SD House approved funding for new men’s prison; bill now goes to Gov Noem
KWAT
March 1, 2024
PIERRE, S.D.–The South Dakota House on Thursday passed a bill appropriating over a quarter of a billion dollars in state and federal funds toward the construction of a new men’s prison.
The bill passed on a vote of 58 to 11. The measure now goes to Gov. Kristi Noem for her signature.
House sponsor, Republican Representative Tony Venhuizen from Sioux Falls, said the bill was for putting money aside for a facility that could cost over $700 million.
The prison would be built in rural Lincoln County between Harrisburg and Canton.
However, some legislators were concerned about taking money from the state’s “rainy day” fund and putting it in special prison construction fund. They were also concerned about rising costs.
