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Committee recommends $5 million one-time aid to victim services as federal VOCA funds remain short
Summary
The Joint Appropriations Committee voted 15–3 to give House Bill 12-21 a ‘do pass’ recommendation, a one-time $5 million general-fund package to help domestic violence, sexual assault and victim-service providers bridge shortfalls caused by reduced federal VOCA funding.
The Joint Appropriations Committee recommended passage of House Bill 12-21, a one-time general-fund appropriation of $5,000,000 to assist domestic-violence, sexual-assault and victim-service providers across South Dakota. The committee’s recommendation passed 15–3 and will advance to the full Legislature.
Representative Taylor Rayfelt, the bill’s sponsor, said the appropriation is a temporary measure to address “a band aid” funding gap as federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) awards decline and utilization of services has increased. “I am committed to discussing this with the governor’s office, with our congressional delegation,” Rayfelt said, adding that the bill is not intended as a long-term fix.
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