The final week of legislative session got underway on Monday without a major decision made.   Last week, State Economist Jim Terwilliger and LRC Chief Fiscal Analyst Fred Schoenfeld presented appropriators with an updated picture of state revenue and a decision was expected on which set of projections to adopt. Appropriators, however, postponed the decision […]

The bipartisan bill aimed at enhancing economic development in South Dakota had its first hearing on Monday in front of the House State Affairs committee.   Senate Bill 235 would create the Building South Dakota fund, which would in turn establish the Workforce Education fund.   Thirty percent of the dollars in the Building S.D.

Members of the House of Representatives voted 52-17 to pass Senate Bill 194, which extends the provision allowing school districts to use capital outlay funds for certain insurance, energy, utilities and motor fuel costs to 2018.   “This is clearly an essential bridge as we work through these troubling economic times,” Rep. Scott Ecklund (25)

A lengthy debate on the House floor didn’t halt the progress of an omnibus economic development bill, which would provide funding for certain K-12 education programs.   Representatives passed Senate Bill 235, which would create the Building South Dakota fund, on a 56-13 vote. The bill received the 2/3 support it required.   Thirty percent

House of Representatives passed amended versions of property tax levy bills for the general and special education funds back to the Senate.   Amendments to the bills inflated their land valuation, but left levy rates the same as passed by House Appropriations committee members.   Senate Bill 28 adjusts property tax levies for the general fund of

Sentinel bill sent to Gov.   On a 40-19 vote, Representatives sent an amended version of House Bill 1087, which would allow school employees and volunteers to carry guns in and on school grounds, to its final step for approval.   Gov. Dennis Daugaard will have the option to sign the bill into law or

Two bills were deferred to the 41st day by the Senate Education committee on Thursday, which marked the final time this session the committee will hold bill hearings.   Under ‘100’ option falls in close vote   Committee members voted 4-3 to defer House Bill 1213 to the 41st day.   HB 1213 called for

Week eight marked the penultimate week of the 88th legislative session and, like the second to last episode of a season in a TV series, it set up plenty of intriguing plots with guns in schools, funding and new developments left to be decided by legislators.   Senators send Sentinel bill back to House   Senators passed an

House Education committee members deferred four K-12 related funding bills to the House Appropriations committee on Wednesday, which marked the committee’s last time discussing bills.   SPED levy bill discussed   Committee members unanimously voted to defer Senate Bill 15, which adjusts property tax levies for the special education fund of a school district and