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prohibit certain restrictive employment contracts.

This bill prohibits employers from using restrictive covenants (non-compete and non-solicitation agreements) against mental health professionals and counselors, preventing these workers from being barred from practicing in certain areas or treating existing patients after they leave a job. The bill carves out an exception to South Dakota's general non-compete law, which normally allows employers to restrict employees from competing for up to two years after employment ends. Mental health professionals will now be able to continue their practice and treat current patients anywhere without geographic or time-based restrictions from former employers.

prohibit certain restrictions in employment contracts.

South Dakota law currently allows employers to restrict where employees work and which customers they can serve for up to two years after leaving a job, but this bill carves out an exception for health care providers. Health care providers can no longer be restricted from practicing medicine in any location, treating existing patients, or seeking new patients from their employer's practice—regardless of what their employment contract says. This removes the two-year restriction period that applies to other workers and gives health care providers freedom to continue practicing and serving patients anywhere after they leave.

modify hours of employment for children under fourteen years of age.

South Dakota currently prohibits children under 14 from working in factories, mines, and stores, but this bill clarifies and modifies those rules by allowing work in commercial establishments only when school is not in session and pushing back the nightly cutoff from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The bill also removes the specific prohibition on factory and workshop employment, instead applying a general restriction to all mercantile commercial work. Violating these child labor rules remains a Class 2 misdemeanor.

create the Center for American Exceptionalism at Black Hills State University, make an appropriation therefor, and declare an emergency.

This bill establishes a new Center for American Exceptionalism at Black Hills State University and appropriates state funding to create and operate it. The bill declares an emergency, which means the funding becomes available immediately rather than waiting for the normal budget process.

lower the state sales tax rate and the state use tax rate on food to zero percent.

HB 1075 eliminates South Dakota's sales and use tax on food purchases by lowering the tax rate to zero percent. This change would remove the current tax that South Dakotans pay when buying groceries and other food items, effectively making food purchases tax-free in the state.

require employers to disclose compensation or range of compensation to applicants and employees.

South Dakota employers with 100 or more employees must now list the salary or hourly pay range (plus benefits) in all job postings, whether posted online or on paper. Employers must keep records of these salary ranges and job descriptions for as long as workers are employed, and workers can report violations to the Department of Labor and Regulation.

provide for an annual presentation regarding Indian Law.

SB 166 requires an annual presentation to be given about Indian Law, amending the state law that governs legal education or bar requirements in South Dakota. The bill adds new requirements to §24-11-13, though the specific details about who gives the presentation and where it occurs would need the full bill text to clarify.

create provisions for the protection of warehouse distribution center employees.

SB 178 creates new protections for workers at warehouse distribution centers by establishing rules about how employers can track and use employee productivity data. The law defines key terms like "employee work speed data" (information about how fast workers complete tasks) and requires employers to handle this data carefully, with provisions for employee representatives to access information about how quotas and performance metrics are being used. This is a new law that sets limits on warehouse employers' ability to monitor and enforce productivity quotas without employee knowledge or input.

modify the annual minimum wage adjustment.

This bill changes South Dakota's minimum wage adjustment from happening every year to every two years, starting January 1, 2025. Instead of comparing the cost of living year-over-year, the state will now measure inflation over a two-year period before adjusting the wage. The minimum wage will still be rounded up to the nearest five cents and can never decrease.

To celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the National Wild Turkey Federation and recognize the organization's significant contributions to scientific wildlife management, research, and habitat conservation, as well as promoting and protecting the long-honored outdoor traditions of the United States of America.

This resolution celebrates the National Wild Turkey Federation's 50th anniversary and recognizes its work in wildlife management, research, and habitat conservation. The resolution does not change any state law—it is simply a statement of appreciation from the South Dakota House of Representatives for the organization's contributions to outdoor traditions and wildlife protection.

Celebrating the profound commitment and accomplishments of Dr. Rick and Valerie Melmer in developing leaders in South Dakota.

This is a ceremonial resolution that doesn't change any state law. The House of Representatives is expressing appreciation for Dr. Rick and Valerie Melmer's work in developing leaders in South Dakota.

provide for licensure by endorsement for certain licensed professionals and occupations.

South Dakota is making it easier for professionals licensed in other states to get licensed in South Dakota by creating a uniform "licensure by endorsement" process that all licensing boards must follow. Instead of each profession having different requirements, any licensed professional from another state can now get a South Dakota license if their home state's standards are substantially equivalent to South Dakota's, they can show relevant work experience or continuing education, and they have a clean disciplinary record. This streamlines the process for doctors, nurses, contractors, and other licensed professionals who want to practice across state lines.

Honoring the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Singing Legionnaires of American Legion Post 15 in Sioux Falls.

SC801 honors the 75th anniversary of the Singing Legionnaires of American Legion Post 15 in Sioux Falls. This is a ceremonial resolution that does not change any state law.

provide a conscience exemption from a COVID-19 vaccination.

This bill creates a new "conscience exemption" that allows any person to refuse COVID-19 vaccination based on their personal beliefs about right and wrong, and they can claim this exemption either orally or in writing. Employers and schools are prohibited from firing, demoting, or removing students from programs based on someone's decision to decline COVID-19 vaccination for conscience reasons, and must inform people of this exemption right before trying to mandate vaccination. Anyone who violates these protections can be sued for damages or stopped by a court order.