The bill amends existing South Dakota law to increase civil penalties for commercial driver violations. Specifically, it modifies the civil penalties associated with violations of certain provisions, including the civil in rem proceedings against employers for violations of subdivision 32-12A-5(4) and subdivision 32-12A-5(3). The maximum civil penalty against employers for the first violation is raised from $20,537 to $20,539, while the penalties for drivers violating out-of-service orders are increased from $3,961 to $3,963 for a first conviction and from $7,924 to $7,926 for a second or subsequent conviction.

Additionally, the bill adjusts the civil in rem proceedings for violations of subdivision 32-12A-5(3), increasing the minimum penalty from $7,155 to $7,157 and the maximum from $39,615 to $39,617. These changes aim to enhance enforcement and compliance among commercial drivers and their employers by imposing stricter financial consequences for violations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/09/2026: 32-12A-5.1, 32-12A-56, 32-12A-57