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Bill

SB 579

TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES; AND TO PROHIBIT A PUBLIC EMPLOYER FROM DEDUCTING LABOR ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIP DUES FROM THE COMPENSATION OF A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Matt Brown and 1 co-sponsor

Senate Bill 579 aimed to stop public employers in Arkansas from deducting union dues from employee paychecks, impacting union funding, except for public safety workers.

Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 579

Summary of Senate Bill 579

Bill Number: SB 579
Title: To Amend the Law Concerning Public Officers and Employees; and to Prohibit a Public Employer from Deducting Labor Organization Membership Dues from the Compensation of a Public Employee
Status: Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment
Introduced: March 31, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

Senate Bill 579 aimed to amend existing laws regarding public officers and employees in Arkansas by prohibiting public employers from deducting labor organization membership dues from the compensation of public employees. The bill sought to clarify the relationship between public employees and labor organizations, potentially impacting union membership and funding.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed the following significant changes:

  1. Definition of Terms:

    • Labor Organization: Defined as an organization that represents public employees in matters concerning grievances, labor disputes, wages, and working conditions. This includes labor unions and professional employee associations that are tax-exempt under specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code.
    • Public Employee: Defined as individuals performing services for public employers for wages or other remuneration.
    • Public Employer: Included various state and local government entities, such as agencies, departments, and institutions of higher education.
    • Public Safety Employee: A specific category of public employee engaged in law enforcement, emergency services, and related functions.

  2. Prohibition on Deductions:

    • Public employers would be prohibited from deducting any dues, fees, or contributions to labor organizations from the compensation of public employees, with the exception of public safety employees.

Impact

  • Public Employees: The bill would have affected all public employees in Arkansas by eliminating the automatic deduction of union dues from their paychecks, potentially impacting union funding and membership.
  • Public Safety Employees: This group would be exempt from the prohibition, allowing deductions for labor organization dues to continue for those in law enforcement and emergency services roles.

Procedural Aspects

  • Legislative Timeline:
    • March 31, 2025: The bill was filed and read for the first time, with rules suspended for a second reading.
    • May 5, 2025: The bill died in the Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment, meaning it did not progress further in the legislative process.

Conclusion

Senate Bill 579 represented a significant legislative effort to redefine the relationship between public employers and labor organizations in Arkansas. By prohibiting the deduction of union dues from public employee compensation, the bill aimed to reshape the financial dynamics of labor representation within the public sector. However, its failure to advance in the Senate Committee means that the existing laws remain unchanged.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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