• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- More than 200 new laws are taking effect in South Dakota this week, including requiring the recitation of the pledge of allegiance in schools -- just in time for Independence Day. The new laws range from expanding open government provisions to blocking local governments from setting rules for specific dog breeds, such as banning pit bulls.
• Here's a look at some of the new laws taking effect Tuesday, the start of a new fiscal year:
• OPEN GOVERNMENT LAWS
• The agency that governs high school sports and fine arts activities statewide will be subject to the state's open records law. The South Dakota High School Activities Association came under scrutiny this year after some schools objected to decisions by the group's directors on use of ticket revenue. Legislators agreed that it should be more transparent because it operates with authority and funding from the state's public schools.
• Under the new law, the group also will have to report annually to a legislative committee. It is currently working on live streaming its board meetings.
• Another new transparency law would require law enforcement agencies to publicly release information about calls for service. Under the law, police logs will become publicly accessible. The logs usually include information that reveals the date, time, general location and general subject of calls for service, but not names or specific addresses.
• PROHIBITIONS
• A new texting while driving ban has taken a few years to pass. It nearly failed in the 2014 Legislature as well, but lawmakers compromised in the eleventh hour of the session. The law makes texting behind the wheel a petty offense with a $100

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