RAPID CITY, S.D. – South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden is in the Black Hills today as part of his “Open for Opportunity” tour.
Friday morning, the Governor visited Box Elder, where he signed Senate Bill 6 at Vandenberg Elementary School.
SB6 is the bill to provide infrastructure funding for the Douglas School District, in anticipation of the arrival of the B-21 Raider at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
The bill would move $15 million from the general fund to the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority for grants to support projects involved with the Base expansion.
In all, the Governor signed four total military and veterans bills into law.
“As Governor, my goal is to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free — and that wouldn’t be possible without all of our brave men and women in uniform,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “These bills are a sign of support for all of our dedicated military members and the veterans who gave so much for us. Because of their sacrifices, our nation remains the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
Governor Rhoden signed the following four military and veterans bills into law:
- SB 6 authorizes a loan from the South Dakota housing infrastructure fund to a school district adjoining a federal military installation for the construction or expansion of a school building;
- HB 1161 allows additional forms to verify military service for a veteran designation on a commercial driver license or commercial learner’s permit;
- HB 1188 allows nonresident military members to purchase three-day temporary nonresident waterfowl licenses; and
- HB 1238 establishes protections for a veteran seeking assistance in a veterans’ benefit matter.
Following his visit to Vandenberg Elementary, Rhoden headed to Ellsworth Air Force Base and the South Dakota National Guard Army Aviation Center, where he signed an executive order that supports wildland fire efforts.
Friday afternoon, Rhoden toured the Homeslice Media Group studios and participated in a discussion with the Homeslice based Rapid City Post digital newspaper.
