South Dakota § 49-34A-43 - Boundaries of assigned service areas--Contracts between utilities--Service areas within municipalities.
Full text of South Dakota South Dakota Codified Laws § 49-34A-43 — Boundaries of assigned service areas--Contracts between utilities--Service areas within municipalities., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 49-34A-43. Boundaries of assigned service areas--Contracts between utilities--Service areas within municipalities.
The boundaries of each assigned service area, outside of incorporated municipalities, shall be a line equidistant between the electric lines of adjacent electric utilities as they existed on March 21, 1975, provided that these boundaries may be modified by the Public Utilities Commission to take account of natural and other physical barriers which would make service of electric power and energy beyond those barriers economically impractical and shall be modified to take account of the contracts provided for in this section, and provided further that said boundaries shall also be modified by the commission to take into account orders entered before July 1, 1975, by the electric mediation board.
Contracts between electric utilities, which are executed on or before July 1, 1976, designating service areas and customers to be served by the electric utilities approved by the commission shall be valid and enforceable and shall be incorporated into the appropriate assigned service areas. The commission shall approve a contract if it finds that the contract will eliminate or avoid unnecessary duplication of facilities, will provide adequate electric service to all areas and customers affected and will promote the efficient and economical use and development of the electric systems of the contracting electric utilities.
Where a single electric utility provided electric service within a municipality on March 21, 1975, that entire municipality shall constitute a part of the assigned service area of that electric utility. Nothing contained in this chapter shall modify existing rights of municipalities to establish an electric utility. Where two or more electric utilities provided electric service in a municipality on March 21, 1975, the boundaries of the assigned service areas within an incorporated municipality shall be assigned pursuant to the equal distance concept as applied to lines located only within the municipal boundaries.
Source: SL 1965, ch 254, §§ 6, 7, 9; SDCL, §§ 49-41-5, 49-41-6, 49-41-8; SL 1970, ch 261, §§ 6, 7, 9; SL 1975, ch 283, §§ 34 to 36.
Source: official South Dakota text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About South Dakota § 49-34A-43
What does South Dakota Codified Laws § 49-34A-43 cover?
Section 49-34A-43 ("Boundaries of assigned service areas--Contracts between utilities--Service areas within municipalities.") is part of the South Dakota Codified Laws, the codified statutory law of South Dakota. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite South Dakota § 49-34A-43?
A common citation format is "South Dakota Codified Laws § 49-34A-43" (South Dakota). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of South Dakota law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the South Dakota official source linked on this page or consult a licensed South Dakota attorney.
How does South Dakota § 49-34A-43 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in South Dakota can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in South Dakota.