SENATE BILL REPORT
ESB 6713
As Passed Senate, February 16, 2002
Title: An act relating to voluntary payroll deductions.
Brief Description: Making voluntary payroll deductions.
Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen and Prentice.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: State & Local Government: 2/6/02, 2/7/02. [DP, DNP]
Passed Senate: 2/16/02, 25-22.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Gardner, Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Haugen, Keiser, Kline and T. Sheldon.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senators Hale, Horn, McCaslin and Swecker.
Staff: Eugene Green (786‑7405)
Background: No employer or other person or entity responsible for the disbursement of funds in payment of wages or salaries may withhold or divert a portion of an employee's wages or salaries for contributions to political committees or for use as political contributions except upon the written request of the employee. The request must be made on a form prescribed by the Public Disclosure Commission informing the employee of the prohibition against employee and labor organization discrimination (e.g., failure to contribute to or failure to support or oppose a candidate or ballot issue). The request is valid for no more than 12 months from the date it is made by the employee.
Summary of Bill: An employee's request to withhold a portion of wages or salaries for contributions to political committees or for use as political contributions is no longer subject to a time limitation. The employee must be notified, at least annually, of the prohibition against discrimination on political contributions. The employee may cancel a political contribution deduction at any time and must be notified at least annually about the right to revoke the request.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2002.
Testimony For: This authority for deductions is voluntary. It can be taken off at any time. It is an issue of fairness.
Testimony Against: The existing law helps union members who do not want to pay for union politics.
Testified: Linda Lanham, machinist (pro); Diane McDaniel, WSLC (pro); Jami Lund, EFF; Steve Gano (con).