Joint Appropriations advances disaster, wildfire, corrections and multiple university projects

The South Dakota Joint Committee on Appropriations on Feb. 6 advanced a slate of bills to cover emergency costs, support rural health recruitment and authorize university and National Guard facility projects.

Tyler Steen, division director for emergency services at the Department of Public Safety, told the committee the department seeks $4,205,497 in Senate Bill 67 to backfill the disaster fund for non‑federal shares of public assistance, hazard mitigation and other state disaster expenses. "This year, the department is requesting $4,205,497," Steen said, noting the fund has carried negative balances and that reimbursements and long project timelines mean the state routinely returns to the Legislature for appropriations.

Why it matters: The fund covers the state’s non‑federal share of FEMA public assistance and hazard mitigation grants (typically 10–15%), plus other disaster costs not reimbursed federally. Committee members pressed Steen about specific projects — including a Deadwood stream embankment and a Texas border mission — and whether those costs are eligible. Steen said public assistance grants and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) can both drive state expenditures, and clarified that some missions were state active duty and therefore charged to the disaster fund.

The committee voted to give SB 67 a "do‑pass" recommendation (18‑0).

Wildfire backfill and firefighting operations: Steen also presented Senate Bill 68, a $2,652,561 appropriation for wildfire suppression costs the department says were actual incurred expenses. He told members the fund showed a negative balance and significant accounts receivable, which reduced the appropriation need. Committee members asked about staffing and the definition of "severity" activations; Steen said the department employs roughly 40–44 full‑time staff and supplements with seasonals during fire season. SB 68 received a do‑pass recommendation (18‑0).

Rural health recruitment reimbursements: Emily Kiel, division director for healthcare access at the Department of Health, asked the committee to approve House Bill 10‑43, a roughly $1.3 million general‑fund request to reimburse health professionals who completed rural recruitment programs. Kiel said the request includes approximately $978,294 to reimburse physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners and $370,000 for facility recruitment reimbursements to support hospitals, nursing homes and other rural providers.

Kiel explained the payment formulas: physician payments are tied to twice the Sanford USD School of Medicine resident tuition over four years; mid‑level providers receive a payment based on twice recent PA‑program resident tuition. Proponents from state medical and nursing associations emphasized that workforce shortages make the programs valuable. The committee advanced the bill by unanimous voice and roll call (18‑0).

Corrections facility demolition: Department of Corrections Secretary Lamb presented House Bill 10‑46, a $683,000 general‑fund request to demolish the Pier Minimum Center once the new Rapid City women’s facility opens. Lamb cited multiple facility assessments (2015, 2021 and a 2025 condition assessment) that rated the building as divest or in poor condition and said continued investment was not cost‑effective. After brief questions about future land use and whether the police facility nearby is connected, the committee approved the bill 17‑1.

National Guard and readiness center funding: Adjutant General Mark Morrell asked for authorization for a $10.7 million Sturgis Readiness Center expansion (roughly $8.0M federal, $2.7M state) to meet federal‑state cost‑share requirements and expand training and equipment storage capacity. Morrell said the expansion would increase usable space to about 26,000 square feet and position the project favorably in the federal queue. The committee recommended do‑pass (18‑0).

Higher‑education projects (authority/other funds, not general funds): The committee considered several university construction authorizations, all presented as funded with federal, private or other funds and with plans for M&R funding:

- House Bill 11‑18 (SDSU swine education and research): Representative Jack Koviak and SDSU presenters asked for $1.72 million in expenditure authority (largely private donations and planning funds) to add wean‑to‑finish rooms so the campus can finish more of the roughly 3,600 pigs the unit produces annually. Proponents said added capacity will boost research opportunities and regional agricultural economic activity. Do‑pass (18‑0).

- House Bill 11‑37 (University of South Dakota indoor athletics facility): USD presented authority for a 105,000‑sq. ft. indoor field house and said it has raised approximately $42.5 million to date and seeks $40 million in expenditure authority for construction; USD emphasized no general funds or state M&R are requested. Committee advanced the bill (18‑0).

- Senate Bill 117 (SDSU on‑campus soccer venue): SDSU requested authorization for a roughly $5.04 million on‑campus soccer venue funded by private fundraising; presenters said maintenance and repair will be supported by facility operating funds and targeted donations. Committee approved the bill (17‑0 with one absent).

- Senate Bill 116 (Dakota State indoor athletics facility): Dakota State presented an amended bill that includes authority to coordinate relocation of a National Guard compound and storage facilities; DSU staff said the project will be entirely privately funded with an M&R endowment. The committee adopted the amendment and recommended do‑pass on the amended bill (17‑0 with one absent).

Votes at a glance: The committee recorded do‑pass recommendations or approvals on the bills heard (committee roll calls in each case): SB 67 (18‑0), SB 68 (18‑0), HB 10‑43 (18‑0), HB 10‑46 (17‑1), HB 10‑41 (18‑0), HB 11‑18 (18‑0), HB 11‑37 (18‑0), SB 117 (17‑0, 1 absent), SB 116 as amended (17‑0, 1 absent).

What’s next: Carriers were designated for each bill and bills will move to the floor or the next committee as appropriate. Committee members recognized emergency crews and student pages in the gallery before adjourning.

Direct quotes recorded during the hearing are attributable to the speakers listed in the committee record.