Immigration

This bill requires individuals registering to vote in South Dakota to provide proof of U.S. citizenship as part of their voter registration process. It directly affects all current and prospective voters by mandating the submission of specific documents such as a state-issued ID with citizenship verification, a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate. The legislation also establishes a "federal voter" designation for people who use only P.O. box addresses without a physical residence description, limiting their ballot access to federal elections only. Additionally, the bill sets a July 1, 2026 deadline for existing voters to re-submit citizenship documentation when changing counties within the state.

SB 180 modifies South Dakota's rules for issuing commercial driver licenses (CDLs) to non-residents ("nondomiciled" applicants). It specifically allows individuals with H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 work visas (or those from U.S. territories with these visas) and people from states with decertified CDL programs to obtain a South Dakota CDL. Key provisions require applicants to present valid visa documents at every license transaction, confirm immigration status via federal systems, and have licenses expire when their visa validity ends (or within one year of issuance). The license must display "nondomiciled," and holders must surrender any other state's nondomiciled CDL.