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• The prenatal care measure approved by the committee Monday would change Medicaid income qualifications to cover an estimated 139 additional pregnant U.S. citizens a year. Prenatal care is now provided to pregnant women earning up to 133 percent of the poverty level, and the bill would increase the eligibility to women at 140 percent of the poverty level.
• The change in income eligibility would cost more -- another estimated $464,000, according to the bill -- but supporters said it also could save money by reducing costly care for babies born with severe medical problems.
• Hunhoff said he hopes lawmakers will support both changes, rather than pitting two groups of poor babies against each other.
• "It saves money. It saves lives. It improves lives," Hunhoff said.
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SD fight commission bill headed to governor
• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- A bill creating a state athletic commission to regulate boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts will be sent to South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard.
• The state Senate passed a House-amended version of the bill by a 27-5 margin on Monday.
• Supporters say a commission is needed to oversee the sports because unregulated professional matches are often conducted without proper rules, referees, testing and medical personnel.
• The Legislature passed a similar law in 2009, but it expired last year because former Gov. Mike Rounds and Daugaard never appointed commissioners. Daugaard has said the previous measure was flawed because commissioners could have been personally liable if the body was sued.
• Daugaard agreed to support the bill once it was changed to allow his office to appoint the commission's five members.
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Senate refuses to reconsider points for speeding
• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Senate has refused to reconsider a measure that would have given South Dakota the option to suspend the licenses of drivers who repeatedly speed.
• The Senate Transportation Committee killed the bill last Wednesday, but Republican Sen. Craig Tieszen on Monday tried to force the bill to the full Senate floor. Tieszen's motion received 11 of the 12 needed votes.
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