# South Dakota HB 1024: modify requirements for ambulance operators.

South Dakota HB 1024, modify requirements for ambulance operators., is a 101st South Dakota Legislature (2026) House bill sponsored by Walburg, Tim (Republican); status signed, last action 2026-02-09 (Signed by the Governor) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1024-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: South Dakota HB 1024
- State: South Dakota
- Session: 101st South Dakota Legislature (2026)
- Title: modify requirements for ambulance operators.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-13
- Last action: 2026-02-09, Signed by the Governor
- Sponsor: Walburg, Tim (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 7
- Subjects: Emergency Medical Services, Interim Legislative Committee Bill, Motor Vehicles, Professions and Occupations, Public Health and Safety, Traffic Laws
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 4 (120 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 2

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Ambulance drivers gain limited emergency driving options: mixed, low. Qualified South Dakota ambulance operators can use blue lights with written approval while heading to emergencies requiring their services. Ambulance service directors can approve only members in good standing. Drivers must still drive with due regard for safety, and unlawful blue-light use is a Cl…
- New qualification rules for ambulance crews: mixed, low. In South Dakota, each ambulance run must include a licensed emergency medical technician or advanced life support worker, plus a qualified operator. Operators must be at least 18 and hold a valid driver's license. They must be licensed emergency medical services personnel, firefighters, law enforce…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Walburg, Tim (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Emery, Eric (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Garcia, Josephine (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Grove, Tamara R. (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Hunt, Jana (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Kull, David (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Reed, Tim S. (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Voight, Curt (Republican), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-01-29 | Senate | Do Pass Amended | pass | 33 | 0 |   |
| 2026-01-28 | Senate | Do Pass | pass | 7 | 0 |   |
| 2026-01-22 | House | Do Pass Amended | pass | 67 | 0 |   |
| 2026-01-20 | House | Do Pass Amended | pass | 13 | 0 |   |

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2026-01-01: [PDF](https://mylrc.sdlegislature.gov/api/Documents/299633.pdf)

## Related bills

- HB 1245: authorize municipalities to establish a local funding mechanism for capital improvement projects. (signed)
- HB 1193: modify the provisions for a refund of taxes to disabled veterans and surviving spouses under certain property tax relief programs. (signed)
- HB 1149: adopt the athletic trainer licensure compact. (signed)
- HB 1148: adopt the respiratory care interstate compact. (signed)
- HB 1082: establish parameters for the reimbursement of school districts that provide free or reduced-price meals to students. (signed)
- HB 1051: revise property tax levies for school districts and to revise the state aid to general and special education formulas. (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://mylrc.sdlegislature.gov/api/Documents/299633.pdf)

## Related
- [HB 1245: authorize municipalities to establish a local funding mechanism for capital imp…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1245-2026)
- [HB 1193: modify the provisions for a refund of taxes to disabled veterans and surviving…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1193-2026)
- [HB 1149: adopt the athletic trainer licensure compact.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1149-2026)
- [HB 1148: adopt the respiratory care interstate compact.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1148-2026)
- [HB 1082: establish parameters for the reimbursement of school districts that provide fre…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1082-2026)
- [HB 1051: revise property tax levies for school districts and to revise the state aid to…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1051-2026)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1024-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).