Bill > SB579

This bill amends Arkansas law to prohibit public employers from automatically deducting labor organization membership dues from most public employees' compensation. The bill provides detailed definitions for key terms, including "labor organization" (which includes labor unions and professional employee associations), "public employee" (a person working for wages for a public employer), and "public employer" (which encompasses state agencies, higher education institutions, courts, and local government entities). The legislation creates an important exception for public safety employees, who can still have labor organization dues deducted from their compensation. The bill specifically defines "public safety employees" as those with arrest powers, those working in law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical services, state defense, and other emergency protective services, including employees who support or direct such functions. By preventing automatic dues deductions for most public employees, the bill aims to limit the financial resources of labor organizations and potentially weaken their ability to represent workers' interests in public sector employment.

Government Affairs

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=sb579&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R