House considers amendment to increase penalties for right‑to‑work violations; debate continues

Pierre — The House heard floor debate and amendment activity on House Bill 11‑66, a bill to enhance penalties for violations of right‑to‑work statutes. Rep. Randolph introduced amendment 11‑66A on the floor to address committee concerns and revise portions of the original draft.

Randolph told members the amendment responds to questions raised in committee: it reduces the proposed penalty in some places from a class‑6 felony to a class‑1 misdemeanor, removes a provision linking public and private unions, and adds a definition of "credible threat" that, as printed on the floor, includes the element that "a credible threat means a threat made with the intent and the apparent ability to carry out the threat" and notes that a credible threat need not be expressed verbally.

Rep. Van Deeben opposed the amendment on the floor, saying he remained concerned that sections 4, 5, 6 and 7 still impose class‑6 felony penalties for conduct such as damage to property — a penalty he said was disproportionate when compared to similar misdemeanors for property damage outside the union context. "For those reasons, I oppose this bill and I ask everybody to vote red on it," Van Deeben said.

The transcript shows the amendment being moved and seconded and extensive floor discussion; the final disposition (a recorded vote or other final action) on amendment 11‑66A or on House Bill 11‑66 is not recorded in the supplied transcript excerpt.