SD legislative panel considers texting ban

A South Dakota House committee is considering a proposed statewide ban on texting while driving.

House Speaker Brian Gosch of Rapid City initially introduced a bill that sought to prevent local governments from passing and enforcing their own distracting driving ordinances. But at a committee hearing last week, he changed the bill to ban texting while driving statewide.

The bill provides that local officials would still be banned from passing their own distracted driving ordinances -- something Gosch says existing law already prevents them from doing.

Critics have said Gosch's bill is flawed because it would replace stronger bans passed by some cities.

The bill would make it a petty offense, carrying a $25 fine, to text while driving.

The Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on the bill Monday.