Labor & Employment

SB 63 establishes a State Office of Apprenticeship within South Dakota's Department of Labor and Regulation. The office will serve as the state's main agency for apprenticeships, setting standards for training programs, promoting apprenticeship opportunities, and resolving disputes between apprentices and employers. It directly affects apprentices, employers, and training programs participating in registered apprenticeships across South Dakota. The office will implement federal apprenticeship standards effective January 1, 2026, as outlined in 29 C.F.R. § 29.1-29.14.

HB 1217 would restrict public education employers in South Dakota, such as school districts and technical colleges, from using taxpayer funds or resources to support labor unions or their activities. The bill specifically prohibits actions like deducting union dues from employee paychecks, sharing employee personal information with unions without consent, using school facilities for union membership drives, or favoring one union over another. It also bans public education employers from contributing public money to unions or providing paid time off for union-related activities. Violations would be subject to penalties, though the exact penalty details are not provided in the bill text. This bill directly affects how public education employers interact with labor organizations and their employees.