Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Licensing Fees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Several self-funded licensing-board fee bills fail while one accountancy increase passes
Summary
The South Dakota Senate debated a package of self-funded licensing and inspection fee bills. Three commission fee increases failed to reach the required two-thirds majority; a separate accounting-board fee increase passed.
Pierre, S.D. — State senators on Feb. 11 debated a series of bills that would raise fees for self-funded professional boards and commissions, but three of the proposals failed to win the two-thirds vote required for final passage while one passed.
The measures would have allowed licensing boards or commissions to raise fees to cover operations, hire additional inspectors or staff, and fund new online systems for permitting and payments. Supporters said the increases were necessary to sustain operations and shorten inspection wait times; opponents voiced concern about fee levels and the required supermajority for passage.
Senate Bill 24, a plumbing commission fee bill, was presented by State Senator John Miskimins. Miskimins said the plumbing commission is self-funded and needs higher fees to maintain operations, add one inspector and deploy an online permitting and payment database. “The plumbing commission board of members voted unanimously in favor of supporting this bill,” Miskimins said. The chamber voted 21 yeas, 13 nays, 1 excused; the bill failed because it did not secure the two-thirds threshold.
Senate Bill 27, proposing higher licensing fees for cosmetology, aesthetics and nail technology, was sponsored by State Senator Steven Vilhauer. Vilhauer said the commission has not raised fees since 2007 and that the increases — described in committee as 28% to 50% depending on category — were supported by the regulated industry. The bill received 20 yeas and 14 nays and failed to meet the two-thirds requirement.
Senate Bill 31 would have allowed the South Dakota Electrical Commission to raise fees through the administrative rulemaking process. State Senator Jeff Kolbeck said increased revenue was needed to maintain operations, fill a vacant inspector position and create an online database; he said many homeowners now wait up to two weeks for inspections. The bill received 22 yeas, 12 nays and 1 excused and failed the two-thirds vote requirement.
By contrast, Senate Bill 32, which raises fees for the practice of accountancy, passed with the two-thirds majority required for final passage. Vilhauer spoke in favor of SB 32, and State Senator Shane Fish also urged support, saying the Board of Accountancy protects citizens by ensuring licensed, qualified accountants. The roll call showed 28 yeas, 6 nays and 1 excused; the president declared the bill passed.
Why it matters: These bills affect professionals and businesses who pay licensing, permit and inspection fees. Supporters said fee increases would fund staffing and technological upgrades to reduce wait times and improve service; opponents highlighted the financial impact on licensees and the gubernatorial requirement that fee bills meet a higher legislative threshold.
Next steps: Failed bills could be revisited in future sessions or amended and reintroduced; SB 32 will move forward as passed.
