SCS/HB 927 - This act relates to the political activities of certain state employees.

This act allows executive branch state employees to participate in political activities. Exceptions apply when on duty, in any place where official duties are taking place, while wearing a state employee uniform or other such identifying insignia or when using any state vehicle.

Such employees also may not use their positions to affect the results of an election, to knowingly solicit or receive a political contribution from a subordinate except on a voluntary basis, to run for nomination or candidate for election, or to solicit or discourage political activity by certain persons with a connection to the employing department of the employee.

The state employee retains the right to vote and the right of political expression.

Threatening or coercing a state employee to engage or not engage in any political activity is a Class 3 election offense, punishable by up to one year imprisonment and a fine of up to $2,000.

Non-lobbyist witnesses testifying before a committee of the General Assembly shall not be required to provide their addresses if the committee determines that such information would be dangerous to their physical health.
MARGARET J. TOALSON

SA 1 - CHANGES SECTION NUMBERS: 105.155 BECOMES 36.152, 105.156 BECOMES 36.155, 105.157 BECOMES 36.157 AND 105.158 BECOMES 36.159. SA 2 - STATE EMPLOYEES CANNOT BE PROHIBITED FROM COMMUNICATING WITH STATE SENATOR OR REPRESENTATIVE. SA 1 FOR SA 2 - INCLUDES EMPLOYEES OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH AND THE OVERSIGHT DIVISION. SA 2 FOR SA 2 - APPLIES WHILE OFF DUTY, ON ANNUAL LEAVE OR WITH SUPERVISOR'S PERMISSION. SA 3 - EMPLOYEES MAY NOT ENGAGE IN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES BY USING STATE RESOURCES OR FACILITIES. SA 4 - ANYONE CONVICTED OF VIOLATING SECTION 105.158 (CANNOT THREATEN OR COERCE POLITICAL ACTIVITY) SHALL LOSE POSITION IN THE AGENCY. SA 6 - STATE EMPLOYEES MAY NOT ENGAGE IN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES DURING NORMAL WORKING HOURS, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE EMPLOYEE IS ON DUTY. SA 7 - CHANGES DEFINITION OF "EMPLOYEE" TO ANY INDIVIDUAL HOLDING A POSITION SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 36, RSMO, (MERIT SYSTEM), AND REMOVES VOLUNTARY BASIS EXCEPTION TO PROHIBITION AGAINST SOLICITING, ACCEPTING OR RECEIVING A POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION FROM A SUBORDINATE EMPLOYEE. SA 8 - DEFINES "POLITICAL ACTIVITY", MAKES PROHIBITIONS ON EMPLOYEES MANDATORY (CHANGES "MAY" TO "SHALL"), AND PROHIBITS A STATE EMPLOYEE FROM ENGAGING IN POLITICAL ACTIVITY WHILE RECEIVING STATE MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT ON A PRIVATE MOTOR VEHICLE. SA 10 - ALLOWS EMPLOYEES TO RUN FOR POLITICAL OFFICE IF THEY TAKE A LEAVE OF ABSENCE AT LEAST 60 DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION, AND ADDS EMPLOYEES OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO THE DEFINITION OF EMPLOYEE. SA 11 - ANY PERSON MAKING A FALSE ACCUSATION REGARDING ANY PUNISHABLE ACTION UNDER SECTION 105.158 SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME PENALTY AS THE PERSON FALSELY ACCUSED. SA 12 - NO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR POLITICAL BELIEFS AND EXPRESSION. SA 13 - REMOVES PROHIBITION AGAINST EMPLOYEE'S USE OF AUTHORITY OR INFLUENCE TO AFFECT ELECTION RESULTS. SA 15 - PROHIBITS THE OFFERING OR RECEIPT OF HONORARIA FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS, PROHIBITS LOBBYISTS FROM PROVIDING ADMISSION TO SPORTING EVENTS OUTSIDE THE STATE. SA 16 - PROHIBITS THE STATE FROM RELEASING PERSONNEL INFORMATION ABOUT STATE EMPLOYEES WITHOUT CONSENT, WITH EXCEPTIONS.