Remember that local law overrules Soft Dollar standards.
always? or is it the stricter of the two?
I think in general, you are going to face a situation whereby the law is either more or less stringent than the standards. If the law is more stringent, you need to follow the law, if the standards are more stringent, then you need to follow the standards. If you comply with the standards, then you comply with the law by default.
You always need to follow the law.
Rule 1: stay out of jail.