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Appropriations committee refers $825 million corrections construction bill to floor after heavy testimony
Summary
The joint appropriations committee voted to send House Bill 1025 — an $825 million request to build a multi‑custody men's correctional facility near Lincoln County — to the floor without recommendation after protracted testimony from corrections officials, contractors and opponents.
House Bill 1025 asks the Legislature to authorize construction of a new, multi‑custody men's correctional facility in Lincoln County and to transfer up to $763 million in spending authority from the Incarceration Construction Fund; the bill also proposes a one‑time transfer of $182 million (split between general fund and budget reserve) into that fund to fully finance the project.
Why it matters: The measure is the largest single capital proposal heard by joint appropriations during the session. If enacted, it will direct major one‑time state resources and shape corrections capacity, county jail pressures and treatment programming for years.
Sponsor and DOC position: Ryan Bruner (Governor’s office) and Secretary Kelly Wasco (Department of Corrections) told the committee the existing South Dakota State Penitentiary is unsafe and overcrowded and lacks adequate space for modern rehabilitation programming. They said a multi‑custody facility near Sioux Falls…
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