Filed as: Adoption and amendments of Administrative Rules of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety
South Dakota is updating its school bus safety rules to reference the 2025 edition of the National School Transportation Specifications manual instead of the 2015 edition, which changes the specific page numbers for requirements on chassis, heating systems, windows, emergency exits, and maintenance procedures that school buses must meet. The state is also adopting the 2026 edition of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance handbook for motor carrier safety enforcement, requiring commercial driver license applicants to demonstrate English language proficiency by understanding and conversing in English with testing staff and completing all written and driving tests in English only. Additionally, the Department of Public Safety is establishing a new permit system allowing industrial incinerators to operate in the Black Hills Forest Fire Protection District during winter months under strict conditions including continuous six-inch snow cover and weather monitoring, while also making minor clarifications to victims' services compensation rules regarding application procedures, hearing notices, and homicide scene cleanup eligibility and payment limits.
AI-generated from the adopted rule text — verify against the official documents.
The effect of the rules will be to adopt the 2025 edition of the National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures manual; amend school bus rules to reflect the correct referenced page numbers; adopt the 2026 edition of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance handbook; adopt English proficiency requirements; authorize permits and adopt requirements for the use of industrial incinerators; and amend victims services rules.
Senator Mehlhaff moved to deem the process complete despite discussion of ambiguous statutory rulemaking authority for the school bus rules (SDCL 13-29-6); the department committed to seeking clarifying legislation, and the committee voted unanimously to approve the full package including school bus, CVSA handbook, CDL English proficiency, wildland fire incinerator permit, and victim services rules.
No specific cites listed — see the package documents.
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