laws. The proposals would require meeting agendas to include a statement of items scheduled for consideration, revise requirements for executive or closed meetings, and require posting an agenda for any official open meeting on a state website at least 72 hours before the meeting is scheduled to start.
Jackley said the open meetings proposals were recommended by an advisory task force he created. Two media representatives on the committee — David Bordewyk of the South Dakota NewsMedia Association and Steve Willard of the South Dakota Broadcasters Association — said the changes would help reduce confusion and improve public access to government meetings.
Jackley said he intends to introduce a total of 10 bills when the 2026 Legislature convenes Jan. 13, with additional announcements planned as bills are filed. The full release is available through the state’s news site, and filings will appear on the Legislature’s bill tracker once posted.