FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8th, 2026
Speaker Hansen, Speaker Pro Tempore Lems Advance Emergency Services Reforms to Support
Volunteer Fire Departments
Dell Rapids/Pierre, SD: Speaker Jon Hansen and Speaker Pro Tempore Karla Lems have been working
tirelessly preparing key pieces of legislation that will benefit all South Dakotans.
“South Dakota has a lot on its mind right now—property taxes, AI data centers, government spending
reforms, emergency services, education, energy, and more,” Speaker Hansen said. “In every decision we
make at the State House, we are committed to putting South Dakotans first.”
As part of that commitment, Speaker Hansen is introducing legislation to modernize fuel-use rules for
volunteer fire departments.
In many rural communities, volunteer fire departments are the first—and often only—line of defense
during emergencies. Their budgets are frequently stretched thin, and many departments rely on
fundraising simply to continue providing essential services.
Some state statutes impose unnecessary costs on first responders who are trying to do their jobs. One
such cost is the fuel tax applied to volunteer fire departments. State and local government maintenance
vehicles, buses, and federal vehicles are already exempt from this tax. Speaker Hansen’s proposal would
extend the same exemption to volunteer fire departments.
“We should do everything we can to help our volunteer fire departments continue providing critical
services to our communities,” Speaker Hansen said. “This proposal is one practical step in the right
direction.”
Speaker Pro Tempore Lems added, “This is about common sense and fairness. Volunteer fire
departments provide essential services, and the state should be supporting them, not adding
unnecessary costs.”
In addition, Speaker Hansen is introducing legislation to exempt one vehicle from registration fees for
active volunteer firefighters.
“Often, volunteer firefighters use their own trucks to respond to emergencies and receive no
reimbursement for fuel or wear and tear,” Speaker Hansen said. “This measure is a simple way to give
back to the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our communities.”
