New Laws Effective July 1, 2017 While the 2017 Session was primarily a year to play defense, there were a few measures that passed and will affect how municipalities do business and activities within the community. Refer to the updated Handbook for more information on these issues. SB 48, An Act to provide for the certification of emergency medical responders Creates a new category for an Emergency Medical Responder - so someone can give care in an emergency while waiting for an EMT or higher level responder. There is less training involved than for a full EMT, and it is hoped the people who are involved through this might be interested in going up to the full EMT level. SB 98, An Act to revise provisions regarding deadlines for municipal election recounts There are currently no deadlines for when candidates involved in a recount must name their representatives, nor for when the recount occurs. This bill set those deadlines. SB 99, An Act to revise certain provisions regarding the petition signature requirements for municipal elections Establishes a date (second Tuesday in January) on which the county auditor records the number of registered voters in each municipality. Signature limits for nominating petitions and initiative and referendum petitions are then based on that number for the ensuing year. SB 143, An Act to create a license for the transfer of alcohol by certain off-sale licensees and to allow certain off-sale licensees to deliver alcohol Creates a new “Transfer of alcohol by an off-sale licensee” license which allows an off-sale license to deliver alcohol that had been purchased on-site at the ‘package’ establishment. Requires proof of age at both purchase and point of delivery.
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SB 146, An Act to revise the voting authority of an alderman Makes mostly clean-up changes to the chapter governing the aldermanic form of government; clarifies the quorum and majority vote when there is a vacant seat on the council; clarifies that the president of the council, when acting as Mayor, may only vote as an alderman and may not break a tie. HB 1036, An Act to revise certain provisions concerning voter registration and notices of boundary changes for local elections Technical revision of voter registration deadlines; changes the deadline to notify the county auditor of boundary changes in even numbered years to at least 100 days before the general election. HB 1053, An Act to revise certain provisions concerning the attorney recruitment assistance program Expands the attorney rural practice assistance program to municipalities that have a population under 3,500; and agree to provide the municipality’s portion of the incentive payment; and is determined to be eligible by the Unified Judicial System. HB 1161, An Act to repeal the requirement for certain township, municipal, and school district fiscal reports to be submitted to county auditors There is a law that requires all municipalities and school districts to file a report of total indebtedness, liabilities, assets, etc. by December 31 each year. This bill would repeal that requirement
SOUTH DAKOTA MUNICIPALITIES
