3/10/05-With the threat of losing millions in federal highway money, Gov. Mike Rounds has signed a bill into law to bring South Dakota into line with recently enacted federal standards for commercial driver’s licenses.
Federal law mandates a fingerprint-based background check on all truck drivers who haul hazardous materials. The cost of the check is estimated at about $100, depending on which state you are licensed in.
The fee is made up of three parts: a fee for the collection of fingerprints and applicant information; a fee for threat assessment, during which the Transportation Security Administration decides whether the person is a security threat; and a fee for the FBI to run the fingerprints through its system.
Under the new law, anyone seeking a CDL with an endorsement to haul hazardous materials for the first time needs such a background check. The requirements kick in after May 31 for drivers renewing their endorsement or transferring a hazmat endorsement from one state to another.
Had South Dakota failed to adopt the new standards, the state stood to lose $7 million the first year of noncompliance. Subsequent penalties would have been doubled.
The federal government could even have taken away South Dakota’s authority to issue CDLs.
The new law, previously HB1061, makes the needed changes in state law.

1/25/05-House lawmakers voted in favor of a bill 56-13 on Jan. 24 that would bring the state in line with recently enacted federal standards for commercial driver’s licenses. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Federal law mandates a fingerprint-based background check on all truck drivers who haul hazardous materials. The cost of the check is estimated at just below $100.
The fee is made up of three parts: a fee for the collection of fingerprints and applicant information; a fee for threat assessment, during which the Transportation Security Administration decides whether the person is a security threat; and a fee for the FBI to run the fingerprints through its system.
Under HB1061, sponsored by the state Public Safety Department, anyone seeking a CDL to haul hazardous materials after Jan. 30 would need such a background check.
After May 31, anyone renewing or transferring a hazmat endorsement from one state to another would have to have a background check.
If lawmakers fail to add the standards to South Dakota law, the state might lose millions in federal highway money.
The first year of noncompliance would equate to a 5 percent cut, or $7 million. Subsequent penalties would be doubled.
Also, the federal government could take away the state’s authority to issue CDLs.
For bill status, call (605) 773-3251.

1/24/05-A bill in the House Transportation Committee would bring the state in line with recently enacted federal standards for commercial driver’s licenses.
Federal law mandates a fingerprint-based background check on all truck drivers who haul hazardous materials. The cost of the check is estimated at just below $100.
The fee is made up of three parts: a fee for the collection of fingerprints and applicant information; a fee for threat assessment, during which the Transportation Security Administration decides whether the person is a security threat; and a fee for the FBI to run the fingerprints through its system.
Under HB1061, sponsored by the state Public Safety Department, anyone seeking a CDL to haul hazardous materials after Jan. 30 would need such a background check.
After May 31, anyone renewing or transferring a hazmat endorsement from one state to another would have to have a background check.
If lawmakers fail to add the standards to South Dakota law, the state might lose millions in federal highway money.
The first year of noncompliance would equate to a 5 percent cut, or $7 million. Subsequent penalties would be doubled.
Also, the federal government could take away the state’s authority to issue CDLs.
For bill status, call (605) 773-3251.