PIERRE (SDBA) – A bill that would enable Native American tribes to access a series of housing loans and grants created by the Legislature last year is one of the first bills that Gov. Kristi Noem will have a chance to sign this year.
The State Senate easily passed House Bill 1041, which would allow the state’s nine Native American tribes to apply and be eligible for housing grants and loans created by the Legislature last year.
“We set aside the $200 million dollars to be able to improve housing infrastructure in the state,” said Sen. Michael Rohl of Aberdeen, the bill’s prime sponsor. “Because of the wording in the legislation (last year), tribal South Dakotans were not able to apply to this program.”
Lawmakers last year passed a massive bill intended to help fund housing projects across the state, which did not give consideration to tribes in part because of their attachment to the federal government.
The bill enjoyed easy passage in both the House and Senate, but lawmakers did raise concerns about the legislation. Specifically, if there was any grant money left for tribes, and whether or not tribal sovereignty would make them good suitors for the loans. An amendment to require the tribes to waive sovereignty to get the loans failed.
“It is a good piece of legislation that fixes a mistake, that was an honest mistake,” Rohl continued.
HB 1075 will be one of the first bills to reach the Governor’s desk this session. So far, the Governor has not signed any bills.