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Commissioners urge attention to state 9-1-1 funding bill as session progresses
Summary
Commissioners reviewed legislative items affecting counties, highlighted Senate Bill 37 (9-1-1 funding) and noted the prior year’s House Bill 1092 increased the 9-1-1 surcharge; they encouraged local contact with legislators and participation in county legislative updates.
County commissioners gave a summary of state legislation affecting county operations and urged colleagues and residents to monitor several bills in the legislative session, with particular attention to 9-1-1 funding.
Commissioner Johnson briefed the board on a Capitol-watch summary and encouraged concise, targeted contacts with legislators. Commissioner Johnson and other commissioners discussed Senate Bill 37, which they said would lift the sunset on the increased 9-1-1 surcharge; he reported the bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee (6–1) and the full Senate (33–2) and was scheduled next for the House Judiciary Committee.
Commissioners referenced last year’s House Bill 1092, which raised the 9-1-1 surcharge from $1.25 to $2 and generated roughly $7.9 million annually for the state 9-1-1 system. They asked colleagues to watch committee calendars, participate in county legislative Zoom updates, and contact legislators with brief comments if they wish to support or oppose measures that affect county operations.
The board also noted a weekly legislative update distributed by the South Dakota Association of Counties and a county-hosted “Capitol watch” email that lists bills affecting counties. No formal county positions or motions on the bills were recorded in the meeting minutes.
