LouisianaSB 3122026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

EMPLOYMENT: Provides relative to union dues and fees for certain public employees. (8/1/26)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Safety and transit workers excluded

Beginning August 1, 2026, law enforcement employees, mass transit employees, and firefighters are excluded from Louisiana's R.S. 42:457. That section's union dues and fee rules, including its employee protections, do not apply to these workers.

Public workers can stop dues deductions

Beginning August 1, 2026, covered Louisiana public employees, including education workers, can electronically ask their employer to stop union dues or fees. Employers must stop deductions immediately and promptly notify the union electronically. If payroll is already submitted or processed, deductions must stop as soon as practical, no later than the next paycheck. Employees owe no new union debt after submitting the request, and cannot give up their right to end financial obligations. These rules cover new collective bargaining agreements or contracts and existing agreements changed, extended, or affected by a new or changed memorandum of understanding.

Worker dues safeguards, new union costs

Beginning August 1, 2026, covered employers need voluntary, specific, written permission before deducting union dues or fees. State, parish, and city employers may choose whether to offer these deductions. The attorney general's form must include the employee's full name and signature; public-employee forms also require their position and organization. A 14-point bold statement must explain the right to join or not join, voluntary dues, protection from discrimination, and cancellation at any time. Employers must confirm permission by email before deductions begin, using another suitable method when the employee has no work email. Unions must send electronic withdrawal notices at least annually and prove they sent them. Unions pay documented administrative costs for collecting dues or stopping deductions. State payroll sends withheld money to unions on the Division of Administration's regular schedule.

Transit employers can seek dues waivers

Beginning August 1, 2026, transit employers can seek a waiver after receiving notice from the U.S. Department of Labor. The notice must say transit worker protections fail federal law, 49 U.S.C. 5333(b), putting continued federal transit funding at risk. The secretary of Louisiana Works can waive state dues requirements only as much as needed to meet that federal law. This process can protect funding eligibility while setting aside state requirements. The law specifies no funding amount.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Kirk Talbot
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Michael Melerine
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 189 • No: 83

Senate vote • 5/31/2026

Conference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 25 yeas and 9 nays.

Yes: 25 • No: 9

House vote • 5/31/2026

Conference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 62, nays 32. The Conference Committee Report was adopted.

Yes: 62 • No: 32

House vote • 5/27/2026

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 60, nays 38. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 60 • No: 38

House vote • 5/20/2026

Reported with amendments

Yes: 7 • No: 4

Senate vote • 5/5/2026

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 756.
6/2/2026Senate
Effective date 8/1/2026.
6/2/2026Senate
Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate.
6/1/2026Senate
Signed by the Speaker of the House.
6/1/2026House
Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate.
6/1/2026Senate
Scheduled for floor debate on 05/31/2026.
5/31/2026House
Conference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 25 yeas and 9 nays.
5/31/2026Senate
Notice of Senate adoption of Conference Committee Report.
5/31/2026House
Conference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 62, nays 32. The Conference Committee Report was adopted.
5/31/2026House
Notice House adopted the Conference Committee Report.
5/31/2026Senate
Rules suspended. Called from the Calendar.
5/29/2026Senate
Notice of Senate rejecting House amendments.
5/29/2026House
Senate conference committee members appointed: Talbot, Lambert, and Seabaugh.
5/29/2026Senate
House conferees appointed: Melerine, Crews, and Echols.
5/29/2026House
Conference Committee report received. Lies over under the rules.
5/29/2026House
Conference committee report received.
5/29/2026Senate
Notice House Conference Committee members appointed.
5/29/2026Senate
Notice of Senate conferees appointed.
5/29/2026House
Read by title and returned to the Calendar, subject to call.
5/28/2026Senate
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 60, nays 38. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
5/27/2026House
Received from the House with amendments.
5/27/2026Senate
Read by title, amended, passed to 3rd reading.
5/26/2026House
Scheduled for floor debate on 05/27/2026.
5/26/2026House
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.
5/25/2026House
Reported with amendments (7-4). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.
5/20/2026House

Bill Text

Engrossed
PDF
Enrolled
PDF
Introduced
PDF
Reengrossed
PDF

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