South Dakota state lawmakers met in special session on Monday and amended the state budget to reflect $1.3 billion in federal pandemic relief aid. The Legislature also approved a resolution to direct the Governor to spend the remaining $597 million of the federal assistance with $400 million of that going to small businesses. South Dakota Farm Bureau Lobbyist Mike Held says that will help agriculture.

He says the pandemic has definitely negatively impacted agriculture so any assistance is needed for farmers and ranchers.

Held says now with the special session in the rear view mirror, they’re next focus is on the regular session set to begin January 12 of 2021. He says there will be two major ag issues to lead things off including taxation and the combining of two state departments.

Held says his group, Farm Bureau supports the combining of the Environment and Natural Resources with the Agriculture Department.