This bill revises South Dakota law by consolidating the responsibilities of the Transportation Commission, which will now incorporate duties previously held by the South Dakota Railroad Board and the South Dakota Aeronautics Commission. Key amendments include a requirement for at least two members of the Transportation Commission to have experience in rail service and aeronautics, respectively. The bill empowers the Commission to approve expenditures for airport facilities, create rules in line with federal aeronautics regulations, and manage appeals related to airport operating licenses. Additionally, it establishes a special aviation internal service fund for state aircraft operations and maintenance, aiming to streamline transportation governance by centralizing authority under the Transportation Commission.

The bill also introduces new definitions related to aeronautics and airport regulations, such as "prescribed adjusted height" and clarifications for "small unmanned aircraft" and "small unmanned aircraft system." It repeals several sections concerning the South Dakota State Railroad Board and the Aeronautics Commission, including the structure, appointment, and responsibilities of these entities. Notably, it removes the requirement for the commission to advise on state-owned aircraft and report its proceedings to the Governor, as well as provisions regarding the approval of expenditures for airport facilities and the operation of state aircraft for other departments. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the regulatory framework governing aeronautics and airport operations in South Dakota.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/08/2026: 1-44-4, 1-44-11, 1-44-20, 1-44-27, 1-44-30, 3-23-10, 4-8-17.1, 6-20-1, 10-28-21.6, 38-21-20, 49-16B-3, 49-16B-13.1, 49-16C-3, 49-16C-4, 49-16C-5, 49-16C-7, 50-1-1, 50-5-1.2, 1-44-25, 1-44-26, 49-16C-6, 50-2-1, 50-2-1.1, 50-2-4, 50-2-12, 50-2-13, 50-2-15, 50-2-16, 50-2-17, 50-2-32