Rep. Glen Casasda (R-63) and Sen. Bill Ketron (R-13) filed HB0159/SB0136 which would prohibit public employees from having a payroll deduction to a political action committee, or for dues for membership organizations that use funds for political activities. The definition of political activity is construed in its broadest sense and includes, but is not limited to, organizations that do any of the following:
(1) Lobbying as defined in Tenn. Code Ann. ยง 3-6-301;
(2) Making contributions to any entity which engages in any form of political communication, including communications which mention the name of a political candidate;
(3) Engaging in or paying for public opinion polling;
(4) Engaging in or paying for any form of political communication, including communications which mention the name of a political candidate;
(5) Engaging in or paying for any type of political advertising in any medium;
(6) Telephone communication for any political purpose;
(7) Distributing political literature of any type; or
(8) Providing any type of in kind help or support to or for a political candidate.

The Bill is broadly captioned for Titles 3 (Legislature), 7 (Consolidated Governments), and 8 (Public Officers and Employees). It is likely this Bill would prohibit automatic payroll deductions to employee unions for public employees.