House Bill 1080 has been approved and sent to South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard for his signature. The Governor requested the funding in the bill for a design and study for an upgrade at the Animal Disease and Diagnostic Lab at SDSU. South Dakota Stock Grower’s Association Executive Director Silvia Christen says her group and other ag organizations support the measure.

She says the bill calls for spending $ 1.5 million to upgrade the lab and do the study necessary to help achieve that purpose.

Christen says many livestock producers already have contributed money to the cause through specific state fees.

The House earlier approved the legislation on a 66 to 2 vote while the Senate gave unanimous approval on a 35 to 0 vote.