State Senator Tan Parker and State Representative Carl Tepper have introduced bills SB 2330 and HB 4525, respectively, aimed at ending the government collection of union dues for public sector unions. These legislative efforts align with similar measures enacted in states such as Kentucky, Florida, Arkansas, and Tennessee.
According to the proposed legislation, SB 2330 and HB 4525 would prohibit the collection of labor organization dues, with exceptions for certain municipal police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel.
In March 2023, Kentucky lawmakers overrode a veto by Governor Andy Beshear to pass Senate Bill 7. The bill stipulates that a “public employer shall not assist, directly or indirectly, any labor organization, person, or other legal entity with the collection of dues, fees, assessments, or other charges,” according to KLC.
USA Today reports that in May 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 256. This legislation provides state employees with more transparency regarding how their dues money is spent and prevents the state from acting as a dues collector.
In April 2023, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Senate Bill 473 into law. According to the Freedom Foundation, this bill is specifically limited to teachers’ unions and prohibits the state from collecting dues for these unions.
Forbes reports that in May 2023, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a bill similar to the Arkansas legislation. This law shifts the responsibility of collecting teachers’ union dues from the state government to the unions themselves.