Immigration

HB 1209 requires South Dakota employers to verify new employees' work eligibility using the federal DHS e-Verify program within the hiring process and maintain records throughout employment. Employers who fail to comply lose eligibility for state economic incentives (like grants or loans) and must repay any such funds received within 30 days of a final noncompliance determination. Additionally, the bill makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for individuals to knowingly provide false information to evade e-Verify checks. The law directly affects all South Dakota employers receiving state economic incentives and their employees.

SB 180 modifies South Dakota's rules for issuing commercial driver licenses (CDLs) to non-residents ("nondomiciled" applicants). It specifically allows individuals with H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 work visas (or those from U.S. territories with these visas) and people from states with decertified CDL programs to obtain a South Dakota CDL. Key provisions require applicants to present valid visa documents at every license transaction, confirm immigration status via federal systems, and have licenses expire when their visa validity ends (or within one year of issuance). The license must display "nondomiciled," and holders must surrender any other state's nondomiciled CDL.