A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT amending the state personnel act to prohibit public employers from making payroll deductions for political purposes.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 5 of Chapter 126 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 126‑13.1.  Payroll deductions for political purposes prohibited.
(a)	The following definitions apply in this section:
(1)	Labor organization. – Any lawful organization that is composed, in whole or in part, of employees and that exists for the purpose, in whole or in part, of dealing with employers concerning grievances, labor disputes, wages, rates of pay, hours of employment, or other terms and conditions of employment. The term includes each employee association and union for public employees. The term does not include organizations governed by the National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. § 151, et seq., or the Railroad Labor Act, 45 U.S.C. § 151, et seq.
(2)	Political purposes. – An act done with the intent or in a way to influence or tend to influence, directly or indirectly, any person to refrain from voting or to vote for or against any candidate for public office at any caucus, political convention, primary, or election.
(3)	Public employee. – A person employed by any of the following:
a.	The State of North Carolina or any administrative subunit of the State.
b.	The University of North Carolina.
c.	The Community College System.
d.	A city, county, local board of education, authority, special service district, or any other political subdivision of the State.
(4)	Public employer. – An employer that is any of the following:
a.	The State of North Carolina or any administrative subunit of the State.
b.	The University of North Carolina.
c.	The Community College System.
d.	A city, county, local board of education, authority, special service district, or any other political subdivision of the State.
(5)	Union dues. – Dues, fees, assessments, or other monies required as a condition of membership or participation in a labor organization.
(b)	A public employer may not deduct from the wages of its employees any amounts to be paid to (i) a candidate for political office, (ii) a personal campaign committee, (iii) a political action committee, (iv) a political issues committee, (v) a registered political party, (vi) a political fund, or (vii) any entity established by a labor organization to solicit, collect, or distribute monies primarily for political purposes.
(c)	Notwithstanding G.S. 126‑5 or any other provision of law, this section applies to all public employees regardless of whether the employees are exempt or not exempt from this Chapter.
(d)	The Attorney General may bring a civil action to require a public employer to comply with the requirements of this section."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.