PIERRE, S.D.(SDBA)- A South Dakota legislative committee recommends Tuesday that the Joint Appropriations Committee consider a bill that would allocate an additional $13 million to the Sanford Underground Research facility in the Black Hills.

Proponents told the Senate Commerce and Energy Committee that Senate Bill 35 is needed to expand room for underground physics experiments.

The money would be used to construct two caverns.

Rapid City businessman Casey Peterson.

However, Morgan Gruebele (Groob-lee) with the Noem Administration’s Bureau of Finance and Management cautioned legislators about passing the measure.

The measure passed the committee on a 9 to 0 vote with a favorable recommendation. SB 35 now goes to the Joint Appropriations Committee for its consideration.