MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — The South Dakota House of Representatives has passed a bill that would increase legislative oversight of how money is awarded and tracked through the state’s Future Fund.
House Bill 1286 would require the governor to provide reporting on Future Fund grants to multiple legislative committees, creating added guardrails for projects that exceed $1 million, according to bill language and legislative reporting.
The measure cleared the House on a 63-4 vote on Feb. 18, according to the official roll call. The bill received its first reading in the Senate on Feb. 19, legislative tracking information shows.
Supporters have described HB 1286 as a way to ensure lawmakers have clearer visibility into large awards and how grant dollars are used, while still allowing the state to pursue economic development and research-related projects through the Future Fund.
The bill’s lead sponsor is Rep. Marty Overweg, R-New Holland, and the sponsor list includes bipartisan support, according to legislative tracking.