PIERRE- A South Dakota legislative committee has approved a bill that would allow an extra $35 million in bonds to be sold to finance expansions in programs at two of the state's four technical institutes.

The measure would increase the bonding limit for the technical schools from $105 million to $140 million. Bonds would be issued to expand education programs at Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls and Western Dakota Technical Institute in Rapid City.

Student fees are used to pay off the bonds.

Officials say the bond money will be used to expand auto body and diesel programs at Southeast Tech and to expand construction technology, agricultural science and diesel programs at Western Dakota Tech.

The Education Committee voted unanimously Friday to send the bonding measure to the full House.

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