6713.E AMH MCMO BLIN 140

ESB 6713 - H AMD Failed 3-8-02 0389

By Representative McMorris

     Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

     "Sec. 1.  RCW 42.17.680 and 1993 c 2 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1) No employer or labor organization may increase the salary of an officer or employee, or give an emolument to an officer, employee, or other person or entity, with the intention that the increase in salary, or the emolument, or a part of it, be contributed or spent to support or oppose a candidate, state official against whom recall charges have been filed, political party, or political committee.

     (2) No employer or labor organization may discriminate against an officer or employee in the terms or conditions of employment for (a) the failure to contribute to, (b) the failure in any way to support or oppose, or (c) in any way supporting or opposing a candidate, ballot proposition, political party, or political committee.

     (3) 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.  If an employee has not provided a written request to the employer or disbursing entity, a person or entity who receives a withheld or diverted portion of the employee's salaries or wages from the employer or other disbursing entity shall not use those funds for contributions to political committees or for use as political contributions unless the employee has been given written notification of that possible use by the recipient and has provided written authorization for that use to the recipient.  The request to the employer and authorization to the recipient must be made on a form prescribed by the commission informing the employee of the prohibition against employer and labor organization discrimination described in subsection (2) of this section.  The request ((is)) and authorization are valid for no more than twelve months from the date ((it is)) they are made by the employee.

     (4) Each person or entity who withholds or receives contributions under subsection (3) of this section shall maintain open for public inspection for a period of no less than three years, during normal business hours, documents and books of accounts that shall include a copy of each employee's request, notification, and authorization, the amounts and dates funds were actually withheld, and the amounts and dates funds were transferred to a political committee or used as a contribution.  Copies of such information shall be delivered to the commission upon request."

     Correct the title.

EFFECT:  Strikes the original bill; provides that no money withheld from an employee=s salary or wages may be used for a political contribution without a prior written request from the employee, or written authorization from the employee following the employee's notification of that possible use.  The authorization is valid for 12 months, and the recipient of the withheld funds must maintain copies of the written notification and authorization for three years.  Removes the July 1, 2002 effective date.