The bill amends various sections of South Dakota's pipeline safety regulations to update citations to federal regulations and clarify definitions related to pipeline safety inspections. Key changes include the adoption of federal safety standards as set forth in 49 C.F.R. parts 191 to 193, inclusive, 199, and appendices to parts 191 and 192, with an effective date of January 1, 2026. The bill also revises definitions for terms such as "emergency release," "gas pipeline," and "pipeline operator," ensuring they align with updated federal language and standards.

Additionally, the bill establishes that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will implement a pipeline safety inspection program that complies with federal requirements, and it allows the commission to set safety standards that are not more stringent than federal standards. The commission is also empowered to act as an agent for the U.S. Department of Transportation in implementing federal pipeline safety regulations and may seek federal designation for its inspectors. The amendments aim to enhance pipeline safety oversight while ensuring compliance with updated federal regulations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/01/2026: 49-34B-1, 49-34B-3, 49-34B-4, 49-34B-13, 49-34B-14, 49-34B-15, 49-34B-19, 49-34B-22