Make an appropriation for costs related to emergencies and disasters impacting the state and to declare an emergency.
Summary
House Bill 1033 makes a one-time appropriation of $4,951,260 from South Dakota’s general fund into the special emergency and disaster special revenue fund. The money is designated for costs related to any emergency or disaster, as those terms are defined in state law, that impacts the state. The bill also authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Public Safety to approve vouchers for expenditures under the act, with the state auditor issuing warrants for payment.
The bill is an emergency measure, meaning it takes effect immediately upon passage and approval rather than waiting for the normal effective date. It is framed as necessary for the support of state government and existing public institutions, and it is limited in scope to funding emergency and disaster-related costs rather than creating a new program or changing eligibility rules.
Impact
HB1033 affects state finances by transferring general fund dollars into the emergency and disaster special revenue fund, increasing the state’s available resources for response and recovery costs tied to emergencies or disasters. It does not amend substantive emergency-management statutes, but it reinforces the existing statutory framework in § 34-48A-1 by funding costs associated with those defined events. The bill also assigns administrative approval authority to the Department of Public Safety and payment processing to the state auditor, affecting how these appropriated funds are disbursed.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong, unanimous support for the bill in both chambers, with all recorded votes passing 15-0, 68-0, and 35-0. There is no committee transcript indicating debate or opposition, and the absence of dissent suggests broad bipartisan agreement that the appropriation was needed to address emergency and disaster costs. Overall, the bill appears to have been viewed as a routine and noncontroversial funding measure.
Contention
There is little visible contention in the record. The only potential policy question is the size and use of the $4.95 million general fund appropriation and the discretion given to the Department of Public Safety to approve expenditures, but no recorded votes or transcripts show opposition on those grounds. Because the bill is narrowly focused on emergency and disaster funding, it does not appear to have raised disputes over eligibility, program design, or statutory change.