DIGEST The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] Talbot HB No. 172 Abstract: Removes authority for public employees to withhold payroll deductions for union fees. Present law (R.S. 23:890) provides for the labor policy when a municipality or transit authority acquires or operates a transportation facility. Present law allows that employees of the acquired facility may authorize deductions of wages and salaries for the following purposes: (1) Pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement with a duly designated or certified labor organization for the payment of union dues, fees, or assessments. (2) For the payment of contributions pursuant to any health and welfare plan or pension or retirement plan, and (3) For any purposes for which deductions may be authorized by employees of any private employer. Proposed law removes union dues as an authorized deduction. Present law (R.S. 42:456) authorizes state employee payroll withholdings for the following: (1)Mandated federal or state income withholdings, credit unions, garnishments, liens, union dues, savings bonds programs, qualified United Way entities, health and life insurance products offered through the Office of Group Benefits, products having state participating contributions, sponsored by the Office of Group Benefits, which qualify and are offered under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code (Cafeteria Plan). (2)Products offered without state contributory participation which have been evaluated and approved in accordance with rules and procedures promulgated by the commissioner of administration. Proposed law removes union dues as an authorized payroll withholding. Present law (R.S. 42:457) authorizes any state, parish, or city employee to withhold from his salary a specific amount for payment of his dues to any labor organization to which he belongs. Proposed law repeals present law. (Amends R.S. 23:890(F) and R.S. 42:456(A)(1); Repeals R.S. 42:457)