Whether or not this goes through, I think a lot of folks on HN should consider refusing to sign non-compete agreements... especially if you are a subject matter

Whether or not this goes through, I think a lot of folks on HN should consider refusing to sign non-compete agreements... especially if you are a subject matter expert in your field of work. If a employer wants you to sign a non-compete it should cost them something (extra salary, extra signing bonus, pay for a period of time after you leave the company, etc.). You shouldn't just give away your right to work for nothing. I stopped signing non-competes a number of years ago on the basis that I'm hired for my expertise and know-how and, as such, "I bring everything to table" in my domain of expertise (not my company or they wouldn't have needed me)... it is my experience,knowledge and capability and I should be able to do whatever the hell I want with it, with the exception of stuff specifically covered by trade secret protections, classification, etc.