The engrossed version dramatically simplifies the bill by removing detailed grant eligibility formulas based on population size and project type, instead splitting the $10,000,000 appropriation into two flat allocations ($2,000,000 for water/wastewater/storm water projects and $8,000,000 for riparian buffer initiatives) with minimal eligibility criteria, which NARROWS and REDIRECTS the bill from a complex needs-based funding system to a more straightforward categorical grant program.
26.982.13 26.982.14 101st Legislative Session 222 2026 South Dakota Legislature Senate Bill 222 SENATE APPROPRIATIONS ENGROSSED Introduced by: Senator Karr Underscores indicate new language. Overstrikes indicate deleted language. An Act to make an appropriation for eligible water, wastewater, storm water, and 1 nonpoint source riparian buffer initiative projects and to declare an emergency. 2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA: 3 Section 1. There is appropriated $10,000,000 from the general fund, to the Department of 4 Agriculture and Natural Resources, for the purpose of providing grants for eligible water, 5 wastewater, storm water, and nonpoint source projects in accordance with the guidance 6 as provided in section 5 2 of this Act. 7 6 Section 2. Of the amount appropriated in section 1 of this Act, $2,000,000 is allocated for 7 eligible water, wastewater, and storm water projects. To be eligible for funding, funding from this 8 allocation, projects must go through the Department of Agriculture 8 and Natural Resources be approved by way of the Board of Water and Natural Resources and be 9 included 9 in the state water plan. The following funding terms apply to eligible projects under 10 Of the amount appropriated in section 1 of this Act: 10 (1) Eligible applicants may receive a grant award limited to a per person project cost Act, $8,000,000 is allocated for statewide 11 based on the population served by the system or municipality, using the 2020 riparian buffer initiative projects. 12 federal census numbers or system service numbers, as determined by the board. 13 The grant limit must apply to each applicant, regardless of the project cost or the 14 number of projects in need of funding, and must be determined as follows: 15 (a) Systems or municipalities with service populations of up to one thousand 16 may receive up to an eighty percent grant, with a maximum project cost 17 for determining the grant amount limited to nine thousand dollars per 18 person per applicant for all eligible projects considered for grants; 19 (b) Systems or municipalities with service populations with at least one 20 thousand and up to two thousand five hundred may receive up to a fifty 21 percent grant with a maximum project cost for determining the grant 22 amount limited to seven thousand dollars per person per applicant for all 23 eligible projects considered for grants; and 24 (c) Systems or municipalities with service populations greater than two 25 thousand five hundred may receive a thirty percent grant with a maximum 26 26.982.13 2 222 Underscores indicate new language. Overstrikes indicate deleted language. project cost for determining the grant amount limited to three thousand 1 dollars per person per applicant for all eligible projects considered for 2 grants; 3 (2) Projects addressing regionalization and consolidation, environmental and health 4 regulatory compliance issues, drought resiliency, water availability, nonpoint 5 source improvements, or other significant environmental issues may receive 6 funding above the grant limits in this Act. The department shall evaluate projects 7 and make recommendations to the board for funding based on need and positive 8 long-term benefits of the project; and 9 (3) Eligible engineering studies for projects with long term drought resiliency, drinking 10 water availability issues, or water or wastewater regionalization projects may be 11 awarded a grant in an amount up to one hundred percent of the study cost. 12 The board has discretion to deny funding for lake dredging and projects that do 13 not align with cost effective regionalization. 14 Section 3. The secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources shall 15 13 approve vouchers and the state auditor shall draw warrants to pay expenditures authorized 16 14 by this Act. 17 15 Section 4. Any amounts appropriated in this Act not lawfully expended shall revert in 18 16 accordance with the procedures prescribed in chapter 4-8. 19 17 Section 5. Whereas, this Act is necessary for the support of the state government and its 20 18 existing public institutions, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, and this Act shall be in 21 19 full force and effect from and after its passage and approval. 22 20