Transportation

SB 180 modifies South Dakota's rules for issuing commercial driver licenses (CDLs) to non-residents ("nondomiciled" applicants). It specifically allows individuals with H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 work visas (or those from U.S. territories with these visas) and people from states with decertified CDL programs to obtain a South Dakota CDL. Key provisions require applicants to present valid visa documents at every license transaction, confirm immigration status via federal systems, and have licenses expire when their visa validity ends (or within one year of issuance). The license must display "nondomiciled," and holders must surrender any other state's nondomiciled CDL.

SB 26 exempts highway construction contracts entered into by South Dakota's Department of Transportation (DOT) from standard state procurement rules. This means the DOT can bypass typical competitive bidding requirements when awarding these specific contracts. The bill amends existing law to clarify that DOT highway construction contracts are explicitly excluded from general procurement statutes. It directly affects the DOT and contractors working on state highway projects, streamlining their procurement process. The change focuses on administrative efficiency for highway construction, not altering the scope of work or funding.

SB 27 amends two sections of South Dakota law (31-4-156 and 31-4-235) to update the precise geographic descriptions of existing highways within the state trunk highway system. The bill corrects the written route descriptions for specific highways in Butte, Lawrence, and other counties, clarifying points like "from a point on the Wyoming state line southeasterly to Interstate Highway 90" and "from U.S. Highway 16 in Custer." It does not change the physical routes or create new policies; it only revises the official legal descriptions to match current highway alignments. This is a technical correction to state code, not a substantive policy change.

SB 227 sets a 75% damage threshold for insurers to declare a motor vehicle a total loss. Insurers cannot classify a car as totaled unless repair costs meet or exceed 75% of its actual cash value (current market value based on make, model, mileage, and condition). Vehicle owners may still request a total loss declaration below this threshold with written consent. This bill directly affects auto insurance companies and vehicle owners in South Dakota by changing how insurers determine total loss claims.

HB 1034 would increase fees for vehicle decals and license plates mailed directly to owners. Specifically, it raises the fee to $2.50 per decal set and $12 per license plate set when mailed. This change directly affects South Dakota vehicle owners who choose to have their decals or plates sent by mail instead of picking them up in person. The bill amends existing law to implement these higher mailing fees, which apply only to mail-delivered items, not in-person transactions. The policy change is limited to the fee structure for mailed vehicle registration materials.