Bill > SB155

This bill strengthens legislative oversight and protections against conflicts of interest by expanding the subpoena and discovery powers of the Government Operations and Audit Committee to include the preservation of responsive materials and establishing a rebuttable presumption of adverse information if a subject knowingly fails to comply with a subpoena or discovery procedure. It also grants the House and Senate Judiciary Committees similar subpoena and discovery authority. Furthermore, the bill prohibits retaliatory actions against state employees, consultants, or contractors who in good faith cooperate with audits or investigations, and allows for civil action with potential damages, back pay, attorney fees, and even treble damages for knowing retaliation, as well as whistleblower rewards. The bill also extends the "revolving door" restriction, preventing certain elected officials and high-ranking employees from lobbying or accepting employment from entities they substantially interacted with during their public service for two years after leaving office, with violations now being a Class 6 felony. Finally, it broadens the definition of criminal conflict of interest to include indirect conflicts, such as securing a promise of future employment, and mandates disgorgement of benefits and restitution, with more severe penalties for violations involving significant amounts, repeated misconduct, or clear abuse of public trust, classifying such offenses as Class 5 felonies.

Government Affairs

https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/27062