State Treasurer Josh Haeder sits at his desk in Pierre in January 2024. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)
Governor Kristi Noem said during her recent budget address that she wants the state to return more unclaimed property to its rightful owners.
She could start by claiming her own.
She’s one of more than 2 million people with unclaimed money or property held by the state of South Dakota, according to the state’s searchable online database . Noem’s unclaimed property is described as “over $250” worth of mutual fund shares. Other recognizable names with unclaimed money include Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden’s wife, Sandy ($10), state House Majority Leader Will Mortenson ($87.95) and state Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree ($20).
Gov. Kristi Noem presents her fiscal year 2025 budget address to the South Dakota Legislature on Dec. 5, 2023, at the Capitol in Pierre. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)
In her December budget speech , Noem said the value of unclaimed property remitted to the state had “dramatically increased” and was $76 million over estimates. She pledged to work with the state treasurer “to create a plan that ensures South Dakotans know that their own money can be returned to them.”