PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Gov. Dennis Daugaard has put his signature on a bill for the first time during the 2016 legislative session.

The governor's office announced Monday that Daugaard had signed the bill into law.

The proposal enables state and local governments to enter into contracts that allow energy efficiency upgrades to be paid for through the savings they create.

Daugaard says the measure will "allow public officials to be better stewards." He says the contracts have long been used in the private sector.

The 2016 legislative session began Jan. 12.

Lawmakers are set to wrap up their man run in mid-March and return for consideration of gubernatorial vetoes at the end of that month.

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