HB 602 Summary

• Adds policy goal to state ethics law ensuring taxpayer funds are not used to support teachers unions, with civil penalties up to $2,500 for knowing violations.

• Prohibits school officials from using taxpayer funds to promote teachers unions through compensation increases intended for dues, sharing employee information without consent, coercing employee interaction with unions, or distributing union materials.

• Permits professional employees to engage in representational union activities during work hours without pay loss only if a negotiation agreement exists, the union reports time spent and reimburses the district within 30 days, and the district invoices for pro rata compensation costs twice yearly.

• Removes exemption allowing teachers to attend state teachers association meetings without making up time, and requires negotiation agreements to expire annually by June 30 with no multi-year or evergreen provisions except for non-compensation items under specific conditions.

• Effective date July 1, 2024, with severability provision and declaration of emergency.