Budget & Appropriations

Funds the state government's basic operations and schools.

This is a general state appropriations bill that allocates funding for the ordinary expenses of legislative, judicial, and executive departments, state institutions, public debt interest, and common schools for fiscal year 2027. The bill contains detailed budget line items and funding amounts for various government offices and programs, including the Governor's Office, Bureau of Finance and Management, economic development programs, and employee compensation adjustments.

Updates the state budget for 2026.

This bill revises the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026 by adjusting budget line items across various state departments and agencies. It makes numerous changes to operating expenses, personal services, and federal funds allocations for departments including Governor's Office, Finance and Management, Revenue, Agriculture, Tourism, Social Services, Health, Education, Public Safety, and Board of Regents. The changes involve increasing or decreasing specific dollar amounts in existing budget categories.

Provides funding for nonprofits that help crime victims.

This bill appropriates $8,000,000 from the general fund to the Department of Public Safety to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that assist victims of child abuse/neglect, domestic violence, sexual assault, and commercial sexual exploitation/trafficking. The grants can fund emergency services, counseling, crisis lines, case management, sexual assault nurse examiners, and child advocacy centers. Grants cannot establish new programs or fund legal services. Recipients must provide annual reports on services delivered.

Moves money from savings accounts to cover immediate state expenses.

This bill transfers $56,153,769 from the budget reserve fund to the general fund and $41,874,757 from the general revenue replacement fund to the general fund. The bill includes an emergency clause making it effective immediately upon passage.

Allows housing funds to be used for airport construction loans.

This bill transfers unobligated money from the South Dakota housing infrastructure fund to the revolving economic development and initiative fund. It authorizes the Board of Economic Development to provide zero-interest, unsecured loans up to $15 million to airport owners/operators in metropolitan areas with populations between 125,000-275,000+ for airport infrastructure projects. The loans have 20-year amortization with equal annual payments, first payment due one year after funding, and must be closed by June 30, 2030. Municipal loans are exempt from certain debt limitation chapters but subject to constitutional municipal debt limits.

Funds new manufacturing labs and classrooms at Southeast Technical College.

This bill appropriates $6,000,000 from the general fund to the South Dakota Board of Technical Education to construct an advanced manufacturing laboratory space and classrooms at Southeast Technical College. The appropriation is contingent upon the college receiving $18,000,000 from other sources (gifts, grants, donations) and no bonds being issued for the project. The bill designates administrative oversight to the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration and includes standard appropriation procedures for voucher approval and fund reversion.

Provides emergency grants for volunteer fire departments to buy safety equipment.

This bill appropriates $5 million from the general fund to the Department of Public Safety to provide grants for volunteer fire departments to purchase personal protective equipment for firefighters. The grants will be awarded chronologically with priority given to departments showing greatest need. Any unspent funds revert by June 30, 2030.

Funds a new Highway Patrol airplane and equipment.

This bill appropriates $5,000,000 from the general fund to the Department of Public Safety for purchasing a new Highway Patrol airplane, mission equipment, and installation of that equipment. The bill includes standard appropriation procedures for voucher approval and fund reversion, and declares an emergency for immediate effectiveness.

Funds construction of a trades training center at Lake Area Technical College.

This bill appropriates $5.2 million from the general fund to the South Dakota Board of Technical Education to construct, complete, and equip a trades center at Lake Area Technical College. The funding is contingent upon the college matching the state appropriation with gifts, grants, donations, or other sources. The bill prohibits issuing bonds for the project and places construction oversight under the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration. It includes standard appropriation language for voucher approval and fund reversion procedures, and declares an emergency for immediate implementation.

Provides emergency funding for a therapy center for students in Brown County.

This bill appropriates $2,000,000 from the general fund to the Department of Corrections to construct, complete, and equip a regional juvenile corrections center in Brown County. The appropriation includes funding for heating, plumbing, water, sewer, electric facilities, architectural and engineering services, and other required services. The Bureau of Human Resources and Administration will supervise the project, and the bill includes standard provisions for voucher approval and fund reversion procedures.

Provides emergency funding for tax refunds to elderly and disabled residents.

This bill appropriates $425,000 from the general fund to the Department of Revenue to provide tax refunds to elderly persons and persons with disabilities for real property tax and sales tax under existing chapters 10-18A and 10-45A. Up to $20,000 of the appropriation may be used for administration. The bill includes standard appropriation language regarding voucher approval, warrant drawing, fund reversion by June 30, 2027, and declares an emergency for immediate effect.

Funds construction of a new indoor sports facility at Dakota State University.

This bill appropriates $13,330,000 to the Board of Regents for the design and construction of an indoor athletics facility at Dakota State University's Beacom PREMIER Complex in Madison. The bill allows for cost adjustments up to 125% of the estimated amount due to inflation and regulatory changes, permits acceptance of external funding sources, and declares an emergency for immediate implementation.

Extends the deadline to spend money allocated for upgrading state computer systems.

This bill extends the deadline for unspent appropriations from the 2023 state enterprise resource planning (ERP) system modernization project to revert to the general fund from the standard reversion timeline to June 30, 2029.

Provides emergency funding to pay for major lawsuits against the state.

This bill appropriates $650,000 from the general fund to the extraordinary litigation fund for payment of eligible expenses under section 1-33-8.11. It establishes procedures for voucher approval and warrant drawing, includes standard reversion language for unused funds, and declares an emergency to make the appropriation effective immediately.

Provides emergency funding for state disasters and emergencies.

This bill appropriates $4,205,497 from the general fund to the special emergency and disaster special revenue fund for costs related to any emergency or disaster impacting the state. It designates the secretary of the Department of Public Safety to approve vouchers and includes an emergency clause for immediate effect.

Provides emergency funding to fight wildfires in the state.

This bill appropriates $2,652,561 from the general fund to the state fire suppression special revenue fund for costs related to suppressing wildfires that impact the state. It establishes procedures for voucher approval and warrant drawing through the Department of Public Safety and state auditor, includes a reversion clause for unused funds, and declares an emergency for immediate implementation.

Funds an expansion to the pig barn at South Dakota State University.

This bill appropriates $1,720,000 to the Board of Regents for the design and construction of an addition to an existing swine wean-to-finish barn at South Dakota State University. The appropriation comes from other fund expenditure authority for donated moneys, and allows for cost adjustments up to 125% of the original estimate due to inflation or regulatory changes. The bill includes standard appropriation provisions for accepting additional funds, disclaiming state liability for any debt incurred, and administrative oversight.