South Dakota Contractor Sued for Firing Injury-Reporting Whistleblower

The U.S. Department of Labor filed suit against Stone Hill Excavation LLC and its successor Split Rock Sand & Gravel in U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota. OSHA found the companies violated whistleblower provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act by firing an employee two days after the worker reported second- and third-degree burns from a pressurized pipe incident. The department seeks reinstatement, back wages, and $100,000 in punitive damages.

SB2207 extends Tennessee school board wait 30-45 days

SB2207 extends Tennessee school board wait 30-45 days

Restrictions on Land Purchases by Foreign Entities

Tennessee Governor signed SB2233 on April 6, 2026, amending TCA Title 66, Chapter 2, Part 3 to restrict land purchases by sanctioned aliens and foreign entities. The bill passed the Senate 24-4 and the House 88-6 after adopting Amendment HA0794. This legislation affects real property transactions involving foreign entities in Tennessee.

Establishes July 1 Pre-K Reporting Deadline

Tennessee SB2426 was signed into law by the Governor on March 30, 2026. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49 to establish an annual July 1 deadline by which the Office of Early Learning within the Department must submit a pre-kindergarten program status report to the Governor and General Assembly.

Honors Veterans Month

Tennessee Senate Joint Resolution SJR1051 designates November 2026 as Veterans Month in the state of Tennessee. The resolution was passed by the Senate on April 2, 2026, and is sponsored by Senator Jack Johnson. This is a ceremonial recognition resolution honoring veterans for their service and sacrifice.

Therapist Terminology Updates - Marital to Marriage

The Tennessee General Assembly enacted SB2585, amending Tennessee Code Annotated Titles 4, 8, 33, 36, 52, 56, 63, and 68 to change references from 'marital and family therapists' to 'marriage and family therapists' throughout state law. The bill was signed by Governor on April 2, 2026, with Senate Speaker signature on April 6, 2026. The legislation passed with strong bipartisan support (Senate 32-0, House 94-1).

Reduces Wildlife Injury Reporting to 24 Hours

Tennessee SB2354 amends Tennessee Code Annotated Titles 39, 44, and 70 to reduce the mandatory reporting window for captive wildlife injuries requiring medical attention from 48 hours to 24 hours. The bill was passed by the Tennessee Senate on March 23, 2026, and by the House on April 6, 2026. Entities possessing captive wildlife must report injuries to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency within the new compressed timeframe.

HB925 CLEAR Act signed, creates peer committee review

HB925 CLEAR Act signed, creates peer committee review

Money Transmitters Data Security Requirements

Mississippi Governor signed HB1596 into law on April 2, 2026, requiring money transmitters licensed under the Money Transmission Modernization Act to implement comprehensive data security measures and customer protections. The bill requires licensees to establish information security programs with designated qualified individuals, conduct risk assessments, notify the Commissioner of Banking and Consumer Finance of data breaches involving unencrypted customer information, train authorized delegates on elder financial exploitation, and provide disclosures for money transmission and kiosk transactions. Virtual currency kiosks are now also regulated under the Act.

Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Panel Creation

Mississippi HB1637 creates the Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Panel under the State Department of Health to review fetal deaths and infant deaths up to one year of age. The multidisciplinary panel will develop strategies to prevent infant mortality, receive data from medical examiners, coroners, healthcare providers, and law enforcement agencies, and submit annual reports with recommendations to the legislature. The panel has authority to initiate enforcement actions against agencies that fail to provide required information.