CHAPTER 3-8
COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
3-8-1 Constitutional officers to devote full time to office--Compensation limited to salaries--Businesses engaged in prior to taking office.
3-8-1.1 Repealed by SL 1992, ch 2, §§ 2 to 12.
3-8-1.13 Compensation defined.
3-8-2 Annual appropriation for salaries of constitutional officers.
3-8-2.1 Adjustment of salaries of constitutional officers and judges.
3-8-2.2 Additional adjustment of the salaries of the secretary of state, the state auditor, the state treasurer, the commissioner of school and public lands, the Governor, and the attorney general.
3-8-2.3 Additional adjustment of the salaries of justices and circuit judges.
3-8-3 Salaried state officer retaining money received as theft.
3-8-4 Dual salaries prohibited.
3-8-4.1 Salary or per diem prohibited for service by state employee on board, commission, committee, or council--Reimbursement of expenses.
3-8-4.2 Compensation permitted for other state employment--During off duty hours--During state active duty.
3-8-4.3 Compensation permitted for other state employment during unpaid leave of absence.
3-8-5 Repealed by SL 1973, ch 23, § 30.
3-8-5.1 Repealed by SL 1997, ch 23, §§ 2 to 5.
3-8-6 Time of payment of compensation and expenses of state officers and employees.
3-8-6.1 Repealed by SL 1971, ch 28, § 2.
3-8-6.2 Central payroll system administered by Bureau of Finance and Management--Rules and regulations.
3-8-6.3 Repealed by SL 2012, ch 24, § 1.
3-8-7 3-8-7. Repealed by SL 2014, ch 17, § 1.
3-8-8 Accrued compensation payable to spouse and children of deceased employee if estate exempt from creditors' claims.
3-8-9 Information required for payment to spouse or children of deceased employee.
3-8-10 Probate proceedings not required for payment to spouse or children of deceased employee--Discharge of liability.
3-8-11 Cancellation and replacement of warrant payable to deceased employee.
3-8-12 Salary increase of full-time elected official who may vote on own salary delayed.
3-8-13 Longevity pay for state employees.
3-8-14 Salary differences for certain National Guard and reserve members to be paid by state.
3-8-1. Constitutional officers to devote full time to office--Compensation limited to salaries--Businesses engaged in prior to taking office.
The Governor, justices of the Supreme Court, judges of the circuit courts, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, state auditor, and commissioner of school and public lands shall devote full time to the duties of their respective offices and such officers shall not be entitled to, or authorized to take or receive for any of their official services any other compensation, emoluments, or perquisites than the salaries provided by law. Said constitutional state officers shall, however, be authorized to retain an interest in a business or occupation that said officer was engaged in prior to taking office, provided, however, that said business or occupation does not cause the creation of a benefit or the making of a profit directly or indirectly by the use of state moneys or using the same for a purpose not authorized by law.
Source: SL 1947, ch 241, § 6; SDC Supp 1960, § 48.0611; SL 1963, ch 288.
3-8-1.1 to 3-8-1.12. Repealed by SL 1992, ch 2, §§ 2 to 12.
3-8-1.13. Compensation defined.
The term, compensation, for state employees, means total compensation, which includes direct salary and fringe benefits. Fringe benefits includes employer paid retirement programs, social security, health insurance, life insurance, and any other programs offering a benefit to the employee in which the employer participates.
Source: SL 1993, ch 37.
3-8-2. Annual appropriation for salaries of constitutional officers.
There is hereby annually appropriated out of any money in the state treasury not otherwise appropriated the sums necessary to meet the expenditures authorized by § 3-8-1, and payments shall be made therefrom upon approved vouchers filed in the Office of the State Auditor.
Source: SL 1947, ch 241, § 8; SDC Supp 1960, § 48.0612.
3-8-2.1. Adjustment of salaries of constitutional officers and judges.
The annual salaries of the Governor, the lieutenant governor, the secretary of state, the state auditor, the state treasurer, the attorney general, the commissioner of school and public lands, each justice of the Supreme Court and each circuit judge shall be adjusted annually by the same rate appropriated as the across-the-board increase to base salaries of state employees under the General Appropriations Act in each corresponding year.
Source: SL 1992, ch 2, § 1.
3-8-2.2. Additional adjustment of the salaries of the secretary of state, the state auditor, the state treasurer, the commissioner of school and public lands, the Governor, and the attorney general.
On July 1, 2023, prior to the adjustment required pursuant to § 3-8-2.1, the base annual salaries of the following constitutional officers shall be set to the following values:
(1) The secretary of state, the state auditor, the state treasurer, and the commissioner of school and public lands, one hundred thirteen thousand dollars;
(2) The Governor, one hundred thirty thousand dollars;
(3) The attorney general, one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars.
The salaries, as adjusted pursuant to this section and § 3-8-2.1, shall be the base salaries for the next adjustment required pursuant to § 3-8-2.1. Thereafter, the base salaries of these constitutional officers that are to be annually adjusted in all subsequent years, pursuant to § 3-8-2.1, will be the total of the base salary and adjustment amount established by the prior annual adjustment.
Source: SL 2021, ch 23, § 1.
3-8-2.3. Additional adjustment of the salaries of justices and circuit judges.
The base annual salary of each justice of the Supreme Court and each circuit judge shall be adjusted upward six percent on July 1, 2021, and the subsequent base annual salary shall be adjusted upward an additional six percent on July 1, 2022. Each adjustment is based on the justice's or judge's salary as of the date of the increase and is in addition to any across-the-board increase to the base salary as provided pursuant to § 3-8-2.1.
Source: SL 2021, ch 24, § 1.
3-8-3. Salaried state officer retaining money received as theft.
Any officer receiving a salary from the state who shall keep or retain any money, emolument, fee, or perquisite, paid to or received by him for the performance of any duty or duties connected with his office, or in any manner paid to him as such officer or by reason of his holding such office is guilty of theft. It is the intent and meaning of this section that no officer receiving a salary from the state shall keep or retain any money, emolument, fee, or perquisite paid to him by reason of his holding such office, other than the annual salary payable to such officer as provided by the Constitution.
Source: SL 1901, ch 127, § 1; RPolC 1903, § 314; RC 1919, § 6965; SDC 1939, § 55.2304; SL 1980, ch 24, § 41.
3-8-4. Dual salaries prohibited.
Except as provided in §§ 3-8-4.1 to 3-8-4.3, inclusive, no person receiving a salary payable out of the state treasury or from the funds of any state institution or department, may, during the period for which such salary has been or is to be paid, receive any other salary from the state or any institution or department thereof.
Source: SDC 1939, § 48.0603; SL 1976, ch 37, § 1; SL 1997, ch 23, § 1.
3-8-4.1. Salary or per diem prohibited for service by state employee on board, commission, committee, or council--Reimbursement of expenses.
No employee of the state including any institution thereof serving on a board, commission, committee, or council of the state may receive salary or per diem compensation for serving on such body. Allowable expense reimbursement shall be paid pursuant to § 4-7-10.4.
Source: SDCL, § 3-8-4 as added by SL 1976, ch 37, § 1.
3-8-4.2. Compensation permitted for other state employment--During off duty hours--During state active duty.
Any state employee, with the approval of the department head, agency head, or head of the state institution involved, may use annual leave, military service leave, weekends, legal holidays, and hours after normal working hours for performing compensable services to a state institution, department, office, or agency other than the institution, department, office, or agency that is the employee's primary employer. Compensation for such additional services performed during such times does not constitute dual compensation prohibited by § 3-8-4 or 3-8-4.1. Any state employee who is called to state active duty, as defined in § 33-10-20, may receive dual compensation from the state.
Source: SL 1976, ch 37, § 4; SL 2010, ch 19, § 78; SL 2021, ch 25, § 1.
3-8-4.3. Compensation permitted for other state employment during unpaid leave of absence.
Any state employee who takes leave of absence without pay from his or her primary employment with the state may accept payment from the funds of other state institutions, departments, offices, or agencies for services rendered to such other institution, department, office, or agency. Compensation for additional services performed while on leave of absence without pay does not constitute dual compensation within the purview of § 3-8-4 or 3-8-4.1.
Source: SL 1976, ch 37, § 5; SL 2010, ch 19, § 79.
3-8-5. Repealed by SL 1973, ch 23, § 30.
3-8-5.1 to 3-8-5.4. Repealed by SL 1997, ch 23, §§ 2 to 5.
3-8-6. Time of payment of compensation and expenses of state officers and employees.
The compensation and expenses of all officers and employees, payable out of the state treasury, shall be paid at least once each calendar month, but no officer or employee may be paid in advance for any period of service. The Bureau of Finance and Management shall designate pay periods for all payroll systems utilizing funds from the state treasury.
Source: RC 1919, § 7057; SDC 1939, § 48.0601; SL 1972, ch 19; SL 1976, ch 51, § 1; SL 1985, ch 33, § 16; SL 2007, ch 21, § 1.
3-8-6.1. Repealed by SL 1971, ch 28, § 2.
3-8-6.2. Central payroll system administered by Bureau of Finance and Management--Rules and regulations.
The Bureau of Finance and Management, at the direction and under the control of the Governor, shall develop, maintain, and administer a central payroll system for the efficient compensation payment of officials and employees of the State of South Dakota. The commissioner of the Bureau of Finance and Management may, upon approval of the Governor, issue such rules and regulations as he deems necessary for carrying out of the provisions and intent of this section.
Source: SL 1976, ch 51, § 2; SL 1978, ch 27, § 1.
3-8-6.3. Repealed by SL 2012, ch 24, § 1.
3-8-8. Accrued compensation payable to spouse and children of deceased employee if estate exempt from creditors' claims.
It shall be lawful for the disbursing officers of the state or any of its political subdivisions to pay, or cause to be paid, any lawful claim for salaries, wages, compensation, fees, and expenses due from the state or any of its political subdivisions to any deceased employee thereof, to the spouse or minor children of such employee. Provided, that such claim for salaries, wages, compensation, fees, or expenses has accrued within sixty days prior to the death of such deceased employee. The provisions of this section shall apply only in cases where such deceased employee died possessed of no property, real or personal, except such as is exempt from claims of the creditors of such deceased employee.
Source: SL 1953, ch 491, §§ 1, 2; SDC Supp 1960, § 55.2919 (1), (2).
3-8-9. Information required for payment to spouse or children of deceased employee.
The disbursing officers shall be authorized to issue and pay such claim by the issuance of a warrant upon presentation to, and filing with the disbursing officers of the state or any of its political subdivisions of a verified claim, executed by such surviving spouse or circuit court judge as hereafter provided together with a showing in respect to:
(1) The time and place of death of the deceased employee;
(2) The department or branch of service of the state, or any political subdivision where the deceased was employed;
(3) The total amount of property, real and personal, owned by the deceased employee at the time of his death;
(4) The amount of her claim and the date of accrual thereof;
(5) And such other information as the disbursing officer may require.
In case the deceased employee left no surviving spouse, the circuit court judge is designated as a person to execute and present the verified claim, required under this section, and to receive and pay over the proceeds for the benefit of the minor children if the same be exempt.
Source: SL 1953, ch 491, §§ 2, 5; SDC Supp 1960, § 55.2919 (2), (5).
3-8-10. Probate proceedings not required for payment to spouse or children of deceased employee--Discharge of liability.
No probate proceeding of any kind, nor the appointment of an administrator or agent shall be required and the presentation of a sworn statement by such spouse or circuit court judge shall be sufficient authority for the disbursing officer to pay or to cause to be paid such claims, and the payment of the same shall relieve and discharge the state, or any of its political subdivisions and all disbursing officers thereof, of any liability whatsoever in respect to such claim.
Source: SL 1953, ch 491, § 4; SDC Supp 1960, § 55.2919 (4).
3-8-11. Cancellation and replacement of warrant payable to deceased employee.
In case a warrant has already issued, payable to such deceased employee, which has not been paid on account of the death of such employee, such disbursing officer shall be authorized to request the return of such warrant to his office by cancellation, and such disbursing officer shall be authorized to cancel the same and issue another warrant payable direct to the surviving spouse or circuit court judge for the benefit of the minor children.
Source: SL 1953, ch 491, § 3; SDC Supp 1960, § 55.2919 (3).
3-8-12. Salary increase of full-time elected official who may vote on own salary delayed.
If the salary of any full-time elected official who may vote on his own salary is increased, the increase for that elected official may not commence until the expiration of the term for which such official was elected, or until two years after the passage of such increase, whichever is less.
Source: SL 1985, ch 22; SL 1986, ch 34.
3-8-13. Longevity pay for state employees.
Any state employee who is employed in a position that is eligible for longevity pay and has at least seven years of employment with the State of South Dakota is entitled to longevity compensation. The longevity compensation for years of employment seven to ten, inclusive, is one hundred dollars. The longevity compensation for years of employment eleven to fourteen, inclusive, is equal to ten dollars per year of employment until the fifteenth year of service at which time the longevity pay shall be equal to fifteen dollars per year of service. Longevity pay shall increase at five dollar increments thereafter for each additional five years of employment. The longevity compensation may not be affected by any other compensation and classification plan except that the longevity compensation shall be distributed in the same manner and form as prescribed in § 3-8-6. Longevity compensation is payable annually in one lump sum. Any employee due any portion of the employee's longevity payment upon retirement and meeting the definition of a participant as set out in subdivision 3-13A-2(8) shall have any such lump-sum payment transmitted to the fund pursuant to the provisions of § 3-13A-5. The commissioner of human resources and administration shall promulgate rules pursuant to chapter 1-26 to determine the state employee position categories that are eligible for longevity pay, the criteria for payment for prior years of service, the date for payment, and the type of service that may be used to calculate longevity. The only employees of the Board of Regents eligible for longevity pay are those nonfaculty permanent full-time employees who are customarily employed for twenty hours or more a week at least six months a year.
Any agent, patrolman, or employee of the Division of Highway Patrol of the Department of Public Safety may elect to receive longevity pay under this section or under § 32-2-10, but may not receive longevity pay under both provisions at the same time.
Source: SL 1990, ch 32, § 1; SL 1991, ch 34; SL 1995, ch 16; SL 2003, ch 272 (Ex. Ord. 03-1), § 21; SL 2004, ch 43, § 27; SL 2012, ch 23, § 94; SL 2024, ch 1 (Ex. Ord. 24-1), §§ 13, 35, eff. Apr. 8, 2024.
3-8-14. Salary differences for certain National Guard and reserve members to be paid by state.
Any employee of the State of South Dakota who, as a member of the South Dakota National Guard or any other reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, is ordered into Title 10 and Title 32 service, after January 1, 2002, other than for training purposes, shall receive the difference between the employee's state salary or wage rate at the time the employee was activated and the employee's military salary and allowances for the time the employee is engaged in such active federal service. The salary or wage difference shall be paid on at least a quarterly basis.
Source: SL 2004, ch 33, § 1.
