PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The Appropriations Committee of the South Dakota legislature is meeting before the state of the 2020 session.

It’s in an attempt to get a jump start on agency budget hearings. They held meetings with the so called big five departments last month.

Committee member, Representative Jean Hunhoff of Yankton says they hope to at least set priorities.

Hunhoff says they want to hear about follow through on what departments are spending.

The committee set up subgroups to work with specific departments. Hunhoff says she is getting more information from her assigned department.

The budget is normally the last bill passed as the session winds up in March.