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Bill > H7082


RI H7082

RI H7082
Recognizes that municipal employees have the opportunity to utilize binding arbitration and establishes new factors for the arbitrators to consider. These factors include comparisons of wages/hourly conditions of employment in similarly skilled jobs.


summary

Introduced
01/14/2026
In Committee
01/14/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This act would recognize that municipal employees have the opportunity to utilize binding arbitration and would establish new factors for the arbitrators to consider. These factors would include comparisons of wages and hourly conditions of employment in similarly skilled jobs. This act would also grant the arbitrators power to render an award over all negotiated matters, including the expenditure of money. This act would take effect upon passage.

AI Summary

This bill recognizes that municipal employees have the right to use binding arbitration to resolve disputes with their employers and establishes new criteria for arbitrators to consider when making decisions. Specifically, arbitrators must now take into account comparisons of wages and hourly working conditions for similar jobs with comparable skills in the local area, as well as with municipal employers in similarly sized cities or towns. The bill also emphasizes the importance of the public's interest and welfare, and considers unique aspects of employment such as hazards, required qualifications, and job training. Furthermore, it clarifies that arbitrators' decisions on all negotiated matters, including financial expenditures, are final and binding, and that the arbitration process is intended as an alternative to striking for municipal employees.

Committee Categories

Labor and Employment

Sponsors (10)

Last Action

Introduced, referred to House Labor (on 01/14/2026)

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