PIERRE, S.D.(SDBA)- A revived effort targeted at preventing drag shows from taking place on college campuses easily passed the House Tuesday afternoon.

House Bill 1178, carried by Rep. Chris Karr of Sioux Falls, would prevent Board of Regents institutions from allowing for “obscene live conduct.”

It’s in response to a string of drag shows that have taken place on campuses across South Dakota. Last year, the Board of Regents adopted a policy to prevent minors from attending those shows.

“If we fund something with taxpayer dollars I want to understand the activities that are allowed or not allowed,” Karr said. “I think it is a good compliment to their existing policies they have in place.”

Critics of the bill raised concerns that it was unnecessary, pointing to the policy that the Board of Regents adopted last year preventing minors from attending. The Board of Regents did not take a stance in committee on the bill.

“I think the policy in place is fine, I do not think it needs to be in statute,” said Democrat Rep. Linda Duba. “This is overkill, and I think we should vote no.”

Though in the end, Democrats garnered only one Republican “no” vote, Rep. Kristin Conzet of Rapid City, who was appointed by Gov. Kristi Noem to the position last weekend.

That legislation now heads to the Senate, where a similar bill was defeated last year.