Senate Bill No. 312, introduced by Senator Talbot and Representative Melerine, aims to amend existing laws regarding union dues and fees for public employees in Louisiana. The bill allows employees to immediately cease the withholding of union dues or fees from their wages upon submitting a written or electronic request to their employer. Upon receiving such a request, the employer is required to notify the labor organization of the employee's decision and must stop any further deductions. Additionally, the bill mandates that employers cannot deduct dues or fees without valid authorization and requires annual written or electronic notifications to employees about their right to withdraw from labor organizations.

The bill also includes provisions that exempt law enforcement and firefighters from its regulations. It emphasizes that employees' rights to stop deductions cannot be waived and outlines the responsibilities of labor organizations regarding administrative costs associated with the collection of dues. Furthermore, the bill allows labor organizations to use union dues for political activities, provided they meet certain requirements. The proposed changes are set to take effect on August 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB312 Original:
SB312 Engrossed: