South Dakota House advances dozens of bills including Richmond Lake dam funding, education and military-student special-education timelines

The South Dakota House of Representatives on Feb. 24 approved a package of bills spanning infrastructure, education and state fiscal policy, taking final votes on several appropriations and policy measures.

Several measures drew substantive floor discussion before passage. Representative Nordstrom, sponsor of the Richmond Lake Dam appropriation, described engineers' findings and the public-safety rationale: "the engineers that work for DANR ... have determined that that dam ... is the most at risk," and said the agency had counted "1,790 plus" residents who would be at risk in the event of failure. The House approved the Richmond Lake Dam replacement and related emergency appropriation, which the sponsor said addresses a dam classified as "high hazard."

Lawmakers also debated measures affecting education. Representative Reimer, sponsor of Senate Bill 109, said the bill would "adopt special education plans within 30 days of arrival of a military student" to limit disruption for highly mobile military families and support the state's competitiveness for incoming Department of Defense missions. Representative Mulder and other supporters emphasized that the measure gives schools a timeline for implementation rather than creating new federal requirements. Representative Reimer added that the timeline existed to reassure military families and Department of Defense stakeholders as arrivals increase around Ellsworth Air Force Base.

On compulsory attendance, sponsor Representative Reimer argued Senate Bill 71 would "enhance parental rights" and make it easier for some students to transition out of the traditional public-school setting. Opponents said the change was unnecessary because existing statute and local practice already addressed many of the…