SD HB1266

Prohibits public employees from using official authority to influence elections, soliciting contributions at work, coercing other employees to make political contributions, or engaging in political activity while on duty, in uniform, in government buildings, or using state vehicles

Permits public employees to vote, express political opinions, participate in campaigns, hold party offices, make political contributions, and run for partisan office—provided such activities occur outside work hours and duties

Expands the 2-year post-employment lobbying ban to include the highest-paid employee reporting to elected officers, department heads, and division directors (previously limited to just "the highest paid employee reporting to such person")

Removes the "public employee lobbyist" exception from the 2-year lobbying restriction, meaning former officials can no longer register as any type of lobbyist during the cooling-off period

Repeals the existing requirement for executive and judicial branch employees to register and wear badges as agency representatives when appearing before the Legislature