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consider the changes the Senate made to his bill. However, he said he thought Vehle should have talked with him before changing his bill, which he said amounted to a hijacking.
• The House-passed version would make texting while driving a petty offense carrying a $25 penalty. The version approved by the Senate would make illegal texting a Class 2 misdemeanor, carrying a penalty of up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.
• Both versions would prohibit driving while using a hand-held device to write, send or read text-based messages. However, drivers could still use cellphones to talk and could text using voice-operated or hands-free technology.
• In addition, both versions would prohibit local governments from having their own bans. After the Legislature in recent years refused to ban texting while driving, eight cities and counties passed their own bans.
• Gosch has said such local bans are illegal because a 1929 law already bars local governments from having traffic regulations that conflict with state law.
• Vehle said the Legislature needs to ban texting while driving to reduce accidents and save lives.
• "It's dangerous. It's deadly, and it deserves to be illegal," Vehle said.
•

• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Legislature has given final passage to a measure that changes the state's domestic abuse laws to cover couples who are dating but don't live together.
• The Senate voted unanimously Monday to approve a version of the bill approved by the House. The measure will become law if signed by Gov. Dennis Daugaard.
• Current law covers harm, attempted harm or the infliction of fear committed by family or household members against spouses, former spouses, some relatives, people who live or have lived in the same household, or people who have a child together.
• The bill expands domestic abuse protections to people who are in a significant romantic relationship or are expecting a child together.
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• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota House has passed a bill to regulate e-cigarettes.
• Representatives voted 60-10 in support of the measure.
• E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that resemble traditional cigarettes.

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