SB 5879

HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 5879

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:
State Government & Tribal Affairs

Title: An act relating to payroll deductions for retiree organization dues.

Brief Description: Authorizing payroll deductions for retiree organization dues.

Sponsors: Senators Fairley, Roach, Benton, Kohl-Welles, Murray, Swecker, Kline, Keiser, Schoesler, Fraser, Jacobsen and Rockefeller.

Brief History:

State Government & Tribal Affairs: 3/21/07, 3/23/07 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

Allows payroll deductions for retiree organization dues and voluntary employee contributions to any funds, committees, or subsidiary organizations maintained by retiree organizations.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT & TRIBAL AFFAIRS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Hunt, Chair; Appleton, Vice Chair; Green, McDermott, Miloscia and Ormsby.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Chandler, Ranking Minority Member and Kretz.

Staff: Alison Hellberg (786-7152).

Background:

Upon meeting certain requirements, state employees may request payroll deductions 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;
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.

Labor and employee organization dues and voluntary employee contributions to any funds, committees, or subsidiary organizations maintained by labor or employee organizations may also be deducted if:

the payroll deduction is not provided for under a collective bargaining agreement;
each labor or employee organization chooses only one fund for voluntary employee contributions; and
payroll deductions to that organization must have been requested by either 25 people in one agency, or at least 100 people in several agencies.

Deductions for employee benefit programs are also permitted to labor or employee organizations with 500 or more members in state government.

Summary of Bill:

Retiree organization dues and voluntary employee contributions to any funds, committees, or subsidiary organizations maintained by retiree organizations may be deducted if:

the payroll deduction is not provided for under a collective bargaining agreement;
each retiree organization chooses only one fund for voluntary employee contributions; and
payroll deductions to that organization must have been requested by either 25 people in one agency, or at least 100 people in several agencies.

Deductions for employee benefit programs are also permitted to retiree organizations with 500 or more members in state government.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Many lawyers and experts have looked at this bill and everything about it is voluntary. An employee only needs to call payroll to stop the deduction at any time. This bill passed unanimously out of the House and the Senate.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Bev Hermanson, Retired Public Employees Council.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.