• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- South Dakota lawmakers are waging a battle over two proposals to ban texting while driving, with the issue of local control emerging as a deciding factor.
• The House Transportation Committee voted 8-4 to defeat the Senate version of the ban, which would have made texting while driving a petty offence with a $100 fine.
• Opponents said it would allow cities to have their own, stricter policies, causing inconsistencies across the state.
• Supporters of the measure said lawmakers should have passed both bills to ensure that some form succeeds.
• The House version includes a lesser fine for the offence -- $25 -- and prohibits cities from making tougher regulations on texting and driving.
• Some lawmakers argued that they shouldn't interfere with local policies. A few cities have more stringent bans in place already. In the city of Mitchell, texting while driving is a primary offence, so lawmakers can pull some people over for that alone.
• "This bill allows at least some semblance of local control," said Rep. Ray Ring, D-Vermillion, supported the failed Senate-backed bill. "I think the $100 penalty is far more appropriate."
• That bill's main sponsor, Sen. Mike Vehle, said he was disappointed to see the conversation turn into an issue of local control. His bill does not address lo

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