Latest Updates

Feb. 19 | Bill amended to remove concern to homeschool families

On February 11, H.B. 1168 was amended to remove those providing alternative instruction, so we are no longer asking for action to be taken on this bill. Thank you for contacting members of the committee in support of homeschool freedom!

For the current status of H.B. 1168, you can click South Dakota on our interactive Legislative Map.

Feb. 11 | Bill discussion delayed in committee

H.B. 1168 was not discussed in the committee hearing scheduled for this morning. It will likely be discussed in the committee hearing on February 23 at 9 a.m.

Please continue to contact members of the committee, telling them that children’s education is private and that H.B. 1168 creates unnecessary administrative burdens for families and the state alike. 

Feb. 10 | Scheduled for a hearing by the House Education Committee

This bill is scheduled to be heard tomorrow, February 11, between 7:45 and 9:45 a.m. 

Please contact the House Education Committee members now! Tell members of the House Education Committee that our children’s education is private and that H.B 1168 creates unnecessary administrative burdens for families and the state alike. 

Here is a brief video update from Tj Schmidt.

Summary of H.B. 1168

Here is why H.B. 1168 is a bad deal for alternative instruction families:

  • Intrusive disclosure of private information: To receive this credit, you must provide the Department of Revenue and the county director of equalization with a "description and documentation of each eligible education expense." This means the government will have a detailed record of every textbook you buy, every piece of curriculum you choose, and the specific educational therapies or tutoring your child receives.
  • More red tape: The application process for the tax credit is burdensome. You must submit a specific form to the county director of equalization by June 1. Because this tax credit could be claimed by anyone who makes an educational expense on behalf of a child, the form must be verified by the principal provider of alternative instruction and signed by the property owner under penalty of perjury.
  • Invites continuous government oversight: The bill also grants the Department of Revenue the power to "promulgate rules" to specify the procedures for filing and the "documentation that is necessary to verify" your expenses. This opens the door for the state to demand even more sensitive information about your child’s educational path in the future.
  • Subsidizes non-parental involvement: As already mentioned, the bill does not require the property owner claiming the credit to be the parent or guardian of the child. This creates an unnecessarily complicated system where third-party property owners could be forced to document and verify your child's private educational activities to lower their own tax bill.
Providing alternative instruction is about more than just money; it is about the freedom to educate our children without undue government interference. H.B. 1168 trades that freedom for a small tax credit, requiring families to hand over a roadmap of their child's education to state bureaucrats.