HB 1024 South Dakota House · 2026 Regular Session

modify requirements for ambulance operators.

HB 1024 modifies requirements for ambulance operators in South Dakota by establishing new certification standards. It mandates that ambulance operators must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid driver's license, and meet one of three criteria: be licensed as emergency medical services personnel under Chapter 36-4B, be a law enforcement officer, or complete approved CPR training and a 16-hour emergency vehicle operator course. The bill also requires ambulance services to maintain documentation of these qualifications and provide it to the state upon request. These changes directly affect ambulance operators and ambulance services statewide, updating existing requirements under Chapter 36-4B and related statutes.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Jan 2026
House Passage
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
Signed into Law
Feb 2026
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Signed Feb 9, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Health and Human Services Engrossed Enrolled · 6 edits · Feb 2, 2026
MODERATE
HB 1024 modifies requirements for ambulance operators in South Dakota by establishing new qualifications and documentation standards. The bill clarifies who may operate ambulances, what training is required, and how blue lights may be used by emergency vehicles. These changes aim to standardize ambulance operations and ensure operators meet specific competency requirements.
Scope change
The bill expands eligibility criteria for ambulance operators by adding specific training and certification requirements, while also clarifying the use of blue lights for emergency vehicles.
REQUIREMENT

Added new Section 4 requiring ambulance operators to be at least 18 years old, possess a driver's license, and meet specific qualifications including being licensed EMS personnel, a firefighter, law enforcement officer, or completing CPR and emergency vehicle operator training.

Modified Section 34-11-12 to require each ambulance run to include one EMS personnel and one ambulance operator meeting the new Section 4 requirements.

Modified Section 32-17-42 to clarify that ambulance operators meeting Section 4 requirements may operate with blue lights when responding to emergencies.

Modified Section 32-31-4 to allow ambulance operators meeting Section 4 requirements to exceed speed limits without audible signals when operating outside city limits.

Added requirement for ambulance services to maintain documentation of operator qualifications and provide it to the department upon request.

DEFINITION

Modified Section 36-4B-1 to update definitions of emergency medical services personnel to include various certification levels.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
9
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Feb 9, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor on 2026-02-09 H.J. 254
executive
Feb 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by the President S.J. 171
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 199
upper
Jan 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 33, NAYS 0 S.J. 144
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed, S.J. 5
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Health and Human Services Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0 S.J. 5
upper
Jan 23, 2026
Introduced
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Health and Human Services S.J. 92
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 67, NAYS 0 H.J. 115
lower
Jan 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed,
lower
Jan 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Health and Human Services Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 13, NAYS 0
lower
Jan 20, 2026
Introduced
Health and Human Services Motion to amend , Passed, Amendment 1024A
lower
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
First read in House and referred to House Health and Human Services H.J. 12
lower
8 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors