This one could be interesting to enforce.
From the Rapid City Journal:
It would be illegal to lie or print lies about issues placed on the South Dakota ballot as proposed laws, repeal of existing laws or changes in the state constitution, under a bill that South Dakota lawmakers will deal with this year.
HB1145 would make such falsehoods misdemeanors that could be punished by up to 30 days in jail and $500 fines.
I remember some things being said during the 2006 campaign about rights being lost if certain initiatives passed. No rights had been lost in other states, there was no indication that they would, nor any indication that rights would be lost here. But the parties making those statements could have theoretically been prosecuted under this statute.
I agree with the intent of HB 1145; we should have honest from both sides of an issue, with debate based on the merits of the measure or candidate, without dishonest fear mongering.
The thing is, when the rubber meets the road, questions of what can happen and what will happen can quickly become matters of highly subjective conjecture.
