State of California
   
   M E M O R A N D U M
   
   REFERENCE CODE:
   PML 96-057
   
   DATE:
   November 25, 1996
   
   TO:
   Accounting Officers
   Labor Relations Officers
   Department Claim Auditors 
   Travel and Relocation Liaisons
   
   FROM:
   Department of Personnel Administration
   Labor Relations Division
   
   SUBJECT:
   State Bar of California Dues/Professional Leave - 1997
   
   CONTACT:
   Terrie Jordan, Statewide Coordinator, Travel and
   Relocation Program
   (916) 324-9377, CALNET 454-9377
   Office Vision: DPA(TJJORDAN)
   Internet: TJJORDAN@SMTP.DPA.CA.GOV
   Fax: (916) 322-0765
   
   
   The Department of Personnel Administration (DPA) is
   approving the following allowances for reimbursement of
   the 1997 State Bar of California dues.
   
   The State shall reimburse the cost of bar dues for each
   represented Unit 2 employee for whom bar membership is
   required as a condition of employment.  For other
   employees in the Unit, the State shall either provide
   reimbursement for bar dues or two days per calendar year
   of professional leave without loss of compensation, at the
   option of the department.  This leave must be requested
   and approved in the same manner as vacation leave.  If the
   employee is working less than full-time, the bar dues
   reimbursement or professional leave shall be prorated. 
   Professional leave credit shall not carry over from year-
   to-year.
   
   In addition, job-related local or specialty (sections) bar
   dues may be reimbursed at each department's discretion for
   each employee for whom State Bar membership is required as
   a condition of employment.  Any amount to be reimbursed
   shall be determined by each department.  If local or
   specialty bar dues are reimbursed for less than full-time
   employees, the reimbursed amount shall be prorated.  Each
   department may delay reimbursement of any increase in bar
   dues to no later than the end of each calendar year.
   
   Excluded employees, who are required to maintain State Bar
   membership, shall be entitled to the same allowances as
   provided in DPA Rule 599.921.  Job-related local or
   specialty (sections) bar dues may be reimbursed at each
   department's discretion for each employee of whom State
   Bar membership is required as a condition of employment. 
   Any amount to be reimbursed shall be determined by each
   department.  If local or specialty (sections) bar dues are
   reimbursed for less than full-time employees, the
   reimbursed amount shall be prorated.  Departments, at
   their discretion, may prorate basic bar dues for less than
   full-time employees or employees who begin or end State
   service during 1997.
   
   As a result of Keller vs. State Bar of California (1990)
   110 S. Ct. 2228, DPA has determined that it would not be
   appropriate for the State of California to pay for
   activities which are political or ideological.  The State
   Bar has authorized a deduction of $1.00 from the 1997
   membership fee for those who object to expenditures for
   activities with "political of ideological coloration."
   
   Those employees who wish to pay the full membership fees
   must pay the State Bar of California directly and request
   reimbursement from the State.  All requests for
   reimbursement must contain:  proof of payment, a copy of
   the annual fee statement issued by the State Bar
   Association, and a copy of the employee's membership card. 
   Employees may not claim reimbursement for the $1.00
   deduction (see Attachment Line D - Hudson Deduction). 
   Departments that receive requests for full reimbursement
   must either:  reduce the claim by $1.00 and notify the
   claimant of the correction, or return the claim to the
   claimant for correction.
   
   Departments may schedule payments of bar dues, less the
   $1.00 Hudson Deduction, through the State Controller's
   Office, Audits Division.  The check must be payable to the
   "State Bar of California" and sent with the remittance
   portion of the annual fee statement to State Bar of
   California, Attention Membership Services, 555 Franklin
   Street, San Francisco, CA  94102-4498.  Copies of the
   annual fee statements (see Attachment Line F) must
   accompany the claim schedule and care must be taken to
   identify the employees that the warrant(s) cover.
   
   The following rates for 1997 reflect the $1.00 reduction
   for the Hudson Deduction:
   
   State Bar of California - Active Members
   For employees admitted prior to February 1, 1994 - $457.00
   For employees admitted on February 1, 1994 through January
   31, 1996 - $389.00
   For employees admitted on February 1, 1996 and after -
   $358.00
   
   State Bar of California - Inactive Members
   For all employees - $49.00
   
   
   In addition to reimbursement for bar dues, excluded
   employees are entitled to reimbursement for up to $100.00
   annually for membership in one professional society or for
   one professional license fee.  The membership must be in a
   professional society which engages in activities directly
   related to the employee's scientific or professional
   discipline.  The professional license must also be related
   to the employee's scientific or professional discipline
   (DPA Rule 599.922.2).
   
   If Accounting or Labor Relations staff have any questions,
   please call Terrie Jordan at (916) 324-9377, CALNET 454-
   9377.  Employees with questions should be directed to
   their departmental Accounting Office.  
   
   
   
   Rick McWilliam
   Chief of Labor Relations
   
   Attachment to this memo will not be included in the office
   vision version of this PML, but will be distributed via
   regular mail.