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HB 1506

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 Wade Andrews and 1 co-sponsor

House Bill 1506 aimed to stop public employers in Arkansas from deducting union dues from employee pay, impacting union funding and membership for public workers.

WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1506

Summary of House Bill 1506

Bill Number: HB 1506
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Status: Withdrawn by Author
Introduced: February 17, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1506 aimed to amend existing laws regarding public officers and employees in Arkansas. The primary intent of the bill was to prohibit public employers from deducting labor organization membership dues from the compensation of public employees. This legislation sought to impact the financial relationship between public employees and labor organizations, potentially affecting union membership and funding.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed the following key changes:

  • Definition of Terms:

    • Introduced definitions for "labor organization," "public employee," "public employer," and "public safety employee."
    • Defined "labor organization" to include labor unions and professional employee associations that are tax-exempt under specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code.

  • Prohibition on Deductions:

    • Public employers would be prohibited from deducting any dues, fees, or contributions to a labor organization from the compensation of public employees.
    • An exception was made for public safety employees, allowing deductions for them.

Affected Parties

  • Public Employees: The bill would have directly impacted all public employees in Arkansas, including those working for state agencies, local governments, and educational institutions.
  • Labor Organizations: Unions and professional associations representing public employees would have been affected by the prohibition on dues deductions, potentially impacting their financial stability and membership levels.
  • Public Employers: State and local government entities would have had to adjust their payroll processes to comply with the new regulations.

Procedural Aspects

  • Legislative Timeline:
    • The bill was filed on February 17, 2025, and was read for the first time, with rules suspended for a second reading and referral to the Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee.
    • On April 1, 2025, the bill was withdrawn by the author, halting its progress through the legislative process.

Conclusion

While House Bill 1506 was introduced with the intent to change the financial dynamics between public employees and labor organizations, its withdrawal means that the proposed changes will not be enacted. The implications of such legislation would have been significant for public sector labor relations in Arkansas, but as it stands, the status quo remains unchanged.

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

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