South Dakota: Cell phone laws, legislation

Cell phone/texting news: The 2010 Legislature is considering bills that would ban texting and outlaw use of handheld wireless devices by minors with restricted licenses. A ban on test messaging was defeated in 2009.

Current prohibitions:
No restrictions on cell phone use.

2010 legislation:
HB 1133: For drivers under 18 with restricted licenses, the bill would outlaw use of cell phones and other wireless communications devices. Exempts GPS. Cleared the Health and Human Services Committee on Feb. 1, 2010. (Cutler)

HB 1178: Would outlaw text messaging by any driver. (Nygaard)

2010 legislation notes:
Rep. Joni Cutler, R-Sioux Falls, and Sen. Pam Merchant, D-Brookings, are the chief sponsors of HB 1133. Merchant plans to have her 12-year-old son testify as to the pervasive use of wireless devices by teenagers.

2009 legislation:
HB 1125: Would have outlawed text messaging by all drivers. Specified use of cell phones for texting. The House State Affairs Committee shot down this texting-and-driving legislation in an 8-4 vote on Feb. 19, 2009.

Legislation notes:
Rep. Eldon Nygaard, D-Vermillion, was the sponsor of HB 1125, the anti-texting legislation that was considered in the 2009 session.

Rapid City briefly considered limits on cell phoning drivers, but noted that any legislation should come from the state level.