HB 1242 South Dakota House · 2026 Regular Session

require emergency personnel to use flares or emergency reflective triangles to mark stopped emergency vehicles in some circumstances.

HB 1242 requires emergency personnel (police, fire, EMTs) to place three flares or emergency reflective triangles around stopped emergency vehicles when visibility is reduced by weather, terrain, or time of day; road conditions make stopping difficult; or the emergency requires extended vehicle stops. The law specifies placement: 100 feet front and rear on two-way roads, with adjusted spacing (100 feet and 200 feet rear) on one-way roads. This applies to all emergency vehicles operating under the statute's exemptions. The policy change aims to improve safety visibility for responders and other drivers during emergency stops.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Last action Feb 10, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

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

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
1
Committee
0
Feb 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Transportation Tabled , Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 0 H.J. 18
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
First read in House and referred to House Transportation H.J. 193
lower
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors