The legislative session has implications beyond the walls of the state Capitol. The state Emergency Response Commission took time this week to assess the now completed legislative year.
The report was shared from the state Department of Ag and Natural Resources, and it highlighted the few environmental and emergency-oriented bills that passed this year.
Trish Kindt, DANR scientist manager, presented the report, beginning with Senate Bill 16.
“This bill also added a couple of water resources projects to the list of projects considered important to the general welfare to the citizens of the state," Kindt said. "The newer projects on the list include the Dakota Regional Mainstem System study, the Water Investment in Northern South Dakota project, and the Western Dakota Regional Water System study.”
Another bill, Senate Bill 53, spent money from the Biden-backed American Rescue Plan Act.
“The act appropriated over $89 million in federal fund expenditure authority for grants for eligible water and wastewater projects,” Kindt said.
Requirements for mining and mineral exploration, a hot topic in the Black Hills was also addressed by the board.
“Operations licensed after July 1, 2024, will be required to have a surety of $3,850 per acre of effected acre, or $300,000 for statewide mining,” Kindt said.
Gov. Kristi Noem has already signed all three of these bills into law.