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|Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Dwight O. Seegmiller, certify that:
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|1. | I have reviewed this quarterly

report on Form 10-Q of Hills Bancorporation;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
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|2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit

to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under

which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;                              
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|3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report,

fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash
flows
of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;                                                  
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|4. | The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining

disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and

internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))

for the registrant and have:
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|   | (a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
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|   | (b)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
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|   | (c)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
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|   | (d)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
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|5. | The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation

of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee

of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):                                      
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|   | (a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
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|   | (b)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
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|Date: May 9, 2006 |  | By: /s/ Dwight O. Seegmiller                                         
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|                  |  | Dwight O. Seegmiller, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

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