State property update
Legislative Board Delays Smoking Ban Decision
05/15/2006
A legislative panel has delayed a decision on what the South Dakota Legislature will do in response to Governor Rounds’ decision to ban smoking on all state government property.
Smoking has been forbidden for some time inside the Capitol Building and all other state buildings. An executive order prohibits smoking on nearly all property, including parking lots and outside buildings, as of May 31st.
A number of state lawmakers smoke, and they routinely light up on the front steps of the Capitol during the lawmaking session.
The Legislature’s Executive Board postponed a decision on the issue Monday, but lawmakers acknowledge the smoking ban is touchy.
The Legislature is a separate branch of government that is not necessarily bound by a governor’s policy.
