South Dakota SenateHB 1209
require employment verification eligibility through the e-verify program and to provide a penalty therefor.
Passed 18–15
What it does: On the version voted Mar 9, 2026: Requires employers with more than 50 employees to verify new hires through E-Verify within 20 days, and lets the attorney general seek a $2,000 civil penalty per violation when federal agencies confirm knowing employment of an unauthorized worker. (AI-written summary of the bill; the official record shows the exact version voted)
Question before the chamber: Conference Committee report not adopted, no committee appointed
The tally
Yes 18 · No 15 · Not voting 2
Bar: green = yes, brown = no, striped = not voting.
| Party | Yes | No | Not voting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Republicans | 11 | 11 | 1 |
| Other or unknown party | 5 | 4 | 1 |
Most Democrats voted yes.
The full roll (35)
Yes 18
No 15
“Not voting” is a recorded non-vote, not a reason for the absence. Parties come from public rosters; how we count.