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update references to certain federal motor carrier regulations.

South Dakota updates its adoption of federal motor carrier safety regulations to reflect the most current versions as of January 1, 2022, instead of 2021. The bill also clarifies that intrastate drivers (those operating within South Dakota) are exempt from federal physical certification requirements unless their employer specifically requires it. These changes keep the state's trucking safety standards aligned with the latest federal regulations.

revise the duty of governing boards regarding dangerous roadways.

HB1205 clarifies that when local governing bodies learn about dangerous conditions on roads, bridges, or culverts—whether from direct notice or other means—they must put up safety guards within 48 hours and either repair the damage or create an alternative route within a reasonable timeframe. The bill also requires the same safety guards be placed across abandoned public roads, bridges, and culverts. Officials who fail to follow these requirements can be charged with a petty offense.

authorize highway maintenance vehicles to operate at less than the posted minimum speed on interstate highways.

Highway maintenance vehicles will be allowed to drive slower than the posted minimum speed limit on interstate highways while performing their work. This change lets maintenance crews operate at safer speeds when they need to repair or clear roads, without violating speed limit laws.

revise provisions regarding the right-of-way of vehicles at an intersection.

SB129 clarifies South Dakota's right-of-way rules at intersections by changing when the rule applies—it now says the rule takes effect "if" two vehicles approach or enter an intersection at approximately the same time, rather than just "when" they do. The bill also maintains the existing requirement that the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right, and keeps the penalty as a Class 2 misdemeanor for violations.

Honoring Onion Ring, a world-class bucking horse, for earning the 2021 World Champion saddle bronc title and for his high caliber performance on the national stage.

This resolution honors Onion Ring, a champion bucking horse that won the 2021 World Champion saddle bronc title. The bill makes minor technical amendments to South Dakota law related to motorized scooters and transportation recordkeeping, though these changes appear unrelated to the horse tribute itself.

authorize the use of electric all-terrain and off-road vehicles on public highways and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota now allows electric all-terrain and off-road vehicles to be licensed as motorcycles for use on public highways, matching the existing rules that already applied to gas-powered versions of these vehicles. These electric vehicles must still meet the same safety requirements (lights, brakes, and other equipment) as motorcycles, and they're banned from interstate highways just like their gas-powered counterparts.

clarify the description of common carrier pipelines.

This bill clarifies which pipelines are classified as common carriers in South Dakota by specifying that pipelines transporting "any raw material intended for commerce" are included, alongside agricultural products, petroleum products, and other tangible goods. The change makes the definition broader and clearer so that pipelines serving the general public for hire fall under common carrier regulations in Chapter 49-41B, rather than other pipeline regulations in Title 49.

revise provisions regarding out-of-service motor carrier violations.

This bill creates a new, less serious violation for commercial truck drivers whose employer's operation is subject to an out-of-service order, making it a Class 2 misdemeanor instead of a Class 1 misdemeanor that applies when the driver or vehicle themselves is under the order. The bill distinguishes between violations based on who or what is actually subject to the order, allowing for different penalty levels depending on the circumstances of the violation.

revise provisions regarding the use of certain lights by county highway department authorized vehicles.

SB 91 clarifies when county highway department vehicles can use blue lights by requiring drivers to be on duty and maintaining highways, or traveling to an emergency scene with written authorization. The bill removes language allowing general use of blue lights by county highway vehicles and instead aligns their authority more closely with specific job duties, matching the restrictions already applied to state Department of Transportation vehicles.

revise the safety zone within which a firearm may be discharged or trapping activities may occur.

This bill expands where people can legally hunt and trap in South Dakota by allowing these activities on highways and public rights-of-way (with some exceptions like interstate highways and park areas), as long as they follow specific rules about what can be hunted. The bill clarifies that small game hunting is permitted on these public roads if the game is within the road boundaries or in flight over private land after originating from the road itself. Property owners, livestock owners, and people with written permission are allowed to use highways and rights-of-way for these activities.

revise certain provisions regarding motor vehicle license plates.

South Dakota now requires vehicle owners to receive one license plate or sticker instead of two when they register their vehicle. The bill also clarifies that county treasurer offices must stock standard license plates, specialty plates, commercial trailer plates, and regular trailer plates to meet registration requests.

Commending Maiya Muller for winning the State Class A girls golf individual title.

This is a commendation resolution honoring Maiya Muller for winning the South Dakota Class A girls golf individual title—it doesn't make substantive changes to state law. The bill makes minor technical amendments to sections of state code related to corporate governance and residential property law, though these appear to be procedural adjustments rather than policy changes.