Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

 ANALYSIS

State Government Committee

 

 

HB 2822

 

Brief Description:  Concerning an employee's request to withhold wages for political purposes.

 

Sponsors:  Representative Romero.

 

Brief Summary of Bill

$Removes the requirement that requests by employees to withhold or divert wages for political contributions be renewed every 12 months.  Once the request is made, it remains valid until revoked by the employee.

 

 

Hearing Date:  2/5/02

 

Staff:  Catherine Blinn (786‑7114).

 

Background:

 

The Fair Campaign Practices Act was enacted following passage of Initiative 134 in 1992.  The initiative imposed campaign contribution limits on elections for state office, further regulated independent expenditures, restricted the use of public funds for political purposes, and required public officials to report gifts received in excess of $50.

 

Employers and labor organizations are prohibited from increasing the salary of an employee with the intent that the money be used to support or oppose a political candidate, party, or committee.  Employers and labor organizations are also prohibited from discriminating against an employee for supporting, opposing, or contributing to a candidate, ballot proposition, political party or political committee, or for an employee's failure to do so.

 

Employers may not withhold or divert any portion of an employee's wages or salaries for contributions to political committees except upon the written request of the employee.  The request must be made on a form that informs the employee of the prohibitions against employer and labor organization discrimination.  The request is valid for 12 months from the date it is made.  Employers must maintain for public inspection at least three years copies of each employee request, and accounts of the amounts and dates funds were withheld and the amounts and dates funds were transferred to political committees.

 

Summary of Bill:

 

The requirement that requests to withhold or divert wages for political committee contributions be renewed every 12 months is removed.  Once the request is made, it is valid until revoked by the employee.  The employee may revoke the request at any time.

 

Rulemaking Authority:  No express authority.

 

Appropriation:  None.

 

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

 

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.