Subcommittee advances bill requiring secret-ballot union votes for state-funded projects

Representative James Overdorf presented CS for HB 1387 — the "Taxpayer Dollars Protect Workers Act" — to the Transportation Economic Development Budget Subcommittee and said the measure would require that, if a company receiving state economic development dollars chooses to recognize a union, the recognition must occur by secret ballot rather than through card-check processes.

Overdorf said an amendment that will be considered in a later policy meeting will clarify that subcontractors are not subject to the same restrictions. "We're going to be reviewing the subcontractor agreements and making sure that subcontractors are not subject to this," he said. On fiscal questions, Overdorf said he did not foresee a fiscal impact from requiring union formation by secret ballot: "I do not see a fiscal impact," he told the panel.

Public testimony included extended opposition from Dr. Rich Templin, who argued the bill represents a governance shift that could effectively tell employers how to operate when they accept public money and could interfere with national neutrality or labor peace agreements that some large employers use. "You are essentially telling a business owner...if you get any state money, we're going to tell you what to do," he said, warning that such restrictions could deter companies that rely on national agreements. Theresa King of Florida Building Trades told the committee she appreciated the sponsor's engagement but asked for a tweak to ensure apprenticeship programs that receive grants would not be adversely affected.

Representative Gwendolyn Cross and others raised concerns that the requirement could make some public-private partnerships more difficult when private partners rely on union labor in skilled trades. Overdorf responded that the policy is intended to preserve a secret-ballot standard consistent with the National Labor Relations Act while allowing companies to form unions if they choose.

After debate and public testimony, the committee adopted the measure as a committee substitute and reported CS for HB 1387 favorably. Recorded 'No' votes during the roll call included Ranking Member Hart Lohman, Representative Cross, Representative Daley, and Representative Spencer; the motion was reported favorably by the committee.

The committee indicated an amendment addressing subcontractors and related clarifications will be handled in a future policy meeting; no further committee action was taken at this hearing.