An Act to require a study of radio communication services in the Piedmont Valley region and make an appropriation to perform the study and purchase digital vehicular repeater systems.

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

Section 1. The Department of Public Safety shall perform a study on radio communication services in the Piedmont Valley region, specifically to address gaps in radio coverage, network capacity, and migration to digital channels. Before June 30, 2025, the department shall issue a report with recommendations to the Legislature of measures the department and agencies in the Piedmont Valley can take to improve radio communication services in the area and ensure long-term, wide-ranging radio coverage.

Section 2. There is hereby appropriated from the general fund the sum of $100,000 to the Department of Public Safety for performing the study described in section 1 of this Act.

Section 3. There is also hereby appropriated from the general fund the sum of $250,000 to the Department of Public Safety to reimburse purchases of digital vehicular repeater systems by the Meade County Sheriff's Office, Sturgis Police Department, Summerset Police Department, Black Hawk Volunteer Fire Department, Piedmont Volunteer Fire Department, Sturgis Volunteer Fire Department, and Sturgis Ambulance Service. The department shall establish an application process for reimbursement.

Section 4. The secretary of the Department of Public Safety shall approve vouchers and the state auditor shall draw warrants to pay expenditures authorized by this Act.

Section 5. Any amounts appropriated in this Act not lawfully expended or obligated shall revert in accordance with the procedures prescribed in chapter 4-8.

Section 6. This Act is effective beginning June 30, 2024.