An Act to create a habitat conservation specialty plate and emblem.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. That chapter 32-5 be amended with a NEW SECTION:

Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state and who has complied with all of the laws of this state in relation to the registration of a motor vehicle may receive habitat conservation specialty plates. The specialty plates must be issued only upon proof of payment of the current registration fees. Habitat conservation specialty plates may only be used on automobiles, pickup trucks, or vans licensed pursuant to § 32-5-6, motorcycles licensed pursuant to § 32-5-9, or pickup trucks licensed pursuant to § 32-5-6.3. Habitat conservation specialty plates must be displayed in accordance with § 32-5-98. Annual renewal of habitat conservation specialty plates must be in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

Section 2. That chapter 32-5 be amended with a NEW SECTION:

An administrative fee of ten dollars must be charged for habitat conservation specialty plates. The fee must be deposited into the license plate special revenue fund.

Section 3. That chapter 32-5 be amended with a NEW SECTION:

The habitat conservation specialty plate must be designed by the Department of Game, Fish and Parks and approved by the secretary of the Department of Revenue. The specialty plates must be reflectorized and designed to have a habitat conservation emblem placed on the plate. The habitat conservation emblem must also be designed by the Department of Game, Fish and Parks and approved by the secretary of the Department of Revenue. Habitat conservation specialty plates must be reissued on a three-year cycle. Any change to the design of these specialty plates must be implemented during the next plate reissue cycle.

Section 4. That chapter 32-5 be amended with a NEW SECTION:

The Department of Game, Fish and Parks, and its agents, may sell the habitat conservation emblems and are responsible for the administration of the habitat conservation emblem. Fees for the habitat conservation emblems must be set by rules promulgated by the Game, Fish and Parks Commission pursuant to chapter 1-26. Any revenue collected from the sale of the habitat conservation emblems must be deposited into the game, fish and parks fund for the purposes of habitat development and enhancement on public and private lands.

Section 5. That chapter 32-5 be amended with a NEW SECTION:

No emblems other than a habitat conservation emblem may be used on the habitat conservation specialty plate. The habitat conservation emblem may not be affixed to any other emblem specialty plate. Misuse of the habitat conservation emblems or use of unauthorized emblems or stickers on the habitat conservation emblem specialty plate is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Section 6. That chapter 32-5 be amended with a NEW SECTION:

Habitat conservation specialty plates must be transferred and replaced in the same manner as emblem specialty plates pursuant to §§ 32-5-171 to 32-5-173, inclusive.

Section 7. This Act is effective March 1, 2025.