The bill amends South Dakota law to allow sheriffs to charge a fee for the service of process, regardless of whether the service is completed. Specifically, it modifies Section 7-12-18 to state that for any summons, complaint, or other legal documents submitted for service, the fee can be up to fifty dollars, irrespective of the outcome of the service attempt. This change aims to streamline the fee structure for sheriffs and ensure they are compensated for their efforts in serving legal documents.

Additionally, the bill maintains existing fees for various services provided by sheriffs, such as serving orders of arrest, subpoenas, and executing writs. It also specifies that only one fee may be charged for multiple processes served at the same time on the same individual, and outlines the conditions under which travel expenses and commissions are calculated. The fees collected are designated for law enforcement purposes, ensuring that the funds support public safety initiatives.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 12/27/2024: 7-12-18
Senate Judiciary Engrossed, 01/16/2025: 7-12-18
Enrolled, 02/03/2025: 7-12-18