SB 129 – Requires authorization for certain labor unions to use dues and fees to make political contributions and requires consent for withholding earnings from paychecks

• Sponsor: Brown
• LR Number: 0648S.01I
• Committee: Small Business, Insurance and Industry
• Last Action: 3/17/2015 - Motion to vote bill do pass failed S Small Business, Insurance and Industry Committee
• Effective Date: Upon voter approval

Current Bill Summary

SB 129 - This act allows public employee labor unions to withhold fees from public employee paychecks only upon the annual written consent of the employee. The act also requires the public employee's annual consent for public employee labor unions to use fees and dues for political purposes.

The employee must authorize the amount to be used for political contributions to be transferred to the labor union's continuing committee. Authorizing or refraining from authorizing any amount shall in no way affect employment.

The labor union must keep records of all authorizations for political contributions and submit them to the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission.

The act exempts first responders from the new provisions.

This act contains a referendum clause.

This act is identical to SS/SCS/SB 29 (2013) and similar to SS/SCS/SB 553 & 435 (2012), SB 435 (2012), SB 202 (2011), HB 492 (2011), SB 610 (2006), and SB 814 (1998).

SCOTT SVAGERA