House Bill No. 293, introduced by Representative Melerine, seeks to amend the regulations surrounding the payment of labor organization dues or fees by teachers, school employees, and public employees in Louisiana. The bill allows these employees to stop the withholding of dues or fees from their wages immediately upon submitting a written or electronic request to their employer. Employers are then required to inform the labor organization or union and halt any further deductions, preventing the accumulation of additional debt. The bill also mandates that any authorization for salary deductions must be renewed annually, rendering prior authorizations invalid. Additionally, it requires school boards to inform employees of their right to withdraw from labor organizations and provide annual notifications regarding this right.

The proposed law introduces several key changes, including provisions that allow employers to use alternative methods to confirm authorization for deductions if an employee does not have a provided address or email. It also places the responsibility for covering administrative costs related to the collection of dues or fees on labor organizations, including costs incurred when an employee opts out. Furthermore, the bill allows employers to petition the Louisiana Workforce Commission for waivers of compliance with certain requirements for mass transit employees, while exempting law enforcement and firefighter services from these provisions. The new regulations will take effect after August 1, 2025, emphasizing employees' rights to cease payment of dues or fees at any time and mandating annual notifications from employers regarding these rights.

Statutes affected:
HB293 Original:
HB293 Engrossed:
HB293 Reengrossed: