S.D. Codified Laws § 15-6-53(a)
A court in which any action is pending may appoint a referee therein. A referee must not have a relationship to the parties, counsel, action, or court that would require disqualification of a judge under the Code of Judicial Conduct, unless the parties consent with the court's approval to appointment of a particular person after disclosure of any potential grounds for disqualification. When a reference is made as provided by statute the fees and necessary expenses shall be ordered paid from such source as is designated therein, otherwise the compensation to be allowed to a referee shall be fixed by the court, and shall be charged upon such of the parties or paid out of any fund or subject matter of the action, which is in the custody and control of the court as the court may direct. The referee shall not retain his report as security for his compensation; but when the party ordered to pay the compensation allowed by the court does not pay it after notice and within the time prescribed by the court, the referee is entitled to a writ of execution against the delinquent party.
In cases involving an order for support as defined in subdivision 25-7A-1(12), any referee appointed to hear the case may recommend the imposition of attorney's fees and costs on one or both of the parties. The referee in any hearing held pursuant to chapter 25-7A and the provisions of §§ 25-7A-6 and 25-7A-22, shall be compensated by the court.
SDCL 15-6-53(a)