House kills bag ban bill

PIERRE, S.D. (KJJQ) – A bill to prevent South Dakota cities from banning plastic bags, straws and beverage containers was killed in the South Dakota House of Representatives on a narrow 30-33 vote Thursday.

The bill’s author, Republican John Wiik of Big Stone City, says prohibiting cities from banning plastic bags and straws is needed because South Dakota is one large, spread-out small town and that what is good for one small city should be good for all cities in the state.

Representative Doug Post of Volga was the bill’s sponsor on the House side.

Representative Tim Reed of Brookings spoke against the bill.

Post gave notice of intent to try and bring the bill back up for reconsideration. That requires a majority vote. There were 7 excused votes Thursday.

The bill had earlier made it through the Senate.