PIERRE, S.D. — A House committee killed a second version of a bill Tuesday that would have forced newspapers to print free obituaries.
The modified bill called for newspapers to print obituaries less than 6-inches long for free. Republican state Rep. Hal Wick told the House Commerce Committee that 6 inches was a reasonable amount of space.
But Dave Bordewyk, lobbyist for the South Dakota Newspaper Association, said it was improper for the government to tell editors what to run in the paper.
"We hear a lot of talk up here about government wanting to stay out of private business," Bordewyk said. "This bill really puts a pretty strong mandate on private business."
Republican Rep. Mike Broderick said newspapers have a moral obligation to print obituaries, but should not be forced to do so.
Democratic Rep. Mel Olson said editors should be allowed to decide who gets an obituary and how long it runs. He said newspapers should also get to decide whether to charge for obituaries.
The bill was voted down 11-1.