South Dakota - trial delayed in fight to enforce smoking ban..

August 21, 2009 - The trial has been delayed in the fight over whether South Dakota's smoking ban should be put to a statewide public vote next year. The trial originally was scheduled for August 24, but has been moved to October 26 in Fort Pierre.

Circuit Judge Kathleen Trandahl also will hold a hearing on September 11 to deal with some issues in the lawsuit.

After the Legislature passed a law expanding the smoking ban to bars and casinos, opponents submitted petition signatures to put the issue on next year's election ballot. Secretary of State Chris Nelson eventually ruled that the issue could not go onto the ballot because more than 8,000 signatures were invalid.

Opponents of the ban want the judge to order Nelson to put the issue on the ballot.

Reference: (S.D.)-Trial Delayed in Smoking Ban Dispute by Nick Jakusz, 8/20/2009.

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