PIERRE — A bill requiring transgender students to participate on sports team matching their biological sex was defeated in the House on Monday.

The House's 34-34 vote was the demise of House Bill 1225 on Monday night. The House was considering the bill without a recommendation after a committee was deadlocked on the bill last week.

The bill would have voided the South Dakota High School Activities Association's current policy, adopted in 2014, allowing transgender students to participate on sports teams that reflect their gender identity rather than the sex listed on their birth certificate. The SDHSAA is a nonprofit organization independent from state government.

The ACLU of South Dakota said in a statement that it was thrilled with the committee's decision.

"All young people should have the opportunity to play high school sports and have their personal dignity respected. Transgender students are no different,” said Libby Skarin, policy director for the ACLU of South Dakota.

The House bill's defeat marks another failed attempt in the Legislature since 2015 to pass a transgender athletes bill. A similar bill has already been defeated in the Senate this session.

More:Transgender athletes bill heads to South Dakota House after committee deadlock

Rep. Lee Qualm, R-Platte, said his bill is about the biological differences between boys and girls in sports. It's unfair to subject girls to play against transgender girls, Qualm said.

"It's all about fair competition — no more, no less," Qualm said.

Rep. Marli Wiese, R-Madison, said the SDHSAA "tried hard" to find a way to ensure that students can participate in sports, but she wished that the association had consulted with the Legislature before it created its policy.

Rep. Jamie Smith, D-Sioux Falls, pointed out that the SDHSAA has set rules for sports in the state for 114 years. The SDHSAA's policies can change over time, and the association has a grievance process, as well as a way for schools to help shape policies.

"We do not need to do the job of the South Dakota High School Activities Association. We are the Legislature. Let the high school activities association do their job," Smith said.

Rep. Fred Deutsch, R-Florence, said he couldn't imagine his granddaughters competing against transgender girls, which he called "the epitome of unfairness."

But Rep. Linda Duba, D-Sioux Falls, pointed out that children participate in activities because they want to participate and the legislators have gotten too wrapped up in winning and competition.

"We have lost our minds and given anecdotal information about somehow some 6-foot-3, 240-pound person who is going to be on that court or on that field,” Duba said. “I can assure you that is not happening.”