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Open Meetings

SDCL § 1-25-1 — open unless a specific law is cited to close it, a period for public comment, and the right to record

An official meeting of a public body is open to the public unless the body cites a specific law to close it.

  • SDCL § 1-25-1
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Public comment. Every official meeting reserves a period for public comment, which the body may limit but not eliminate.

  • SDCL § 1-25-1

No public body may stop a person from recording an open meeting by audio or video, as long as the recording is reasonable, obvious and not disruptive.

  • SDCL § 1-25-11

A particular meeting is a question for a licensed South Dakota attorney.

  • SDCL § 1-25-1
Sources for this section (2)
  1. SDCL § 1-25-1 — Official meetings open to public; Exceptions; Notice of quorum; Public comment; Penalty
  2. SDCL § 1-25-11 — Recording of open official meeting to be permitted

Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed South Dakota attorney.

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