South Dakota SB8: Establish certain criminal offenses for boat operators and to provide penalties therefor.

What the bill says

An Act ENTITLED An Act to establish certain criminal offenses for boat operators and to provide penalties therefor.

From the enrolled text:

An Act ENTITLED An Act to establish certain criminal offenses for boat operators and to provide penalties therefor. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota: Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 22-16: Any person who, while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or substances, in a manner and to a degree prohibited by § 42-8-45, without design to effect death, operates a boat, as defined by § 42-8-2, in a negligent manner and thereby causes the death of another person, including an unborn child, is guilty of watercraft homicide, a Class 3 felony. Section 2. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 22-18: Any person who, while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or substances, in a manner and to a degree prohibited by § 42-8-45, without design to effect serious bodily injury, operates a boat, as defined by § 42-8-2, in a negligent manner and thereby causes the serious bodily injury of another person, including an unborn child, is guilty of watercraft battery, a Class 4 felony. Section 3. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 42-8: Any operator of a boat involved in an accident resulting in injury or death to any person, who fails to immediately stop the boat at the scene of the accident and …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Amber Arlint (R, HD-012) · primary sponsor
• Casey Crabtree (R, SD-008) · primary sponsor
• Sydney Davis (R, SD-017)
• Helene Duhamel (R, SD-032)
• Mary Fitzgerald (R, HD-031)
• David Kull (R, HD-002)
• Liz Larson (D, SD-010)
• Jim Mehlhaff (R, SD-024)
• Tim Reed (R, HD-007)
• Tim Reisch (R, HD-008)
• Matt Roby (R, HD-005)
• Michael Rohl (R, SD-001)

Votes

• Do Pass Amended (February 27, 2025): 52 yea, 18 nay, passed
• Do Pass (February 26, 2025): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Do Pass Amended (February 6, 2025): 35 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Do Pass Amended (February 4, 2025): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB8?

SB8 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Establish certain criminal offenses for boat operators and to provide penalties therefor.

What does SB8 do?

In its own words: An Act ENTITLED An Act to establish certain criminal offenses for boat operators and to provide penalties therefor.

What is the status of SB8?

Passed both chambers as of March 13, 2025.

Who sponsored SB8?

Amber Arlint (R, HD-012), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB8?

On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/25656