ENTITLED An Act to make an appropriation for costs related to the Black Hills National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan revision process and to declare an emergency.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. There is hereby appropriated from the general fund the sum of $500,000 to the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, for the purpose of creating a one-to-one cost-share program, available to the five counties in this state that have Black Hills National Forest System lands within their boundaries, to allow for the counties' participation in the Black Hills National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan revision process.

The Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry, within the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, shall design and administer the cost-share program and provide grants to the eligible counties, provided no one county is entitled to receive more than fifty-five percent of the moneys allocated for the program.

Section 2. There is hereby appropriated from the general fund the sum of $450,000 to the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, for the purpose of employing one full-time-equivalent staff person, during the Black Hills National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan revision process.

The state forester shall fill the position, with the consent of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The person employed in accordance with this section shall:

(1) Participate with forest resource stakeholders, on behalf of the state forester; and

(2) Complete other duties as assigned, to facilitate the engagement of the state forester with the Black Hills National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan revision process.

Section 3. The secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources shall approve vouchers and the state auditor shall draw warrants to pay expenditures authorized by this Act.

Section 4. Any amounts appropriated in this Act not lawfully expended or obligated shall revert in accordance with the procedures prescribed in chapter 4-8.

Section 5. Whereas, this Act is necessary for the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, and this Act shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval.

An Act to make an appropriation for costs related to the Black Hills National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan revision process and to declare an emergency.

I certify that the attached Act originated in the: Senate as Bill No. 21 Secretary of the Senate President of the Senate Attest: Secretary of the Senate Speaker of the House Attest: Chief Clerk Senate Bill No. 21 File No. ____ Chapter No. ______

Received at this Executive Office this _____ day of _____________, 2023 at ____________M. By for the Governor The attached Act is hereby approved this ________ day of ______________, A.D., 2023 Governor STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, ss. Office of the Secretary of State Filed ____________, 2023 at _________ o'clock __M. Secretary of State By Asst. Secretary of State