Last Friday, Governor Greitens approved Missouri House Bill 1413 (“HB 1413”). Once effective, HB 1413 will prohibit Missouri labor unions from withholding earnings from public employees for the purpose of paying any portion of dues or fees, without yearly written or electronic authorization. These restrictions will apply to both members and nonmembers of labor unions.

HB 1413 also prohibits labor unions from using any portion of dues or fees collected from public employees for political contributions, without informed written or electronic consent. The bill also prohibits labor unions from increasing dues or fees for employees that do not authorize the political contributions. Additionally, the labor unions may not require that members or nonmembers waive their right to authorize political contributions or deduction of fees, and waiver of these requirements cannot be made a condition of employment.