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.…