provide that equine dental maintenance not constitute the practice of veterinary medicine.
This bill clarifies that providing dental care to horses does not count as practicing veterinary medicine in South Dakota. It directly affects equine dentists, farriers, and other professionals who perform routine dental maintenance on horses without being licensed veterinarians. The key provision removes the legal barrier that previously classified equine dental work as veterinary practice, allowing these professionals to continue their services without needing a veterinary license. This change aims to reduce regulatory burdens on equine dental care providers while maintaining the distinction between dental maintenance and medical treatment.
Bill status
passed
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
House Passage
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 10, 2025
Last action Mar 4, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
House Engrossed
·
1 edit
·
Feb 7, 2025
MINOR
This bill adds a new exemption to South Dakota's veterinary practice laws, allowing individuals to perform specific equine dental procedures without being licensed veterinarians. The change clarifies that equine dental maintenance does not constitute the practice of veterinary medicine, expanding who can legally perform these services.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of who can legally perform equine dental procedures by adding a new category of exempt activities to the existing list of non-veterinary practices.
SCOPE
Added new subsection (10) exempting individuals from veterinary licensing requirements when performing equine dental procedures including removal of enamel points, smoothing, contouring, leveling of dental arcades and incisors, and removal of deciduous and mobile teeth using handheld or motorized equipment.
Floor votes · House Feb 7, 2025
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
11
Key actions
4
Committee
3
Amendments
2
Mar 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Agriculture and Natural Resources Deferred to the 41st legislative day , Passed, YEAS 5, NAYS 2
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Introduced
Agriculture and Natural Resources Motion to amend , Passed, Amendment 1176B
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced
First read in Senate and referred to S.J. 218
upper
Feb 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 39, NAYS 28 H.J. 229
lower
Feb 7, 2025
Introduced
House of Representatives Motion to amend , Passed, H.J. 228 Amendment 1176A
lower
Feb 7, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (39-27-2)
house
Feb 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Agriculture and Natural Resources Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 6
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to H.J. 171
lower
9 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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