Dues for SC Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers Association
Summary
S0765 amends South Carolina’s payroll deduction law to allow the Comptroller General, and other state agencies where applicable, to deduct membership dues for the South Carolina Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers’ Association from the pay of state employees and retirees who request it. The bill adds this association to the list of organizations whose dues may be withheld from compensation in the same manner as other authorized deductions under Section 8-11-83.
The measure is limited in scope: it does not create a new benefit program, change employee compensation rates, or require deductions without consent. Instead, it establishes a voluntary payroll deduction mechanism for current employees and retirees associated with the state’s wildlife law enforcement community. The act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
Impact
The bill would amend Section 8-11-83 of the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding a new subsection authorizing dues deductions for the South Carolina Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers’ Association. It would apply the same restrictions and conditions that already govern other payroll deductions under that section. According to the fiscal impact statement, the bill is expected to have no expenditure impact for DNR, PEBA, or the Comptroller General’s Office because the deductions can be handled with existing staff and appropriations, though it would generate some additional Other Funds revenue for the Comptroller General through the existing deduction fee.
Sentiment
The available legislative history suggests the bill was generally well received and moved with broad support. It passed the Senate 2nd Reading by a 41-4 vote and later passed the House unanimously, 107-0. The committee report recommended that the bill do pass, and there is no recorded committee testimony or transcript indicating organized opposition. Overall, the sentiment appears favorable and largely procedural, reflecting support for allowing voluntary dues deductions for the association.
Contention
There is little evidence of substantive contention in the available record. The main policy issue is whether state payroll systems should be used to collect dues for a specific employee/retiree association, but the bill frames this as a voluntary deduction available only upon request. The fiscal note also notes that the Comptroller General’s Office will receive a small deduction fee under existing proviso language, but no opposition is recorded on that point. Any concern would likely center on the precedent of authorizing payroll deductions for particular organizations, rather than on cost or administrative burden.