The bill amends South Dakota law regarding the titling of motor vehicles, off-road vehicles, and snowmobiles by exempting motor vehicle insurers from a specific title fee. Currently, any owner who titles a vehicle without a South Dakota-issued driver license or identification card, or a physical address in the state, is required to pay an additional one-hundred-dollar fee on top of the standard title application fee. This fee is not applicable to certain transactions, including title corrections, duplicate titles, and situations where an insurer takes title to a vehicle due to a covered loss.

The amendment specifically adds an exemption for motor vehicle insurers, allowing them to avoid the additional fee when taking title to a vehicle. This change aims to streamline the process for insurers and reduce financial burdens associated with titling vehicles that they acquire through claims. The bill maintains the existing provisions regarding the distribution of the fee, with half going to the state motor vehicle fund and half to the county general fund, but now clarifies that insurers are not subject to this fee.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/29/2025: 32-3-18.2
Senate Transportation Engrossed, 02/05/2025: 32-3-18.2
Enrolled, 03/04/2025: 32-3-18.2