South Dakota 2026 Regular Session Status: In Committee 29 R cosponsors

SB 83 — 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.

Last action — Transportation Deferred to the 41st legislative day , Passed, YEAS 4, NAYS 3 S.J. 6

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced January 14, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Stalled 30% · moderate confidence

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 29 sponsors

    29 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (29 R).

  • Mixed recorded votes

    1 passed, 1 failed in recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

8 added · 30 removed

8 line(s) added, 30 removed.

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Previous
Latest
83A 101st Legislative Session 83 South Dakota Legislature Senate Bill 83 AMENDMENT 83A FOR THE INTRODUCED BILL Introduced by:
26.57.33 101st Legislative Session 83 South Dakota Legislature Senate Bill 83 Introduced by:
83A 2 83 The department may waive the knowledge and skills tests specified in this section for a commercial driver license applicant who meets the requirements of 49 C.F.R.
26.57.33 2 83 The department may waive the knowledge and skills tests specified in this section for a commercial driver license applicant who meets the requirements of 49 C.F.R.
83A 3 83 (3) Has received entry-level driver training from a provider that meets the federal standards established in 49 C.F.R.
26.57.33 3 83 (3) Has received entry-level driver training from a provider that meets the federal standards established in 49 C.F.R.
83A 4 83 (2) Conducting an oral interview with an applicant, in English, if the applicant is applying for a commercial driver license.
26.57.33 4 83 (2) Conducting an oral interview with an applicant, in English, if the applicant is applying for a commercial driver license.
If the law enforcement officer determines the driver is unable to respond to official inquiries in English proficiently, the officer must cite the driver for a violation of the English proficiency requirement contained 49 C.F.R.
§ 391.11 (January 1, 2026), and place the driver out of service.
Overstrikes indicate deleted language.
83A 5 83 Section 7.
That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 32-12A:
If a member of the armed forces of the United States or a family member, or a government employee or a family member, is on an extended assignment outside the continental United States and is unable to renew a commercial driver license in person, that individual may renew the license using a form available on the Department of Public Safety website, provided the applicant:
(1) Renews online no more than once in ten years;
(2) Is a United States citizen or a permanent resident;
(3) Holds a valid, federally compliant license with a gold star;
(4) Holds a valid medical certificate;
and (5) Provides proof of residency and all other information the department requires.
An applicant may not renew remotely if the applicant is changing to a different class of commercial driver license, changing endorsements, or changing a name.
An applicant who wears bioptic lenses may not renew remotely.
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Action History

  1. Transportation Deferred to the 41st legislative day , Passed, YEAS 4, NAYS 3 S.J. 6

  2. Transportation Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 3, NAYS 4 S.J. 6

  3. Transportation Motion to amend , Passed, S.J. 5 Amendment 83A

  4. Scheduled for hearing S.J. 1

  5. First read in Senate and referred to Senate Transportation S.J. 35

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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29 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 76 not signed on · 5 voted No

Sponsors (29)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (76)

76 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 76 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Subjects

transportation
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 83?
SB 83 is sponsored by Curt Voight (Republican), John Sjaarda (Republican), William Shorma (Republican), Brandei Schaefbauer (Republican), Kathy Rice (Republican), Tom Pischke (Republican), Sue Peterson (Republican), Carl Perry (Republican), Al Novstrup (Republican), Lauren Nelson (Republican), Scott Moore (Republican), Logan Manhart (Republican), Tony Kayser (Republican), Terri Jorgenson (Republican), Dylan Jordan (Republican), Phil Jensen (Republican), Kevin Jensen (Republican), John Hughes (Republican), Joy Hohn (Republican), Tamara Grove (Republican), Lana Greenfield (Republican), Josephine Garcia (Republican), John Carley (Republican), Greg Blanc (Republican), Heather Baxter (Republican), Aaron Aylward (Republican), Julie Auch (Republican), Taffy Howard (Republican), and Tim Goodwin (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 83?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced January 14, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 83?
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Last checked for changes 2 months ago · updated continuously

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