FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 24, 2026

Contact: Josie Harms

Gov. Rhoden Signs Airport Expansion Bill into Law

Signs Five Other Open for Opportunity Bills

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden signed six Open for Opportunity bills into law, including SB 76, which supports the expansion of the Sioux Falls and Rapid City airports.

“South Dakota is Open for Opportunity! We’ve been growing in incredible ways, and expanding our airports is essential to keep that momentum going,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “More gates, more flights, and more destinations means more visitors, more business, and more opportunity. It’s a win for South Dakotans across our entire state, and it will lead to an even stronger future.”

SB 76 uses existing dollars to provide low-interest loans that will help support expansion efforts at both airports. Governor Rhoden signed SB 76 at the Rapid City Airport. You can find photos of the signing here and here.

Governor Rhoden also signed the following five bills:

• SB 37 makes appropriations for water and environmental purposes and declares an emergency;
• SB 135 protects residents from increased utility costs and utility shortages caused by data centers and clarifies authority to regulate data centers;
• SB 204 revises certain criteria for loans from the South Dakota housing infrastructure fund;
• SB 222 makes an appropriation for eligible water, wastewater, storm water, and riparian buffer initiative projects and declares an emergency; and
• HB 1038 allows the Public Utilities Commission to assess actual costs to data centers that are customers of public utilities.

Governor Rhoden has signed 210 bills into law and vetoed one this legislative session.

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