Sacramento, CA – Senate Bill 37, authored by State Senator Tony Strickland’s (R-Thousand Oaks) which requires state agencies to provide electronic pay stubs to employees who participate in the direct deposit program, unanimously passed the Senate Public Employment and Retirement Committee. According to the State Controller, Senate Bill 37 can save the State as much as $3.7 million dollars annually by cutting printing costs.

“Senate Bill 37 will take us into the 21st century. In a time of fiscal emergency we need to think about ways to save money and this is a step in the right direction,” said Senator Strickland.

Senate Bill 37 will allow state employees who participate in the direct deposit program to electronically receive their statement of earnings. Those employees who do not wish to participate have the option of continuing to receive a paper version of their statement. This bill will be contingent upon the funding of the State Controller’s 21st century project, which will have the capabilities to carry out this function.

“California is in financial crisis. Our unemployment rate last month hit a record high of 11.2 percent. It is times like these that legislators must push for ways to save our state valuable money,” said Senator Strickland.

Senate Bill 37 will now go to the appropriations committee.

Tony Strickland represents California Senate District 19, which includes portions of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties.