Title: An act relating to authorizing additional payroll deductions for state employees.

Brief Description: Authorizing additional payroll deductions for state employees.

Sponsors: Senators Kastama, Roach, Kline, Benton, Keiser, Fairley, Fraser, Haugen and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 1/30/06, 1/31/06 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Berkey, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, Fairley, Haugen, Kline, McCaslin, Mulliken and Pridemore.

Staff: Cindy Fazio (786-7405)

Background: Upon meeting some requirements as to the number of employees making the request, state employees can request a payroll deduction for the following:

• credit union payments;
• parking fee payments;
• U.S. savings bond payments;
• deductions for board, lodging or uniforms, when furnished by the state; academic tuition, fees, or scholarship contributions payable to the employing institution;
• membership dues and other fees to professional organizations;
• insurance contributions for payment of premiums under contracts authorized by the state Health Care Authority;
• deductions to a bank, savings bank, or savings and loan association; and
• contributions to the Washington State Combined Fund Drive.

Deductions for labor or employee organization dues may only be made if a payroll deduction is not provided under a collective bargaining agreement.

Summary of Bill: In addition to labor or employee organization dues, an employee may authorize payroll deductions for contributions to any funds, committees, or subsidiary organizations maintained by labor or employee organizations.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: State employees are currently limited to providing donations to the union or other organization through means other than payroll deductions. Our members want the convenience and safety of providing donations through payroll deductions. The program is voluntary and because the state already makes deductions for so many other things, the fiscal impact is negligible.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Dennis Eagle, Washington Federation of State Employees.