State lawmakers are heading into the final week of legislative session.
There are a few outstanding topics lawmakers have left to consider.
The South Dakota constitution requires lawmakers pass a balanced budget.
Much of the additional one-time funding is going toward paying down two prisons in Rapid City and near Sioux Falls.
Republican Sen. Jean Hunhoff is a co-chair of the committee that puts together the state budget. She said each chamber has their differences, but they’re close.
“We just have to decide what’s the—my philosophy is what’s the return to the state? More importantly, what’s the return to the citizens of South Dakota?" Hunhoff said.
There are also some differences between chambers on a bill that regulates carbon pipelines.
Republican Rep. Will Mortenson is the House Majority Leader. He says he’s keeping a close eye on the Senate.
“And make sure there are true landowner protections, and true landowner benefits, and true fairness to the counties that come out of this whole process,” Mortenson said. “If there’s not, I’m not in.”
State lawmakers are also working on differences on a bill that that increases the deadline for voter registration from 15 to 30 days. Several county auditors oppose the idea.
Lawmakers have until March 7 to pass a budget and any outstanding legislation.
