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)]
HB 712 Original 2024 Regular Session Crews
Abstract: Allows teachers or other employees from certain governing bodies to withdraw from
paying labor organization dues and to prohibit the collection of membership dues for political
activities.
Proposed law requires a labor organization that requests to collect membership dues or salary
deductions from a state, public, school board, or any other governmental agency employee to certify
to the appropriate governmental entity that none of the membership dues will be used for political
activity. Proposed law further requires, at the end of each calendar year, for a labor organization to
provide a detailed breakdown of the expenditure of membership dues collected.
Proposed law provides that any labor organization that fails to provide the required certifications,
reports expenditures for political activity, or files false information about political activity in any of
its reports shall be permanently barred from arranging for the collection of its membership dues.
Proposed law provides that upon submission of a written or email request to a state, parish, city,
local school board, or any other governmental agency, herein referred to as "the agency", an
employee shall have the right to immediately cease the withholding of association dues from his
wages. Proposed law further provides that upon receipt of a request, the agency shall immediately
send written or email notification of the employee's decision to the organization.
Proposed law provides that the organization shall cease any withholding of dues from the employee's
wages. Proposed law further provides that the employee will not accrue any further debt.
Proposed law provides that the employee's right to immediately resign and immediately end any
financial obligation to an association shall not be waived.
Proposed law provides that all authorizations for association dues shall not exceed one year; and that
all authorizations shall be renewed annually in order to be effective. Proposed law further provides
that any prior authorizations for association dues are deemed invalid.
Proposed law provides that the requirements of proposed law do not affect any collective bargaining
agreement currently in effect. Proposed law further provides that the terms of the collective
bargaining agreement shall remain valid until the adoption of a new collective bargaining agreement
or modification, extension, or alteration of an existing bargaining agreement pursuant to proposed
law occurs. Proposed law provides that the agency shall notify the employee of his right to cease payment of
association dues. Proposed law further provides that the agency shall provide written or email
notification, at least annually, to the employee to inform him that he can withdraw from the
association.
Proposed law provides that all authorizations shall be on a form prescribed by the employer and
contain the following statement in fourteen-point boldface font.
"The state of La. wishes to inform you that you have a 1
st
Amendment right to join or refrain
from joining and paying dues to an association. Membership and payment of dues are
voluntary and you may not be discriminated against for your decision or your refusal to join
or financially support an association. You may authorize your employer to deduct
association dues from your salary in the amounts specified in accordance with an
association's bylaws. You may revoke this authorization at any time."
Proposed law provides that the employer shall confirm the authorization by emailing the employee
at his employer-provided email address or, if he does not have an employer-provided email, by other
means the employer deems appropriate.
Proposed law prohibits a state, parish, city, town, or governmental officer, agent, or governing body
from recognizing any labor union or other employee association as a bargaining or meet and confer
agent of any public officers or employees, or to collectively bargain, meet and confer, or enter into
any collective bargaining contract or memorandum of understanding that outlines terms and
conditions of employment with any the labor union or association or its agents with respect to any
matter relating to the public officer's or employee's employment or service.
Proposed law exempts law enforcement and firefighter services to the applicability of proposed law.
(Amends R.S. 17:438(C) and (D); Adds R.S. 17:438(E)-(H))