make an appropriation for eligible water, wastewater, storm water, and riparian buffer initiative projects and to declare an emergency.

SB 222 appropriates $10 million from South Dakota's general fund to the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources for grants supporting water, wastewater, storm water, and nonpoint source pollution projects. It directly affects municipalities and water systems serving residents, with funding calculated as a percentage of project costs based on population: up to 80% for systems serving ≤1,000 people (capped at $9,000/person), 50% for 1,001-2,500 people ($7,000/person), and 30% for >2,500 people ($3,000/person). Projects addressing regionalization, drought resiliency, or environmental compliance may exceed these caps, and engineering studies for long-term water issues can receive up to 100% funding. The bill declares an emergency to expedite funding and requires projects to align with the state water plan.