Hello SESHRM Members!

Based on the 2026 South Dakota legislative session (as of early February 2026), several bills addressing human resources, labor, and employment have been introduced. Key focus areas include labor organization restrictions in education, state employee benefits, and post-employment restrictions. 

Labor & Public Employment

• HB 1217 - Public Education Labor Restrictions: Limits the use of taxpayer funds and resources by public education employers to support a labor organization or affiliate, such as restricting payroll deduction for union dues and prohibiting the use of public funds for union activities.
• HB 1279 - Technical College Employee Benefits: Permits technical college employees to join the state health plan, allowing the human resources commissioner to include them in the state's self-funded or group health insurance programs.
• HB 1072 - State Employee Salary Payment: Provides an appropriation of over $8 million for a 1.5% salary payment to state employees.
• SB 153 - Non-Compete Agreements: Prohibits certain restrictions in employment contracts for community services providers.
• HB 1209 - E-Verify Requirement: Requires employment verification eligibility through the E-Verify program.
• SB 63 - Apprenticeship Office: Establishes the state office of apprenticeship within the Department of Labor and Regulation.
• SB 6 - Reemployment Assistance: Reduces the maximum duration of an individual's reemployment (unemployment) benefits from 26 weeks to 12 weeks in certain circumstances

Human Resources & Conflict of Interest

• HB 1221 - Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) Restrictions: Establishes post-employment restrictions for employees of the Governor's Office of Economic Development, creating a penalty for violations.
• SB 93 - State Employee Post-Employment Contracts: Prohibits certain state officers or employees from being employed by an organization that was a recipient of a state contract for a period of up to two years, depending on the contract value

Other Labor-Related Items

• HB 1003: Revises the daily meal allowance for wildland fire employees and fire suppression forces.
• Minimum Wage (Effective Jan 1, 2026): The Department of Labor and Regulation updated the minimum wage for tipped employees to $5.925/hour

Look for more updates as the Session enters the second half.