PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The joint Appropriations Committee of the South Dakota legislature held three days of hearings in Pierre last week.

Committee member, Representative Jean Hunhoff of Yankton says they decided to get a jump on the budget process.

Hunhoff says they heard from the largest state departments.

Hunhoff says the committee then appointed sub groups to work closely with each department on their budget proposal.

The Appropriations Committee works through the budget and presents it as the final bill of the session each March.