Louisiana House Bill HB273

Louisiana 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/26/20
• Refer: 2/26/20
• Refer: 3/9/20

Caption

Provides relative to authorized payroll withholdings for professional organization dues and certain contracts with school boards

Impact

The new law will impact existing regulations surrounding how payroll deductions for professional organization dues are collected and remitted. Previously, deductions could only be made if at least 50 employees or 10% of the total employee count requested it, which remains in place. However, the addition of the administrative fee marks a significant shift, as it provides local school boards with an ongoing revenue source tied to these transactions. Additionally, the law limits exceptions for boards with collective bargaining agreements, stating that any such agreements made after July 1, 2018, conflicting with this law will be considered void.

Summary

House Bill 273, introduced by Representative Edmonds, seeks to amend existing laws concerning payroll deductions for public school employees in Louisiana. The bill allows city, parish, and local public school boards to retain an administrative fee of up to 3% from the payroll withholdings made for dues owed to professional organizations. This change is aimed at providing school boards with the ability to recover some administrative costs incurred in processing these payroll deductions. By modernizing these provisions, the bill aligns with contemporary administrative practices within educational institutions.

Sentiment

Opinions on HB 273 are expected to vary among stakeholders in the education community. Supporters might appreciate the flexibility and potential reduction in administrative burdens that could expedite the processing of dues to professional organizations. However, detractors may view the bill as an additional cost imposed on employee dues, complicating the existing financial obligations of unions and associations. The sentiment thus reflects a balance of operational efficiency versus the financial implications for employees using these services.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise regarding how fairly the administrative fee is applied among various organizations and whether it could be viewed as a disincentive for joining professional associations. Critics might argue that the administrative fee reduces the net benefits that employees receive from their dues, which could impact membership levels and the overall support for professional organizations. Furthermore, the limited exceptions related to longstanding collective bargaining agreements could fuel debates over rights and representation in negotiations between employees and management.