Bill > H1217

This bill modifies Florida's public employee collective bargaining laws by making several significant changes to how employee organizations can operate and be certified. The bill expands definitions related to employee organizations, including detailed descriptions of what constitutes "employee organization activities" and "representational employee organization activities," which now encompass a wide range of actions from political advocacy to representing employees in various proceedings. It revises the certification and recertification process for employee organizations, introducing new voting requirements that differ slightly for law enforcement, firefighting, and emergency services personnel. The bill prohibits public employers from denying employee organizations access to meetings, facilities, or communication systems, while also restricting employers from providing compensation for employee organization activities. Additionally, the bill allows for limited paid and unpaid time off for employee organization activities through collective bargaining agreements, with specific reporting and reimbursement requirements. The legislation also updates various cross-references in other statutes to align with these changes and provides exceptions for certain types of public safety employee bargaining units. These modifications aim to clarify and potentially restrict some aspects of public employee collective bargaining in Florida, with the changes set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Government Affairs

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1217