House lawmakers will wait another legislative day before voting on an update to a contentious bill from last year.
The bill sets up a grant and loan fund for housing infrastructure.
The Senate bill has sailed through the state legislature, making it to the House floor in the opening weeks of legislative session.
It appropriates $150 million of state general funds and $50 million of federal covid relief dollars. Some say it’s the largest one-time package state lawmakers have ever spent. Lawmakers passed the bill last year, but there was confusion how to use the dollars.
Optimists hoped to get the bill on the governor’s desk by the end of the second week of session. That would allow South Dakota Housing to set up the grant and loan process ahead of construction season.
House lawmakers were set to vote on the bill Friday afternoon. But some opposed to it used a legislative maneuver to delay the for a legislative day.
“They always say nothing’s ever dead in Pierre,” said Rep. Marty Overweg.
The Republican from New Holland is opposed to the bill. He worries the money will only help a few people looking to build homes.
“I believe taxes are important, but taxes should be spent on the greater good,” Overweg said. “I would like to see the $150 million get divided out among the counties for roads, infrastructures, bridges. Stuff that everybody uses.”
The influx of people to the state has put pressure on the housing market—specifically, rural communities. Seventy percent of the money will go to towns other than Rapid City and Sioux Falls.
Rep. Rodger Chase sponsored the bill both years. He’s frustrated.
“We’ve waited so long. This has been one of the most debated bills over the last 10 months. It’s important to get this done," Chase said. "I gave my word to people that were looking for this funding, that were needing this funding to move forward, that we would get it done in an expedited fashion.”
He said some House lawmakers are holding the bill up intentionally. About 20 are opposed to the project. The bill needs a 2/3 majority to pass. House lawmakers will vote on the bill Monday afternoon.
