# South Dakota SB 164: 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.

South Dakota SB 164, 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., is a 101st South Dakota Legislature (2026) Senate bill sponsored by Goodwin, Tim (Republican), Howard, Taffy (Republican); status signed, last action 2026-03-11 (Signed by the Governor) (as of 2026-10-19).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-SB164-2026
- As of: 2026-10-19
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: South Dakota SB 164
- State: South Dakota
- Session: 101st South Dakota Legislature (2026)
- Title: 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.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-29
- Last action: 2026-03-11, Signed by the Governor
- Sponsors: Goodwin, Tim (Republican), Howard, Taffy (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 5
- Subjects: Commercial Trucking, Driver License, Law Enforcement, Motor Vehicles, Penalty, Promulgation of Rules
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 5 (136 yes, 14 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 1

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Stricter driver licensing with military test waivers: mixed, medium. South Dakota commercial driver license holders must be proficient in English. License applicants must meet state residency rules, federal qualifications, knowledge and driving test standards, and entry-level training requirements. Learner's permit applicants must also meet residency and federal kno…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Goodwin, Tim (Republican), House
- Sponsor: Howard, Taffy (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Jensen, Phil (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Jordan, Dylan C. (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Nelson, Lauren (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Perry, Carl (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Sjaarda, John (Republican), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-04 | Senate | Concurred in amendments | pass | 32 | 2 |   |
| 2026-03-02 | House | Do Pass Amended | pass | 60 | 5 |   |
| 2026-02-24 | House | Do Pass Amended | pass | 10 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-05 | Senate | Do Pass | pass | 29 | 5 |   |
| 2026-02-04 | Senate | Do Pass | pass | 5 | 2 |   |

## Actions (17)

- 2026-03-11: Signed by the Governor (Senate)
- 2026-03-10: Delivered to the Governor (Senate)
- 2026-03-09: Signed by the Speaker (House)
- 2026-03-05: Signed by the President (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Concurred in amendments (Senate)
- 2026-03-02: Do Pass Amended (House)
- 2026-02-26: Remove from Consent Calendar (House)
- 2026-02-24: Certified uncontested, placed on consent (House)
- 2026-02-24: Do Pass Amended (House)
- 2026-02-24: Motion to amend (House)
- 2026-02-24: Scheduled for hearing (House)
- 2026-02-09: Referred to (House)
- 2026-02-06: First Reading House (House)
- 2026-02-05: Do Pass (Senate)
- 2026-02-04: Do Pass (Senate)
- 2026-02-04: Scheduled for hearing (Senate)
- 2026-01-29: First read in Senate and referred to (Senate)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2026-01-29: [PDF](https://mylrc.sdlegislature.gov/api/Documents/306312.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 1148: adopt the respiratory care interstate compact. (signed)
- HB 1149: adopt the athletic trainer licensure compact. (signed)
- HB 1051: revise property tax levies for school districts and to revise the state aid to general and special education formulas. (signed)
- HB 1082: establish parameters for the reimbursement of school districts that provide free or reduced-price meals to students. (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://mylrc.sdlegislature.gov/api/Documents/306312.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 1148: adopt the respiratory care interstate compact.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1148-2026)
- [HB 1149: adopt the athletic trainer licensure compact.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1149-2026)
- [HB 1051: revise property tax levies for school districts and to revise the state aid to…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1051-2026)
- [HB 1082: establish parameters for the reimbursement of school districts that provide fre…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-HB1082-2026)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/SD-SB164-2026 (as of 2026-10-19).