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revise certain provisions regarding the practice of chiropractic.

HB 1006 creates new definitions for chiropractic practice, including "chiropractic assistant" (a trained helper who works under a chiropractor's supervision), "chiropractic radiography" (X-rays used for diagnosis), and "chiropractic specialist" (a chiropractor with advanced training). The bill also clarifies the existing rule that practicing chiropractic without a current license is illegal, making it a Class 1 misdemeanor.

provide rule-making authority for establishing an appraiser experience training and setting fees.

This bill gives the Department of Labor and Regulation authority to create rules about appraiser training requirements and set fees for appraiser licensing and certification. The department can now establish rules covering experience training for appraisers and the costs associated with certification, licensing, and other appraiser-related fees.

create the used vehicle dealer education program and revise provisions regarding used vehicle licensure requirements.

This bill creates a new education requirement for used vehicle dealers in South Dakota. Anyone applying for a used vehicle dealer license must now complete at least 8 hours of pre-licensing education courses, and licensed dealers must complete at least 4 hours of continuing education each year to renew their license (though those who completed pre-licensing education within the past year are exempt from the annual requirement). The South Dakota Independent Automobile Dealers Association will develop the curriculum for these courses in consultation with the state department.

require the attorney general be licensed to practice law in the state.

South Dakota's Attorney General must now be licensed to practice law in the state, a new requirement added to existing law. This means the person serving as Attorney General needs to have an active law license in South Dakota, ensuring the state's top legal officer meets the same professional standards required of other lawyers in the state.

repeal the requirement for a well pump installer license.

SB 50 eliminates the requirement that people installing well pumps in South Dakota must obtain a special license from the state. After this bill passes, anyone will be able to install a well pump without needing to meet licensing requirements or get state approval first.

revise certain provisions regarding fingerprint-based background checks for the Real Estate Commission and the appraiser certification program.

South Dakota is updating background check requirements for real estate professionals and appraisers by clarifying that fingerprint-based criminal background checks must be completed before someone can be licensed as a real estate broker, property manager, or residential rental agent. The bill also allows the Real Estate Commission to require background checks for any licensed professional under disciplinary investigation, with applicants responsible for paying the fingerprinting and investigation fees.

repeal the registration requirement for medical assistants.

# HB 1004 Summary This bill eliminates the requirement for medical assistants to register with the state of South Dakota. Currently, medical assistants must complete a registration process; this bill removes that requirement, allowing people to work as medical assistants without state registration.

revise certain provisions regarding the licensing of electricians and electrical contractors.

This bill expands who can supervise electrician apprentices by allowing 501(d) electricians and employees of public entities or private companies to oversee apprentices, in addition to the currently authorized journeyman and Class B electricians. The change makes it easier for government agencies and larger employers to train electricians in-house by recognizing more types of qualified supervisors under state licensing law.

revise the structure and certain fees of the Board of Barber Examiners, the Board of Massage Therapy, and the Cosmetology Commission.

This bill restructures the licensing board that oversees barbers, massage therapists, and cosmetologists by creating a single nine-member board instead of separate boards, with membership divided among two barbers, two massage therapists, three public members, one cosmetologist, and one esthetician or nail technician. The bill also standardizes how board members are appointed and removes them, requiring three-year terms with a limit of three consecutive terms per person. Additionally, the bill revises certain licensing fees for these professions.

authorize the increase of certain fees by the State Electrical Commission.

The State Electrical Commission can now charge higher fees for electrical licenses and exams. Specifically, the exam fee increases from $100 to $150 per test, and the application fee doubles from $50 to $100. These fee increases help fund the commission's operations while regulating electricians in South Dakota.

adopt the emergency medical personnel licensure interstate compact.

South Dakota is joining an interstate compact that allows emergency medical personnel (like paramedics and EMTs) licensed in one state to work in other participating states without getting a separate license in each state. The bill repeals South Dakota's old reciprocal licensing system and updates state laws to align with this new interstate agreement, which should make it easier for emergency responders to work across state lines.

provide for licensure by endorsement for certain licensed professionals and occupations.

South Dakota licensing boards must now issue licenses to qualified professionals from other states, territories, or countries through a streamlined "licensure by endorsement" process, as long as the applicant holds a current license elsewhere with substantially equivalent requirements and demonstrates recent work experience or continuing education. This new rule overrides existing reciprocity laws and gives licensing boards consistent standards for approving out-of-state applicants, making it easier for licensed professionals to practice in South Dakota without having to meet additional state-specific requirements.

revise provisions related to physician assistants.

HB 1163 changes how physician assistants work in South Dakota by replacing the requirement for "supervision" by a doctor with a new "collaboration" model where physician assistants and physicians consult and share expertise instead. The bill also allows physician assistants to have collaborative agreements with other licensed physicians or even other physician assistants, rather than being limited to a single supervising doctor.

require that commercial pesticide applicators provide proof of financial responsibility.

# HB 1202 Summary Commercial pesticide applicators in South Dakota must now provide proof of financial responsibility, such as liability insurance or a bond, to operate legally. This new requirement protects the public by ensuring applicators can cover damages if their pesticide use causes harm to people, property, or the environment.

transfer licensure of individuals who may alter, repair, construct, or install on-site wastewater systems to the Plumbing Commission.

SB51 transfers oversight of people who install, repair, or alter septic systems and other on-site wastewater systems from their current regulatory agency to the state Plumbing Commission. This consolidation puts all plumbing-related licensing and regulation under one commission rather than splitting responsibility between multiple agencies.

repeal the registration requirements for certain amusement devices.

SB39 eliminates the requirement that owners of certain amusement devices register them with the state. This removes a regulatory burden for businesses operating amusement devices by eliminating the paperwork and registration fees previously required by state law.

revise the renewal date and maximum renewal fee of certain licenses issued by the plumbing commission.

This bill changes when plumbers must renew their licenses with the South Dakota Plumbing Commission, moving from an unspecified schedule to a three-year renewal cycle ending December 31st each year. To transition existing plumbers to the new system, the bill staggeres their first renewal payments in 2021-2024 based on their last names, with those starting with A-J paying one-third of the renewal fee first, K-Q paying two-thirds, and R-Z paying the full amount. The bill also specifies that renewal applications must be submitted by January 31st following the December 31st expiration date.

establish the South Dakota Board of Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensing and to repeal the South Dakota Board of Hearing Aid Dispensers and Audiologists and the South Dakota Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology.

South Dakota will combine three separate licensing boards into one new Board of Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensing. The bill eliminates the old Board of Hearing Aid Dispensers and Audiologists and the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology, consolidating all three professions under unified state oversight.

limit the liability regarding authorized boiler inspections.

This bill protects insurance companies and their inspectors from being sued over boiler inspections they conduct as part of issuing or renewing boiler insurance policies, unless the insurance company was grossly negligent. The new law shields insurers, their agents, and employees from liability claims for mistakes or failures during these inspections, with the exception that they can still be held responsible if their gross negligence directly caused an injury, death, or loss.

revise certain provisions regarding cosmetology apprentice programs.

South Dakota is expanding its cosmetology apprentice program by increasing the maximum number of apprentices allowed in an apprentice salon from four to eight, while maintaining a limit of two apprentices per instructor at any given time. The bill also lowers the minimum age requirement for apprentices from eighteen to seventeen years old. These changes make it easier for salons to train more apprentices and allow younger students to enter the profession.

revise certification and renewal fees for water supply and treatment system operators.

This bill caps certification and renewal fees for water supply and treatment system operators at ten dollars each, covering the cost of exams and administration. The change applies both to initial certification fees and annual renewal fees that operators must pay to maintain their credentials.

provide protection for actions assisting an impaired lawyer or judge.

South Dakota law creates immunity from lawsuits for people who help a lawyer or judge get treatment for substance abuse, gambling addiction, or medical conditions that impair their ability to practice law or judge fairly. The law protects those who report concerns about an impaired lawyer or judge to the State Bar or courts, as long as they act in good faith to help the person get help rather than to cause harm. Healthcare providers who are paid for their treatment services are excluded from this immunity protection.

create a peer support services program.

South Dakota's Department of Social Services will create a new peer support services program and establish licensing requirements for peer support specialists. The department will write rules covering what peer support specialists can do, how they become licensed, renewal procedures, continuing education, supervision standards, and ethical guidelines to protect people receiving these services. Funding for the program will be appropriated through the state's regular budget process.

revise certain training and testing requirements for entry level driver applicants for a commercial driver license.

South Dakota is updating its commercial driver's license training requirements to align with newer federal standards. The bill requires commercial driver license applicants to complete training through providers on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's official registry and changes the reference date for federal testing standards from January 1, 2015 to September 30, 2019, ensuring drivers meet current federal safety requirements.

establish uniform complaint and declaratory ruling procedures for agencies regulating certain professions and occupations.

This bill creates a standardized complaint and investigation process for all state agencies that license professions and occupations (such as doctors, contractors, and other licensed professionals). The new rules define how complaints can be filed, who investigates them, and establish consistent procedures across all these licensing boards instead of each having their own separate system.

authorize dentists to void certain contract terms with insurers.

This bill gives dentists the power to reject certain contract clauses with insurance companies that would let the insurer share their negotiated discounts with other insurers without giving up any of their own rights. The change essentially prevents insurers from profiting off dental discounts they negotiated without the dentist's consent, though insurers operating under the same brand can still share discounts together.

repeal certifications by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

HB 1205 removes the requirement that South Dakota recognize teacher certifications from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Teachers who hold only this national certification will no longer be able to use it to meet South Dakota's teaching credential requirements.

impose certain duties on providers of services under a case management plan of a workers' compensation insurance policy and provide a penalty for a violation thereof.

HB 1242 adds new requirements for companies that provide case management services under workers' compensation insurance policies, including duties they must fulfill in managing injured workers' cases. The bill also establishes penalties for providers who fail to meet these obligations. This change strengthens oversight of how case management services are delivered to injured workers in South Dakota.

require the inspection of moisture-measuring devices and to establish fees.

South Dakota grain elevators and other businesses that measure moisture and protein in agricultural commodities must now have their measuring devices inspected annually by the Department of Public Safety to ensure accuracy. Devices that pass inspection will receive an official seal, while those that fail will be marked as defective and cannot be used for commerce. The bill establishes this new inspection requirement and authorizes the department to set and collect fees for conducting these inspections.

authorize members of the Legislature to submit a request for continuing education to a licensing board or commission in this state.

SB179 removes a restriction that prevented South Dakota legislators from requesting continuing education credits from state licensing boards and commissions. By repealing the existing prohibition, legislators can now pursue professional development courses and earn continuing education hours just like other professionals in licensed fields. This change allows lawmakers to maintain or advance their professional licenses while serving in the legislature.

revise certain regulations pertaining to dealers of motor vehicles, boats, snowmobiles, or manufactured homes and mobile homes.

This bill makes dealer information for motor vehicle, boat, snowmobile, and manufactured home dealers publicly available through the state department, including their name, address, phone number, and license type. It also changes the fee for obtaining a vehicle or boat title history from the state and extends the record-keeping requirement for boat dealers from three to five years.

revise provisions regarding warranty agreements with certain repair facilities.

SB 101 requires vehicle manufacturers and franchisors to approve or deny warranty claims from dealers within 30 days and pay approved claims within another 30 days. If a claim is rejected only for technical reasons, dealers can resubmit it within 30 days and it will be automatically approved and paid, while manufacturers retain the right to audit claims for one year after payment (or two years if fraud is suspected).

eliminate the exemption from the perpetual care funds provisions for certain cemeteries.

SB 106 removes a special exemption that certain cemeteries previously had from South Dakota's perpetual care fund requirements. This means those cemeteries will now be required to follow the same rules as other cemeteries regarding setting aside money to maintain the cemetery in perpetuity.