As I mentioned last week, we managed to work through a long subcommittee meeting and develop our revenue target. Now that this work is... SD Legislative Session at Half-Way Point

As I mentioned last week, we managed to work through a long subcommittee meeting and develop our revenue target. Now that this work is done, we have a number to balance against and get to work setting legislative priorities and matching those against available funds, all while still looking for any extra cuts to add to the mix. We’re halfway through session, and we have a lot of work behind us, but this is what Appropriations is all about: getting scarce revenue to the places where it is most needed. We believe that next year, revenue will increase by roughly 19 million dollars, leaving us 17.1 million to use to increase our legislative priorities while maintaining our fiscally responsible 10% reserve.

As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I do my best to make sure that we have the best fiscal information on bills before we make a final decision on them. I have requested fiscal notes on SB21 and SB117. If any other bills move through committee that could have a negative fiscal impact greater than the bill’s author had intended, I’ll do my best to get a Fiscal Note attached to it as well.

On the policy front, it’s been a mixed bag this week. SB111, the bill I mentioned last week passed out of committee 5-2, but then died on the Senate Floor 22-12. I was disappointed, but every conversation must begin somewhere.

My Move Over Awareness Month Resolution passed the Senate Transportation Committee Unanimously and then the Senate Floor Unanimously. This week SCR604 will be heard on the House Floor, as committee referral was waived, and Representatives Nancy York and Doug Post will be working to answer any questions on this simple no-cost resolution. I am also working on SB164, a bill to clarify the Move Over Law, as our current law has some grey areas. We are awaiting a Prison Impact Statement on this bill to determine any costs created by it.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in the South Dakota Senate. If you would like to contact me, email is still the best wiikfor4@gmail.com You may read all the bills online, see all agendas and schedules and listen to committees at sdlegislature.gov and watch and listen to floor debate at sd.net

Staff Writer

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