Senate approves $8.2 million for Richmond Lake Dam replacement, 28–2; bill headed to governor

The South Dakota Senate on March 30 adopted a conference committee report on Senate Bill 121 D, transferring $8,200,000 from the unclaimed-property trust fund to replace Richmond Lake Dam and its spillway and declaring an emergency so contractors can begin work immediately.

The measure, advanced on a motion by Senator Ernie Otten, passed by a recorded count of 28 yeas, 2 nays and 5 excused. The Senate president declared the motion carried and the report adopted; the bill was delivered to the governor for approval and members were invited to a signing after adjournment.

Why it matters: Senate supporters said the dam is leaking and poses a public-safety risk to downstream communities. "We finally now down to the point where we can actually finish something, for the citizens up in the Aberdeen area," said Senator Ernie Otten, the conference-committee co-chair, who described installing a concrete core to stop leakage and said the committee identified the $8.2 million figure. Senator Lapke said, "The best time to do it was maybe 5 years ago, but the second best time to do it is right now," urging colleagues to act to prevent a catastrophic failure.

Debate focused on funding source and timing. Senator Carly said she supported the project for safety reasons but opposed taking the money from the unclaimed-property trust, arguing the state had committed to limit deposits from that fund and that other budget options should have been used. "I don't think we should be pulling this from unclaimed property," Carly said, noting prior legislation and a voter commitment that constrained use of the fund. Senator Chris Carr said he would support the appropriation now to prevent loss of life but pledged to file legislation next year to backfill the trust fund.

Several senators described practical reasons to approve the funding immediately. Senator Perry said bids had been submitted and contractors were positioned to begin; approving the funds would avoid losing the current bidder and the guaranteed price. Senator Deibert, who said he initially had reservations, described reviewing bid materials and consulting the state engineer and Department of Game, Fish and Parks; after that review he said he would support the measure.

The conference-committee report amended SB 121 to the D-engrossed version authorizing the appropriation and emergency clause for the replacement of Richmond Lake Dam and spillway. The secretary announced the enrolled bill was delivered to the governor at 2:50:50 p.m. on March 30, 2026. The presiding officer also announced that the governor would sign SB 121 in his office after the Senate adjourned.

The Senate adjourned sine die following the vote.

Sources and scope: The reporting is based solely on the Senate floor transcript. Quantitative figures discussed on the floor included the $8,200,000 appropriation and committee references to roughly $154,000,000 in the unclaimed-property fund and a resulting balance of about $146,000,000 after the appropriation; those fund balances were presented on the floor by Senator Otten. A two-thirds majority was required because the measure contains an appropriation and an emergency clause; the Senate reported it met that threshold with 28 affirmative votes.