South Dakota legislation · 101st Legislature (2026)
South Dakota SB164: require that any holder of a commercial driver license in this state must be proficient in the English language, and to provide a penalty therefor.
Status: Signed into law, March 11, 2026
What the bill says
An Act ENTITLED An Act to require that any holder of a commercial driver license in this state must be proficient in the English language, and to provide a penalty therefor.
From the enrolled text, March 5, 2026:
An Act ENTITLED An Act to require that any holder of a commercial driver license in this state must be proficient in the English language, and to provide a penalty therefor. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota: Section 1. That § 32-12A-11 be AMENDED: 32-12A-11. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person may not be issued a commercial learner's permit unless that person: (1) Is a resident of this state for the purpose of being licensed to drive a motor vehicle, as described in § 32-12-26.1; and (2) Has passed the general knowledge test that is required by 49 C.F.R. § 383.25 (January 1, 2026) and which complies with the minimum standards contained in 49 C.F.R. §§ 383.91 to 383.135, inclusive (January 1, 2026) for the commercial vehicle that the person expects to operate. The department may waive the knowledge test specified in this section for an applicant who has experience operating a military commercial motor vehicle and meets the requirements established in 49 C.F.R. § 383.77 (January 1, 2026). Section 2. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 32-12A: Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person may not be issued a commercial driver license unless that person: (1) Is a resident of this state for the purpose of …
Sponsors
- Timothy Goodwin (R, HD-030) · primary sponsor
- Taffy Howard (R, 34) · primary sponsor
- Phil Jensen (R, 33)
- Dylan Jordan (R, HD-004)
- Lauren Nelson (R, SD-018)
- Carl Perry (R, 03)
- John Sjaarda (R, HD-002)
Latest actions
- : Signed by the Governor
- : Delivered to the Governor
- : Signed by the Speaker
- : Signed by the President
- : Concurred in amendments
- : Do Pass Amended
- : Remove from Consent Calendar
- : Certified uncontested, placed on consent
- : Do Pass Amended
- : Motion to amend
Votes
- Concurred in amendments (March 4, 2026): 32 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Do Pass Amended (March 2, 2026): 60 yea, 5 nay, passed
- Do Pass Amended (February 24, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass (February 5, 2026): 29 yea, 5 nay, passed
- Do Pass (February 4, 2026): 5 yea, 2 nay, passed
Subjects: Law Enforcement, Commercial Trucking, Driver License, Penalty, Promulgation of Rules, Motor Vehicles
Common questions
- What is SB164?
- SB164 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (101st Legislature (2026)): require that any holder of a commercial driver license in this state must be proficient in the English language, and to provide a penalty therefor.
- What does SB164 do?
- In its own words: An Act ENTITLED An Act to require that any holder of a commercial driver license in this state must be proficient in the English language, and to provide a penalty therefor.
- What is the status of SB164?
- Signed into law as of March 11, 2026. Latest action: Signed by the Governor (March 11, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB164?
- Timothy Goodwin (R, HD-030), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB164?
- On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/27154
Source: official South Dakota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.