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Appropriations committee approves due‑pass for $5 million to backfill victim‑services gap
Summary
House Bill 12‑21 would provide a one‑time $5 million general‑fund appropriation to help victim‑services providers respond to a drop in federal VOCA funding. The committee gave the bill a due‑pass recommendation to the floor by voice and roll call (15 yeas, 3 nays).
The Joint Appropriations Committee voted to give House Bill 12‑21 a due‑pass recommendation to the Legislature after hearing testimony that federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds have declined while demand for domestic‑violence, sexual‑assault and child‑abuse services has grown.
Representative Taylor Rayfelt, the bill sponsor, told the committee HB 12‑21 is a one‑time $5,000,000 appropriation to assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and neglect. Rayfelt described the request as a “band‑aid” and said she intends to pursue a longer‑term solution with the governor’s office and the congressional delegation.
Multiple victim‑services providers and networks testified in support. Diana Miller of the South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault described a multi‑year fall in VOCA funding and distributed a packet summarizing 28 statewide agencies and recent funding shortfalls. Jennifer Staley of Children’s Home Society, which operates the largest domestic‑violence shelter in the state, said shelters are full, some have waiting lists, and the loss of federal reimbursements has forced difficult choices: “This is not a need that’s going away,” she said. Sarah Reinhart, executive director of Missouri Shores Domestic Violence Center, said the funding is “life‑saving” for victims and that without it agencies will have to cut staff and services.
The Bureau of Finance and Management opposed the bill, urging caution about repeatedly using state general funds to replace federal awards and outlining the federal grant history that led to the current shortfall. Brandy Meissner told the committee federal VOCA awards have been variable and that one‑time state appropriations only bridge gaps temporarily.
After questions about the size of the funding gap, grant administration and whether previous one‑time appropriations were fully distributed, Senator Vilhauer moved a do‑pass recommendation; Representative Muckey seconded. The committee recorded a roll‑call vote and the secretary announced 15 yeas and 3 nays; the chair directed HB 12‑21 to the floor with a due‑pass report.
Committee members and witnesses said they will continue work on long‑term funding options while the one‑time appropriation — if approved by the Legislature — would be distributed through the appropriate state agency and grant process.
