Key takeaways
- South Dakota state government spent $6.9 billion in fiscal 2024, the 50th most of any state.
- Statewide purchasing runs through the Office of Procurement Management, and vendors register and find bids in Vendor registration and bids.
- The fiscal year starts July 1; the governor's FY2028 budget proposal usually comes early December.
- The 2027 legislative session convenes Jan. 12 and is scheduled to adjourn March 31.
South Dakota government at a glance
| Fact | South Dakota |
|---|---|
| State spending, FY 2024 | $6.9 billion (50th of 50) |
| Fiscal year starts | July 1 |
| Next budget | FY2028 · proposal usually early December |
| 2027 legislative session | Jan. 12 to March 31 (79 days) |
| Central procurement office | Office of Procurement Management |
| Bid and vendor portal | Vendor registration and bids |
| State CIO | Neal Nachtigall, Commissioner and State CIO |
| Local governments | 1,900 total, including 478 special districts and 149 school districts |
| Public power and co-op utilities | 36 public power utilities and 30 electric co-ops |
| State prison population | 3,764 (end of 2023) |
How South Dakota buys
- Central purchasing. The Office of Procurement Management handles statewide contracts and purchasing rules for state agencies.
- Where bids are posted. Vendor registration and bids is where vendors register and find state solicitations.
- Registering as a vendor. Our South Dakota vendor registration guide walks through the steps, fees and documents.
- Agencies and local buyers. Many agencies, universities, cities, counties and school districts buy on their own or through cooperative contracts; see our cooperative purchasing guide.
Budget and legislative calendar
- Fiscal year. South Dakota's fiscal year starts July 1. The next budget covers FY2028.
- Governor's proposal. Usually released Early December. Status as of Nov. 8, 2026: not yet released. Track it in our governor budget proposals tracker.
- 2027 session. Convenes Jan. 12 and is scheduled to adjourn March 31. Regular session ends March 11; veto day March 31. See the 2027 legislative session calendar.
Technology and AI
- State CIO. Neal Nachtigall, Commissioner and State CIO, leads the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications. See the full state CIO directory.
- AI policy. Our tracker counts no executive orders, no laws and 1 agency policy on government AI use. See the state AI policy tracker.
- How IT buying works. See how state agencies buy technology.
Local government and utilities
- 1,900 local governments. That includes 478 special districts and 149 school districts. See special districts by state.
- Utilities. 36 public power utilities and 30 electric cooperatives serve 244,787 customers, 47% of the state. See South Dakota utilities.
- Budget cycles. Cities, counties and school districts set their own fiscal years; see city and county budget calendars.
How KSG helps
Kensington Sales Group's SDRs book meetings with public agencies across Federal, SLED, K-12 & Higher Ed, Healthcare, Tribal, Special Districts and Utilities. We research South Dakota buyers, time outreach to state and local budget cycles and get you in front of the people who own the problem you solve. See how our state and local sales development works.
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