By: Schatzline H.B. No. 4640 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to payroll deductions for certain school district employees for membership in a professional organization or association. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act shall be known as the Paycheck Protection Act of 2023. SECTION 2. Chapter 22, Education Code, is amended by adding Sections 22.0001 to read as follows: Sec. 22.0001. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Professional organization" means an organization, association, or union in which school district employees participate and that exists, in whole or in part, to deal with one or more public employers concerning grievances, labor disputes, or conditions of employment affecting school district employees and whose members pay fees or dues. (2) "Association" has the meaning assigned by Section 174.003, Local Government Code. SECTION 3. Section 22.001, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: (a) A school district employee, other than an employee who is employed in a professional law enforcement capacity is not entitled to have an amount deducted from the employee's salary for membership fees or dues to a professional organization [. The employee must: [(1) file with the district a signed written request identifying the organization and specifying the number of pay periods per year the deductions are to be made; and [(2) inform the district of the total amount of the fees and dues for each year or have the organization notify the district of the amount]. (a-1) A school district employee employed in a professional law enforcement capacity is entitled to have an amount deducted from the employee's salary for membership fees or dues to a professional organization or association. The employee must: (1) file with the district a signed written request identifying the organization or association and specifying the number of pay periods per year the deductions are to be made; and (2) inform the district of the total amount of the fees and dues for each year or have the organization or association notify the district of the amount. SECTION 4. Chapter 22, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 22.0011 to read as follows: Sec. 22.0011. PROHIBITION ON COLLECTION OF PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION DUES. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a school district may not deduct or withhold, or contract to deduct or withhold, from an employee's salary or wages payment of dues or membership fees to a professional organization or association. (b) Subsection (a) does not apply to an employee who is employed in a professional law enforcement capacity. (c) Subsection (a) does not affect the ability of a school district to deduct or withhold from an employee's salary or wages an amount for donation to an eligible charitable organization. SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2023.