SECOND REGULAR SESSION
94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES HUNTER (Sponsor), FISHER, BIVINS, MUNZLINGER, ROBB, MOORE, SATER, SANDER AND EMERY (Co-sponsors).
Read 1st time January 28, 2008 and copies ordered printed.
D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 285, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to deductions from employee paychecks, with a penalty provision.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 285, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 285.310, to read as follows:
285.310. 1. This section shall be known as the "Protect Missouri Employee Paychecks from Politics Act".
2. No public or private employer in this state shall deduct or facilitate the deduction of payments from any employee's paycheck for political purposes without the express annual written permission of the employee. As used in this section, "political purposes" shall mean:
(1) Funds used as a direct or independent expenditure in support of a candidate, a slate of candidates, or a political party for any public election;
(2) Funds used in support of or opposition to any referendum or voter initiative;
(3) Funds used for any contribution to a political action committee; or
(4) Funds used to support a political action committee or other group for the purpose of making such expenditures.
3. If a deduction is made from an employee's paycheck for multiple purposes, the employer shall obtain from the entity to which the deducted funds are directed a statement assuring that no funds are used for political purposes or a statement of the maximum percentage of funds that are used for political purposes. The employer shall not deduct any funds beyond those specified for nonpolitical purposes without the express annual written permission of the employee.
4. Improper deductions for political purposes or inaccurate statements regarding the use of employer-collected funds for political purposes shall be subject to a fine no greater than ten thousand dollars per occurrence. The attorney general shall have the authority to issue reasonable regulations regarding the form of necessary permission from employees and statements by funded entities.
5. This section shall not apply to deductions for employee benefits, pensions, savings, health plans, or charitable contributions.
6. Nothing in this section is intended to or may be construed to preempt any requirement of federal law.
7. This section shall be construed broadly to achieve its purposes.
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