The bill amends South Dakota law to require that both motor vehicle operator's licenses and nondriver identification cards include an indication of the holder's United States citizenship status. Specifically, it mandates that licenses must now include a statement confirming whether the licensee is a U.S. citizen, alongside other identifying information such as a distinguishing number, full legal name, date of birth, gender, principal residence address, and various other indicators related to health care directives and veteran status. The language in the existing law is updated to replace "shall" with "must" to emphasize the requirement, and several details are added to the list of information that must be included on the licenses.

Additionally, the bill outlines similar requirements for nondriver identification cards, which must also indicate if the holder has a living will, is a veteran, and is a U.S. citizen. The amendments ensure that both types of identification cards are consistent in their requirements regarding citizenship status. The bill also clarifies the expiration terms for these cards, linking them to the holder's authorized stay in the United States or a five-year period, whichever is shorter. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance the identification process by ensuring that citizenship status is clearly indicated on these important documents.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/15/2025: 32-12-17.10
Senate State Affairs Engrossed, 01/27/2025: 32-12-17.10, 32-12-17.2