SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Site work started on Wednesday on the location of the proposed men’s prison in Lincoln County.
Republican Sen. Kevin Jensen said during the legislature’s Joint Committee on Appropriations that approved Senate Bill 49 in 2024, the actual site work was not authorized. He said during a discussion Wednesday with DOC officials he received texts about the demolition of a barn, trees and other buildings at the planned men’s prison site. He asked the DOC what provided the authority for that site work and was told it was SB49.
Committee member Republican Tony Venhuizen said Jensen is correct, SB49 did not authorize site work to start, but House Bill 1017 passed “overwhelmingly” in 2023, did authorize that site work to start.
Venhuizen said the site preparation that is going on now was authorized in HB1017.
Jensen played a recording of Venhuizen’s House testimony on SB49 during the committee meeting. Jensen said that had more lawmakers realized what they were voting for, they would not have voted in favor of SB49.
“I would like to clarify for just a minute. There have been two bills passed on this topic, at least,” Venhuizen said in response to Jensen’s comments.
Venhuizen said SB49 transferred money into a construction fund. HB1017 authorized more action, he said.
Venhuizen read from HB107 that says “Department of Corrections is hereby authorized to contract for the planning and site preparation of a prison facility for offenders committed to the Department of Corrections, including architectural services, engineering services, and other services as may be required to accomplish the project.”