WATERTOWN, S.D. (KXLG) – This week several interim committees met ahead of a possible special legislative session which is set to begin on Oct. 5th to discuss the use of Federal CARES Act funding. South Dakota received $1.2 billion dollars from the federal government to help pay for Coronavirus related costs.

Today the joint committee on appropriations will meet in Pierre to get an update on the COVID Funding and review reports given to them by each of those committees.

District 5 Representative Hugh Bartles sits on the Joint Appropriations Committee and he says there will be a lot of discussion at today’s meeting.

One big issue facing appropriators, is the deadline to utilize the federal dollars is Dec. 30, which is quickly approaching.

Bartles says the committee will be looking closely at providing grants for small South Dakota businesses.

The committee will be drafting a report for the legislature after today’s meeting.

Bartles says ultimately the decision on how to spend the money is not an easy one. and it must be done correctly.