Labor & Employment

SB 6 reduces the maximum duration of reemployment benefits for eligible South Dakota workers. The bill amends Section 61-6-8 to shorten the standard benefit period from 26 weeks to a shorter duration (as specified in the amended statute). This directly affects individuals who qualify for state unemployment benefits by limiting how long they can receive payments. The key provision modifies the existing benefit calculation to decrease the total weeks available, without changing the weekly benefit amount. The bill does not address trade readjustment training extensions or base period wage calculations.

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.