SD SB155

Government Operations and Audit Committee gains expanded discovery powers including subpoenas, depositions, written interrogatories, and document requests, with a rebuttable presumption that withheld information is adverse if compliance is knowingly refused

House and Senate Judiciary Committees may exercise the same subpoena and discovery authority as the Government Operations and Audit Committee by majority vote of members-elect

Whistleblower protections prohibit retaliation against employees, consultants, or contractors who cooperate with legislative audits or investigations, with remedies including actual damages, back pay, reinstatement, attorney fees, treble damages for knowing retaliation, and whistleblower rewards up to $50,000 or 10% of recovered funds

Post-employment restrictions expanded for elected officers, department heads, division directors, and their highest-paid direct reports to include a 2-year ban on lobbying and prohibition on employment with entities that benefited from discretionary state contracts, grants, or financial assistance over $100,000 that the official helped approve

Criminal conflict of interest penalties increased from Class 1 misdemeanor to Class 6 felony for revolving door violations, with violations involving $100,000 or more elevated to Class 5 felony, and courts required to order disgorgement and restitution