South Dakota House Bill 1048 (2022) - Summary in Simple Terms

What is this bill about?
This bill is about giving money to the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks to help them expand Custer State Park, which is a well-known state park in South Dakota.

Key Points of the Bill

1. Funding:
The state is providing almost $9.9 million from its general fund to the Department of Game, Fish and Parks. This money will specifically be used to make Custer State Park larger.

2. Other Money Sources:
Besides the state funds, the department can also accept gifts, donations, or any other money to help with the park expansion. Any money they get from these sources will also be used for this purpose.

3. Spending Oversight:
The secretary of the Department of Game, Fish and Parks will approve bills and expenses related to this project, and the state auditor will handle payments. This means there will be controls to make sure the money is spent properly.

4. Unused Money:
If some of the money isn't spent or promised for spending by the project, it will be returned to the state according to state rules.

Emergency Declaration:
The bill states that this is an emergency measure, meaning that it should take effect immediately after it’s approved. This usually happens when something is urgent or very important for the state’s operations.

Why does this matter?

Expanding Custer State Park means more land and resources to preserve nature, enhance wildlife habitat, and provide better recreational spaces for visitors. This bill makes sure the needed money is available to make this possible quickly.