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Appropriations committee backs $4.95 million to cover state emergency, disaster costs
Summary
The Joint Committee on Appropriations voted to give House Bill 1033 a "do pass" recommendation, approving a $4,951,260 general-fund appropriation to the state's emergency and disaster fund to cover FEMA non‑federal shares, hazard mitigation shares and unreimbursable incident costs.
The Joint Committee on Appropriations on the South Dakota Legislature voted to give House Bill 1033 a "do pass" recommendation after hearing from Department of Public Safety officials on the need to replenish the state emergency and disaster fund.
The bill would appropriate $4,951,260 from the general fund to the emergency and disaster fund. Christy Turman, deputy cabinet secretary for the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, told the committee the appropriation is intended to cover three categories of costs: the state's non‑federal share on FEMA recovery projects, the state share of hazard mitigation projects, and any emergency costs that are not reimbursable by FEMA. "The bill appropriates $4,951,260 from the general fund to the emergency and disaster fund," Turman said.
Why it matters: Turman said the fund can run a negative balance under current law and that, as of June 30, 2024, the fund balance stood at a negative $8,326,358. Committee members pressed DPS staff for details on what is driving the shortfall; staff said a majority of the new need is related to flooding in June 2024, which the department estimated at roughly $3,469,750 in response and anticipated FEMA project worksheet costs.
Committee discussion focused on the mechanics of long‑running disaster project accounting and why older disasters can remain open for years. Angie Lemieux, director of administrative services for public safety, explained that project worksheets can change in scope and price, triggering additional reviews and adjustments to the state's projected share. "We look at what projects are out there and if they've changed in price and then what we expect our state share to be for that," Lemieux said.
Representative Moore asked whether the emergency and disaster fund is used for routine equipment purchases; Turman replied the fund is for incidents that require committing state resources, such as wildfires or floods. Senators and representatives then moved to a vote: Senator Bill Howard moved a "do pass" recommendation; the motion was seconded. The roll call recorded 15 yeas and 3 excused; the bill received a do pass recommendation and will move to the full Legislature.
Details and limits: DPS told the committee it annually reviews anticipated expenditures and reimbursements and returns to appropriators when expected reimbursements and projected expenses create a negative balance. Committee members asked for and were promised a more detailed worksheet showing changes from the prior year for long‑open disasters.
The committee action sends HB 1033 to the floor with a favorable recommendation from appropriations.
