South Dakota SB78: Authorize a change in bullet diameter for use in taking certain animals.

What the bill says

An Act ENTITLED An Act to authorize a change in bullet diameter for use in taking certain animals.

From the enrolled text:

An Act ENTITLED An Act to authorize a change in bullet diameter for use in taking certain animals. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota: Section 1. That § 41-8-17 be AMENDED: 41-8-17. Between sunset and sunrise, no person may use or possess night-vision equipment or throw or cast the rays of a spotlight, motor vehicle headlight, or other artificial light onto a highway, or into any field, pasture, woodland, forest, or prairie, for the purpose of spotting, locating, taking, attempting to take, or hunting any animal, if the person is in possession or control of a firearm, bow, or other implement by which an animal could be killed. The prohibitions set forth in this section do not apply to a law enforcement officer in the performance of the officer's duties. Notwithstanding the prohibitions set forth in this section: (1) A person may use a handheld light, while the person is on foot, to: (a) Take raccoons after the raccoons have been treed by dogs; or (b) Engage in trapping activity and take trapped fur-bearing animals; (2) From January first to August thirty-first, inclusive, a person may use night vision equipment, but not artificial light, to take jackrabbits, coyotes, beaver during its hunting season, foxes, raccoons, opossums, badgers, skunks, and rodents, provided the person is …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Spencer Gosch (R, HD-023) · primary sponsor
• Kevin Jensen (R, SD-016) · primary sponsor
• Aaron Aylward (R, HD-006)
• Heather Baxter (R, HD-034)
• Casey Crabtree (R, SD-008)
• Randy Deibert (R, SD-031)
• Tamara Grove (R, SD-026)
• Phil Jensen (R, SD-033)
• Dylan Jordan (R, HD-004)
• David Kull (R, HD-002)
• Jim Mehlhaff (R, SD-024)
• Tina Mulally (R, HD-035)

Votes

• Do Pass (March 3, 2025): 68 yea, 1 nay, passed
• Do Pass (February 27, 2025): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Do Pass (January 29, 2025): 35 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Do Pass (January 28, 2025): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB78?

SB78 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Authorize a change in bullet diameter for use in taking certain animals.

What does SB78 do?

In its own words: An Act ENTITLED An Act to authorize a change in bullet diameter for use in taking certain animals.

What is the status of SB78?

Passed both chambers as of March 13, 2025.

Who sponsored SB78?

Spencer Gosch (R, HD-023), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB78?

On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/25917