The Governor of South Dakota signed into law H.B. 1042 allowing the state to use private collection agencies and attorneys to collect on delinquent accounts. This new practice will be effective July 1, 2004. The secretary of revenue will oversee the process and he or she will make the determination as to when collection efforts by the state have failed. The new law indicates that those employed by the state will work on a contingent fee basis in their collection efforts. (House Bill 1042, Laws 2004.)