SB76 authorizes loans from the South Dakota Housing Infrastructure Fund for airport infrastructure projects. The bill makes airports eligible for zero-interest, repayable loans of up to $15 million, with the money coming from the Housing Infrastructure Fund and being repaid to that fund.
The South Dakota State Senate passed SB76 on February 23, 2026 by a vote of 22 to 11. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this bill expands government involvement in economic development beyond its proper role—and neither housing nor airport infrastructure projects are the proper role of government. Additionally, SB76 imposes government favoritism of certain local projects with public financing rather than allowing infrastructure needs to be met through the free market and private loans. Government-directed financing distorts the free market, increases taxpayers' exposure to politically selected projects, and undermines fiscal responsibility.
