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• But another sponsor of the bill, Rep. Steve Hickey, R-Sioux Falls, said the U.S. Supreme Court could legalize gay marriage nationally, which might require churches to perform same-sex marriages.
• "I'm saying keep the state out of my church," said Hickey, pastor of a Sioux Falls church.
• Hickey said people can find other ministers who will perform same-sex marriages, but he believes in the Biblical definition of marriage between one man and one woman because it's best for people and their children.
• "I only promote and perform traditional marriages. It is not because I hate anyone. It is not because there's any bigotry. It's because I deeply care about people," Hickey said.
• But Sen. Jean Hunhoff, R-Yankton, said the state and federal constitutions guarantee religious freedom, and that means clergy cannot be forced to perform any marriage. Hunhoff, who voted against the bill, said she saw the measure as a "political statement" that could have unintended consequences. For example, passage of the bill could prompt medical workers to seek a law allowing them to refuse to care for certain people, she said.
• Sen. Craig Tieszen, R-Rapid City, said he also voted against the measure because he doesn't think it's necessary. A Supreme Court ruling approving gay marriage would trump any state law to the contrary, he said.
•

• HELENA, Mont. (AP) -- A governor's council recommends Montana restrict new development in sage grouse habitat to avoid federal protections that would lead to tighter rules.
• The Greater Sage Grouse Advisory Council outlined its recommendations in a 73-page report given to the governor on Wednesday.
• "It's essential in Montana that we find a way that we are monitoring and reducing impacts," to grouse habitat, said Glenn Marx of Helena, council member and executive director of the Montana Association of Land Trusts.
• "We're not just talking about sage grouse management, we're talking about controlling our future here," he said. "We're talking about our economic future."
• The groups' recommendations include a "no surface occupancy" zone within one mile of active sage grouse breeding grounds and a quarter-mile buffer zone in less critical habitat, Lee Newspapers of Montana reported. Areas in eastern Montana and extreme southwestern Montana have what the group described as "core" sage grouse habitat.

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