PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Having to ask legislative permission to spend each federal grant could be a problem for the South Dakota Department of Transportation.

Department Secretary Joel Jundt briefed the Transportation Board about the potential problems they could face if HB1281, passed at the end of the legislative session becomes law.

The bill would require all state programs that are federally funded to be approved by the Joint Committee on Appropriations. Jundt says Transportation wasn’t directly targeted by the bill.

Jundt says they have to get some clarification because many federal grant applications have to be submitted soon.

Legislators may have to deal with the bill again when they return to Pierre today.