HB 1872 -- Protect Missouri Employee Paychecks from Politics Act

Sponsor:  Hunter

This bill establishes the Protect Missouri Employee Paychecks
from Politics Act.  In its main provisions, the bill:

(1)  Prohibits any public or private employer from deducting or
facilitating the deduction of payments from any employee's
paycheck for political purposes without the express annual
written permission of the employee;

(2)  Specifies that the term "political purposes" will include
funds used as a direct or independent expenditure in support of
or opposition to a candidate, slate of candidates, political
party, or referendum or voter initiative or for a contribution to
a political action committee or other group for the making of the
expenditure;

(3)  Requires an employer deducting from an employee's paycheck
for multiple purposes to obtain from the entity to which the
funds were directed a statement assuring that no funds or the
percentage of funds used for political purposes;

(4)  Specifies that the bill does not apply to deductions for
employee benefits, pensions, savings, health plans, or charitable
contributions;

(5)  Specifies that the bill is not intended to preempt any
requirement of federal law and is to be construed broadly to
achieve its purposes; and

(6)  Authorizes the Attorney General to issue reasonable
regulations regarding the form of necessary permission from
employees and statements by funded entities.

Anyone violating the provisions of the bill or making inaccurate
statements regarding the use of employer-collected funds for
political purposes will be subject to a fine of up to $10,000 per
occurrence.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:11 pm