South DakotaSouth Dakota cites updated federal standards for pipeline safety
The law cites federal pipeline safety standards dated January 1, 2026, and requires South Dakota’s Public Utilities Commission to run a federally certified inspection program.
What it does
The law cites federal pipeline safety standards dated January 1, 2026. The Public Utilities Commission must run an inspection program that meets federal certification requirements.
The commission may set state safety rules for gas pipelines and take on federal inspection work when authorized. State rules cannot be stricter than federal standards.
Argument forUsing federal standards could help the commission run a pipeline inspection program that meets federal certification requirements.
Argument againstBecause state rules cannot be stricter than federal standards, the commission may have less room to address a safety issue with tougher state rules.
More detail
The law cites federal pipeline safety standards dated January 1, 2026, and requires the commission to run an inspection program that meets federal certification requirements. These standards apply to pipeline safety under this chapter. The cited standards include the listed federal regulations and appendices. January 1, 2026, is the date of the cited federal standards; the text does not state when this provision takes effect.
The commission may set state pipeline safety rules and may take on federal inspection work when authorized. State rules may cover intrastate gas transportation and facilities. Federal inspection work may cover intrastate and interstate gas pipelines in South Dakota. State rules cannot be stricter than federal standards. Rules for construction, design, initial inspection, initial testing, and installation do not apply to facilities that already exist when the rules are adopted. Federal inspection work depends on agreement or federal authorization. If federal inspection authority is delegated to the state, the commission must carry it out.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 12Signed by the Governor Larry Rhoden on 2026-03-12 H.J. 562Became Law
- Mar 5Delivered to the Governor on 2026-03-05 H.J. 520To Governor
- Mar 4Signed by the President S.J. 470Major
- Mar 3Signed by the Speaker H.J. 492Major
- Mar 2Senate Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 33, NAYS 0 S.J. 426Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 26Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed,
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 26Commerce and Energy Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 0Minor
- Feb 26Scheduled for hearing S.J. 1
- Jan 21First read in Senate and referred to Senate Commerce and Energy S.J. 75Minor
- Jan 20House of Representatives Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 69, NAYS 0 H.J. 53Passed House
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 16Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed, H.J. 1
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 16Commerce and Energy Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 13, NAYS 0 H.J. 1Minor
- Jan 16Scheduled for hearing H.J. 1
- Jan 13First read in House and referred to House Commerce and Energy H.J. 11Introduced
Public Safety