Florida Republicans recently introduced companion bills in the state legislature that would prohibit certain public-sector employees from having union dues withdrawn from their pay. 

About the bills

Senate Bill 256 and House Bill 1445 state, “[A]n employee organization that has been certified as a bargaining agent may not have its dues and uniform assessments deducted and collected by the employer from the salaries of those employees in the unit. A public employee may pay dues and uniform assessments directly to the employee organization that has been certified as the bargaining agent.”

The bills would also require public-sector employees wanting to join a union to sign a membership authorization form including the following language:

The State of Florida is a right-to-work state. Membership or non-membership in a labor union is not required as a condition of employment, and union membership and payment of union dues and assessments are voluntary. Each person has the right to join and pay dues to a labor union or to refrain from joining and paying dues to a labor union. No employee may be discriminated against in any manner for joining and financially supporting a labor union or for refusing to join or financially support a labor union. 

Under the legislation, unions would be required to allow members to revoke membership at any time. 

The bills would also amend registration and renewal requirements for certified bargaining agents, including requiring recertification if the number of dues-paying union members is less than 60% of eligible employees in the unit. 

Unions representing law enforcement officers, correctional officers, correctional probation officers, and firefighters are exempted from the bills’ provisions. According to Orlando Weekly’s McKenna Schueler, SB 256 sponsor Sen. Blaise Ingoglia (R) said the exemptions were included “because these brave heroes often work second and third shifts while risking their lives to save others,” stating, “I cannot in good conscience ask them, after a 14-hour shift with no sleep, to meet with union reps to give them their check.”

Ingoglia filed SB 256 on Feb. 28. The Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee voted 5-3 along party lines in favor of a committee substitute bill during a hearing on March 7. The substitute bill removed a requirement for unions to pledge that union officials would not earn more than the highest-paid employee in the unit. The substitute bill was referred to the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee on March 9. 

Rep. Dean Black (R) filed HB 1445 on March 3. The bill was referred to the House State Affairs Committee on March 9.

Republicans have had a trifecta in Florida since 2011 and currently hold veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate.  

To read about Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) support for these proposals in the Dec. 23 edition of Union Station, click here. 

Perspectives

Support

Ingoglia said, “One of the ideas here is to make sure that the union members are getting the best possible union representation as possible. And one of that is to make sure that they’re having face-to-face conversations with their union representatives.”

Vincent Vernuccio, a representative for the Mackinac Center’s Workers for Opportunity initiative, said, “[SB 256] is about transparency, accountability, good bookkeeping, and democracy. … This bill is about the rights of public employees: making sure they’re informed and they can exercise them.” 

Freedom Foundation representative Rusty Brown said, “There’s nothing in this bill that curtails organizing or collective bargaining for wages, benefits, or working conditions, which is what a union should be doing. And when you have a union whose membership is half [the people they represent] … then that could be indicative of a problem. … [This bill] gives the employees represented by the union the opportunity to vote … if they would like to continue allowing that union to represent them.”  

Opposition

The Florida Education Association said, “SB 256 seeks to silence the voices of educators and union members, and we must join together to let legislators know this bill is bad for educators and bad for public education.”

Florida Education Association president Andrew Spar said, “We see a piece of legislation that, quite honestly, is somewhat insulting to teachers and staff in the state of Florida, basically telling them that they don’t know better and someone big government has to watch out over them.” 

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said, “This noxious attack on the freedom of Florida’s teachers, staff and professors to join together and work together will irrevocably harm the children and communities they serve. … [Teachers] need a pay raise and support, not additional obstacles.” 

Michigan HB 4004 update

Following up on last month’s Union Station: The Michigan House of Representatives passed a substitute bill for House Bill 4004—which would repeal a section of law prohibiting public employees from being required to pay union fees—on March 8. The substitute bill states that a provision allowing non-member employees to be required to pay union fees would go into effect if the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling in Janus v. AFSCME were reversed or limited, or if a relevant constitutional amendment were ratified: 

A public employer and a bargaining representative may enter into a collective bargaining agreement that requires all public employees in the bargaining unit to share equally in the financial support of the bargaining representative. This act does not, and a law or policy of a local government must not, prohibit or limit an agreement that requires public employees in the bargaining unit, as a condition of continued employment, to pay to the bargaining representative membership dues or service fees. This subsection becomes effective immediately upon, and applies to the extent permitted by, either of the following:

(a) A decision or ruling by the United States Supreme Court that reverses or limits, in whole or in part, Janus v AFSCME, Council 31, ___US___; 138 S Ct 2448 (2018).

(b) The ratification of an amendment to the United States Constitution that restores the ability to require, as a condition of employment, a public employee who is not a member of a bargaining representative to pay, under any circumstances, fees, including agency fees, to the bargaining representative.

The substitute bill also includes a $1 million appropriation for the implementation of the act. According to the Detroit Free Press’ Clara Hendrickson, “The appropriation means that the legislation is not subject to a public referendum in which voters could reject the law. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in her first term issued an executive directive promising to veto any legislation ‘that circumvents the right to a referendum.’”

The Democratic Party gained a trifecta in Michigan as a result of the 2022 elections. Democrats hold a 56-54 majority in the House and a 20-18 majority in the Senate.   

Litigation updates

U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon 

• Crowe v. Oregon State Bar: The district court ruled in favor of the defendants on Feb. 14. (The Ninth Circuit sent the case back to the district court in February 2021.) 
• Gruber v. Oregon State Bar: The district court ruled in favor of the defendants on Feb. 14. (The Ninth Circuit sent the case back to the district court in February 2021.) The plaintiffs appealed to the Ninth Circuit on Feb. 23. 

U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

• Peltz-Steele v. UMass Faculty Federation: A First Circuit panel affirmed the district court’s ruling in favor of the defendants on Feb. 14.

U.S. Supreme Court

• Ochoa v. Public Consulting Group: Supreme Court declined to take the case on Feb. 21.
• O’Callaghan v. Drake: Was scheduled for Feb. 17 conference, rescheduled on Feb. 15.
• Savas v. California State Law Enforcement Agency: Was scheduled for Feb. 17 conference, rescheduled on Feb. 15.
• Kurk v. Los Rios Classified Employees Association: Response deadline extended to March 20.

What we’re reading

• The Texan, “Texas Supreme Court Appeal Seeks to Prohibit City of Austin from Paying Union Employees Public Salary,” March 3, 2023
• WSJ Opinion, “Public Unions vs. the People,” March 3, 2023 
• Bloomberg Law, “Oklahoma Bar Must Face Part of Compelled Speech Challenge,” March 2, 2023
• Colorado Newsline, “Colorado bill to add labor protections for public workers advances in the Legislature,” March 1, 2023
• The New York Times, “Biden Nominates Julie Su as U.S. Labor Secretary,” Feb. 28, 2023
• Wicked Local, “Right-to-strike bill filed, Massachusetts teachers hoping for support,” Feb. 27, 2023 
• Maryland Matters, “Opinion: Collective bargaining rights for academic workers will strengthen our public higher education institutions,” Feb. 22, 2023
• Empire Center, “The Janus Effect,” Feb. 21, 2023
• Montana Free Press, “Right-to-work resurfaces at the Montana Legislature, as do dozens of pro-union opponents,” Feb. 17, 2023 
• The74, “Mergers and Acquisitions: How the National Education Association’s Membership Numbers Keep Going Up,” Feb. 15, 2023
• Courthouse News Service, “Oregon State Bar prevails in challenge to compulsory membership,” Feb. 14, 2023 
• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “State Supreme Court will not weigh in on UW Health nurses’ unionization efforts,” Feb. 13, 2023

The big picture

Number of relevant bills by state

We are currently tracking 163 pieces of legislation dealing with public-sector employee union policy. On the map below, a darker shade of green indicates a greater number of relevant bills. Click here for a complete list of all the bills we’re tracking. 

Number of relevant bills by current legislative status

Number of relevant bills by partisan status of sponsor(s) 

Recent legislative actions

Below is a complete list of relevant legislative actions taken since our last issue.

• Alaska HB46: This bill would require the Department of Health to bargain with childcare provider unions.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • House Labor & Commerce Committee hearing Feb. 20. Referred to House Health & Social Services Committee instead of House State Affairs Committee Feb. 27. House Labor & Commerce Committee hearing March 1. House Labor & Commerce Committee recommends committee substitute. Referred to House Health & Social Services Committee March 6.
• California AB1484: This bill would require temporary public employees hired to perform similar work to that of permanent public employees to be included in the same bargaining unit as permanent employees, upon the union’s request. 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Introduced Feb. 17, may be heard in committee March 20. 
• California AB1672: This bill, called the “In-Home Supportive Services Employer-Employee Relations Act,” would stipulate that the state is the employer of record for individual in-home supportive services providers for collective bargaining purposes. The bill would stipulate procedures for collective bargaining.  
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Introduced Feb. 17, may be heard in committee March 20. 
• California SB334: This bill would authorize the Public Employment Relations Board to include the impact of net-zero carbon emissions initiatives on public employees when conducting studies of employer-employee relations.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Referred to Senate Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement Committee Feb. 15.
• California SB716: This bill, which would enact the Excluded Employee Arbitration Act, would allow a union representing certain excluded employees to request binding arbitration in certain circumstances.
  • Democratic sponsorship.
  • Introduced, read first time, referred to Senate Rules Committee for assignment Feb. 16. Referred to Senate Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement Committee and Senate Judiciary Committee March 1. 
• Colorado SB111: This bill would give certain public employees the right to express views about union representation and workplace issues, engage in “protected, concerted activity for the purpose of mutual aid or protection,” participate in the political process while not at work, and join or not join a union. It would prohibit public employers from retaliating against employees for engaging in such activities. It would stipulate that the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment is responsible for enforcement. 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Senate Local Government & Housing Committee hearing Feb. 28. Committee referred amended bill to Senate Appropriations Committee.
• Connecticut HB06720: This bill would give state managerial employees the right to bargain collectively. 
  • Committee-introduced bill. 
  • Referred to Joint Labor and Public Employees Committee Feb. 16. Public hearing Feb. 23, favorable vote Feb. 28. Filed with Legislative Commissioners’ Office March 1. 
• Connecticut SB00912: This bill would extend collective bargaining rights to probate court employees as of Oct. 1, 2023.
  • Committee-introduced bill. 
  • Joint Labor and Public Employees Committee favorable report Feb. 16, filed with Legislative Commissioners’ Office. Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis Feb. 27. Reported out of Legislative Commissioners’ Office March 6, tabled for Senate calendar. 
• Connecticut SB01199: This bill would provide that anyone holding an adjunct professor permit from the State Board of Education shall be a member of the exclusive bargaining unit for certified employees, unless the employer and bargaining unit agree otherwise. 
  • Committee-introduced bill.
  • Referred to Joint Education Committee March 9. Joint Education Committee public hearing March 15. 
• Delaware SB45: This bill would make exceptions to a law disqualifying individuals from unemployment benefits for two weeks if their unemployment was the result of a labor dispute work stoppage, including if the labor dispute was “caused by the failure or refusal of the employer to comply with an agreement or contract between the employer and the individual, including a collective bargaining agreement with a union representing the individual[.]” 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Introduced, assigned to Senate Labor Committee Feb. 17.  
• Florida H1445 and Florida S0256: These companion bills would require public employees who want to be union members to sign a membership authorization form including language specified in the bill. The bills would require unions to allow members to revoke membership at any time. The bills would prohibit public employers from collecting union dues from employees’ pay. The bills would amend registration and renewal requirements for certified bargaining agents. Unions representing law enforcement officers, correctional officers, correctional probation officers, and firefighters are excepted from the provisions of the bills. 
  • Republican sponsorship. 
  • H1445: Filed March 3. First reading March 7. Referred to House State Affairs Committee and assigned to Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law & Government Operations Subcommittee March 9.
  • S0256: Filed Feb. 28, referred to Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee and Senate Fiscal Policy Committee March 1. Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing March 7, substitute bill reported favorably. Committee substitute referred to Senate Fiscal Policy Committee March 9. 
• Georgia SB166: This bill would allow public employees to organize and bargain collectively. The bill would establish the Georgia Public Employees Relations Board. It would repeal a law prohibiting payroll deductions for organizations engaging in collective bargaining. It would prohibit public employees from striking.  
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Introduced Feb. 14, referred to Senate Insurance and Labor Committee Feb. 15.
• Hawaii HB334: This bill would remove state and county employer contributions to the state’s health benefits trust fund from the scope of public-sector collective bargaining negotiations.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Reported from House Labor & Government Operations Committee as amended Feb. 13, recommending passage on second reading and referral to House Finance Committee. Passed second reading as amended and referred to House Finance Committee Feb. 13. House Finance Committee hearing Feb. 27. Committee recommends the measure be passed, unamended. Passed third reading March 3. Senate received from House March 7. Passed first reading March 7.
• Hawaii HB1205: This bill would stipulate that public employee unions are not required to provide grievance representation to members of the bargaining unit who do not pay dues, dues equivalents, or reasonable costs of representation.
  • Democratic sponsorship.
  • House Labor & Government Operations Committee hearing Feb. 14. Committee recommends that the measure be passed with amendments. Passed second reading as amended, referred to House Finance Committee Feb. 16. House Finance Committee hearing Feb. 27. Committee recommends the measure be passed, unamended. Passed third reading March 3. Senate received from House March 7. Passed first reading March 7.  
• Illinois HB5107 (2022 session): This bill would define educational supervisors (e.g., principals and assistant principals) as educational employees for the purpose of collective bargaining. The bill would not allow educational supervisors in positions requiring an administrative license to strike. The bill would only apply to districts organized under Article 34 of the Illinois School Code, which applies to cities with a population of more than 500,000.  
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Governor signed Feb. 10. 
• Illinois HB1083: This bill would stipulate that any collective bargaining provision limiting a public employer’s ability to investigate employee conduct is unenforceable. 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Referred to House Labor & Commerce Committee Feb. 21. Hearings March 1, March 8.
• Illinois HB1089: This bill would prohibit collective bargaining agreements between public employers and police unions from allowing unconstitutional police conduct. A collective bargaining agreement allowing unconstitutional police conduct would be void.      
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Referred to House Judiciary – Criminal Committee Feb. 21. Hearings Feb. 28, March 7, March 9.
• Illinois HB1120: This bill would require certified charter school contract renewals to include a union neutrality clause stating that the school agrees to be “neutral regarding the unionization of any of its employees …,” to provide “labor organization access at reasonable times…,” and to recognize unions “through a majority card check verified by a neutral third-party arbitrator[.]”
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • House Labor & Commerce Committee hearings Feb. 15, Feb. 22, March 1, March 8. Committee recommends “do pass” March 8.  
• Illinois HB2489: This bill would amend the definitions of “managerial employee,”  “supervisor,” and “unit” in the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. The bill would stipulate that public employers may bargain with managerial employee bargaining units. It would provide that the Illinois Labor Relations Board should use job functions instead of job titles in unit descriptions.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • First reading Feb. 15, referred to House Rules Committee. Assigned to House Labor & Commerce Committee Feb. 23. House Labor & Commerce Committee hearings March 1, March 8. 
• Illinois HB2863: This bill would amend the definitions of “managerial employee,” “supervisor,” and “unit” in the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. The bill would stipulate that public employers may bargain with managerial employee bargaining units. It would provide that the Illinois Labor Relations Board should use job functions instead of job titles in unit descriptions. 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • First reading, referred to House Rules Committee Feb. 16. 
• Illinois HB3058: This bill would stipulate that, for the purpose of dispute resolution, “units of security employees of a public employer” includes units of county correctional or detention officers, probation officers, and public safety telecommunicators.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • First reading Feb. 17, referred to House Rules Committee. Assigned to House Labor & Commerce Committee Feb. 23. House Labor & Commerce Committee hearings March 1, March 8. 
• Illinois HB3094: This bill would stipulate that any provision of a peace officer collective bargaining agreement is unenforceable if it conflicts with a requirement in the bill that certain arbitration decisions are subject to administrative review.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • First reading, referred to House Rules Committee Feb. 17. 
• Illinois HB3114: This bill would amend the definition of police units “supervisors” in the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • First reading Feb. 17, referred to House Rules Committee. Assigned to House Labor & Commerce Committee Feb. 28. House Labor & Commerce Committee hearing March 8. Committee recommends “do pass” March 8.
• Illinois HB3313: This bill would stipulate that the Illinois Labor Relations Board must determine whether an employer violating the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act by refusing to bargain collectively in good faith with an exclusive representative “undermined or significantly impacted the collective bargaining process.” If so, the board must include the option of interest arbitration in its order. The bill would also stipulate that the board may order make-whole relief.
  • Democratic sponsorship.
  • First reading Feb. 17, referred to House Rules Committee. Assigned to House Labor & Commerce Committee Feb. 28. House Labor & Commerce Committee hearing March 8. Committee recommends “do pass” March 8.
• Illinois SB1813: This bill would stipulate that any provision of a peace officer collective bargaining agreement is unenforceable if it conflicts with a requirement in the bill that certain arbitration decisions are subject to administrative review.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • First reading, referred to Senate Assignments Committee Feb. 9. 
• Illinois SB2371: This bill would amend the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act to state that certain assistant state’s attorneys, assistant public defenders, assistant appellate defenders, assistant appellate prosecutors, and Cook County Public Guardian attorneys are not managerial employees for collective bargaining purposes.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • First reading Feb. 10, referred to Senate Assignments Committee. Assigned to Senate Labor Committee Feb. 28. Senate committee amendment No. 1 referred to Assignments March 3. Senate Labor Committee hearing March 8. Committee recommends “do pass as amended” March 8.  
• Illinois SB2410: This bill would amend the definitions of “managerial employee,” “supervisor,” and “unit” in the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. The bill would stipulate that public employers may bargain with managerial employee bargaining units. It would provide that the Illinois Labor Relations Board should use job functions instead of job titles in unit descriptions.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • First reading, referred to Senate Assignments Committee Feb. 10. Assigned to Senate Executive Committee Feb. 28. 
• Illinois SB2430: This bill would stipulate that the Illinois Labor Relations Board must determine whether an employer violating the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act by refusing to bargain collectively in good faith with an exclusive representative “undermined or significantly impacted the collective bargaining process.” If so, the board must include the option of interest arbitration in its order. The bill would also stipulate that the board may order monetary make-whole relief including consequential damages and front pay.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • First reading, referred to Senate Assignments Committee Feb. 10. Assigned to Senate Labor Committee Feb. 28. 
• Iowa SF458: This bill would amend the scope of public employee collective bargaining negotiations. It would outline requirements for exclusive representative certification. The bill would repeal a prohibition on payroll deductions for union dues and require union dues payroll deductions to be collected for one year after a public employee chooses to have union dues deducted. 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Introduced, referred to Senate Workforce Committee Feb. 28. Assigned to subcommittee March 7.
• Kentucky HB364: This bill would prohibit a state public retirement employer from deducting union dues or fees, or funds for union political activities, from a state public retirement employee’s pay. The bill would require state public employers to notify employees of their right not to join a union. It would prohibit state public employers from collecting public employee financial information and providing it to unions.
  • Republican sponsorship. 
  • Introduced Feb. 17, first reading Feb. 21, referred to House Economic Development & Workforce Investment Committee. Hearing Feb. 23.  Reported favorably, second reading, referred to House Rules Committee with committee substitute. 
• Kentucky HB487: This bill would stipulate that “nothing in this chapter, or in any other statute of this state, shall preclude a public employer from making an agreement with a labor organization to require as a condition of employment membership therein on or after the thirtieth day following the beginning of such employment or on the effective date of the agreement.”
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Introduced Feb. 21, referred to House Committee on Committees.
• Kentucky SB7: This bill would prohibit public employers from deducting union dues or fees, or funds for union political activities, from public employees’ pay without written authorization. The bill would prohibit public employers from assisting a union in collecting funds or employee financial information.
  • Republican sponsorship. 
  • Introduced Feb. 14. Referred to Senate Education Committee Feb. 16. Hearing Feb. 23, reported favorably. Second reading, referred to Senate Rules Committee Feb. 24. Floor amendment filed March 7.
• Maine LD1095: This bill would make an exception to the time limit for school administrative units and employee bargaining agents to meet for collective bargaining negotiations requested by the other party for “circumstances relating to wages, hours, working conditions or contract grievance arbitration.”
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Referred to Joint Labor and Housing Committee March 9. 
• Maryland HB65: This bill would extend collective bargaining rights to certain county public library employees. The bill would prohibit employees from striking.  
  • Democratic sponsorship (HB65), bipartisan sponsorship (SB352).
  • House Appropriations Committee reported favorably, with amendments, on Feb. 27. House second reading passed with amendments Feb. 28. Third reading passed March 2. Referred to Senate Finance Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee March 3.   
• Maryland SB284: This bill would extend collective bargaining rights to certain employees of the Trustees of the Walters Art Gallery.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Senate Finance Committee hearing Feb. 16.
• Maryland SB298: This bill would grant collective bargaining rights to certain state employees in supervisory and managerial roles. The bill would establish separate bargaining units for those employees. 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Senate Finance Committee hearing Feb. 16.
• Maryland HB275 and Maryland SB247: These companion bills would extend collective bargaining rights to certain faculty, teaching assistants, graduate assistants, fellows, and postdoctoral interns at University System of Maryland institutions, Morgan State University, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • HB275: House Appropriations Committee hearing Feb. 14.
  • SB247: Senate Finance Committee hearing Feb. 16.  
• Maryland HB490: This bill would require the Maryland Department of Health to disclose certain information about residential service agency employees providing home health care to a union upon request.
  • Democratic sponsorship.
  • House Health and Government Operations Committee hearing Feb. 23.
• Maryland HB579 and Maryland SB494: These companion bills would require the Secretary of Budget and Management to assign or reassign certain Department of Education employees to appropriate bargaining units.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • HB579: House Appropriations Committee hearing March 9.
  • SB494: Senate Finance Committee hearing March 3. Favorable report March 9.
• Maryland HB637 and Maryland SB428: These companion bills would allow sworn deputy sheriffs and correctional deputies at the rank of sergeant and below to bargain collectively with their employers. The bills would not authorize such employees to strike.
  • Sponsored by Washington County Delegation (HB637) and Washington County Senators (SB428). 
  • HB637: House Appropriations Committee hearing March 9.
  • SB428: Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee hearing Feb. 21.
• Maryland HB764: This bill would allow either party to the collective bargaining agreement for Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission employees to request the appointment of a mediator-arbitrator. The bill would establish procedures for mediation-arbitration.
  • Sponsored by Montgomery County Delegation.
  • House Appropriations Committee hearing March 7. 
• Maryland HB797: This bill would allow either party to the collective bargaining agreement for Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission employees to request the appointment of a mediator-arbitrator. The bill would establish procedures for mediation-arbitration.
  • Sponsored by Montgomery County Delegation and Prince George’s County Delegation.
  • House Appropriations Committee hearing March 9.
• Maryland HB984 and Maryland SB367: These companion bills would consolidate and amend public employee collective bargaining laws. They would stipulate rights and duties of employers, employees, and unions. The bills would establish the Public Employee Relations Board and repeal other existing boards. The bills would stipulate that public school employers, employees, and unions are subject to Title 21 of the State Government Article.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • HB984: First reading House Appropriations Committee Feb. 10. Committee hearing March 7.
  • SB367: Senate Finance Committee hearing Feb. 16.
• Maryland SB680: This bill would extend collective bargaining rights to certain county public library employees. The bill would prohibit employees from striking.
  • Democratic sponsorship.      
  • Senate Finance Committee hearing scheduled for March 10. Hearing canceled Feb. 27. Withdrawn by sponsor March 8. 
• Maryland SB645: This bill would change the permitted subjects of collective bargaining for full-time law enforcement and court security officers to salary, wages, hours, and other employment matters managed by the sheriff or city. 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • First reading Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Feb. 6. Committee hearing Feb. 23. 
• Michigan HB4004: This bill would repeal a section of law prohibiting public employees from being required to join or financially support a union. The bill stipulates that a public employer may “[make] an agreement with an exclusive bargaining representative … to require as a condition of employment that all other employees in the bargaining unit pay to the exclusive bargaining representative a service fee equivalent to the amount of dues uniformly required of members of the exclusive bargaining representative.”  
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • House Labor Committee reported with recommendation without amendment March 8. Second reading, substitute bill adopted. Third reading. House passed March 8, transmitted to Senate. Referred to Senate Labor Committee March 9.  
• Minnesota HF827: This bill would add certain requirements for teacher preparation time that must be included in collective bargaining agreements, such as requiring one or two uninterrupted blocks of preparation time, with additional time for certain teachers. 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • House Education Policy Committee hearings Feb. 15, Feb. 22, March 1. House Education Policy Committee recommends to adopt as amended and re-refer to House Education Finance March 6. 
• Minnesota HF1600: This bill would require the commissioner of management and budget to consider only compensation data from the most recent salary and benefits survey when negotiating compensation as part of a collective bargaining agreement with law enforcement officers. The bill notes, “It is the legislature’s intent that the information in this study be used to compare salaries between the identified police departments and the State Patrol and to make appropriate increases to patrol trooper salaries.”
  • Bipartisan sponsorship. 
  • Introduction and first reading, referred to House State and Local Government Finance and Policy Committee Feb. 13. Committee hearing March 7. 
• Minnesota HF1690 and Minnesota SF1633: These companion bills would stipulate that public employers and unions are not liable for requiring agency fees from public employees. The bills would require public employers to provide exclusive representatives with certain contact information within 10 days of hiring a new employee, as well as a document containing certain contact information for all employees in the bargaining unit every 120 days. The bills would also require public employers to allow exclusive representatives access to employees, including on employer premises.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • HF1690: Introduction and first reading, referred to House Labor and Industry Finance and Policy Committee Feb. 13. Committee hearings Feb. 28, March 7.
  • SF1633: Introduction and first reading, referred to Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Committee Feb. 13. Withdrawn and referred to Senate Education Finance Committee Feb. 20. 
• Minnesota HF1691 and Minnesota SF1632: These companion bills would stipulate that public employers and unions are not liable for requiring agency fees from public employees. The bills would require public employers to provide exclusive representatives with certain contact information within 10 days of hiring a new employee, as well as a document containing certain contact information for all employees in the bargaining unit every 120 days. The bills would also require public employers to allow exclusive representatives access to employees, including on employer premises.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • HF1691: Introduction and first reading, referred to House Education Policy Committee Feb. 13. House Education Policy Committee hearing March 1, committee recommends to adopt and re-refer to House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee March 6. House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee hearing March 9. 
  • SF1632: Introduction and first reading, referred to Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Committee Feb. 13. Withdrawn and re-referred to Senate Labor Committee Feb. 20. Withdrawn and re-referred to Senate Education Policy Committee Feb. 27. Education Policy Committee hearing Feb. 28. Committee reports to pass and re-refer to Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Committee March 2. 
• Minnesota HF2463 and Minnesota SF2456: These companion bills would remove the requirement for the legislature to review state employee collective bargaining agreements and arbitration awards.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • HF2463: Introduction and first reading, referred to House State and Local Government Finance and Policy Committee March 2. 
  • SF2456: Introduction and first reading, referred to Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Committee March 2. Committee hearing March 7. 
• Minnesota SF2742: This bill would amend the circumstances under which teachers may strike to include a school district not offering a collective bargaining agreement with terms providing for the “maximum increase available” to salary and benefits. The bill would require the school district to calculate the maximum increase available based on changes in the state’s gross domestic product and district population, with guidance from the commissioner of management and budget,and notify the exclusive representative of the maximum increase available. If a collective bargaining agreement exceeds the maximum increase available, the bill would require a school district to explain the increase to district residents at an open meeting.
  • Republican sponsorship. 
  • Introduction and first reading, referred to Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Committee March 8.
• Montana HB448: This bill would stipulate that public employees have the right not to join or assist a union. It would provide that public employees may revoke dues authorizations at any time with 30 days’ notice to the public employer. It would require public employers to notify employees who submit a dues authorization form of their right to revoke the authorization. The bill would require employers to display a notice titled “Employee freedom of choice” and provide the notice to employees upon the beginning and end of employment.  
  • Republican sponsorship.
  • House Business and Labor Committee hearing Feb. 17. Tabled in committee Feb. 22. Motion to take the bill from committee and place on second reading failed March 1. 
• Montana HB698: This bill would require certain “proof of interest” documentation in order for a petition to the Montana Board of Personnel Appeals to raise a question concerning representation. The bill would stipulate that a union may only be certified as an exclusive representative for public employees if it receives the majority of votes in a secret ballot election. The bill would provide that public employees may petition the Montana Board of Personnel Appeals to decertify an exclusive representative or choose a different union as the exclusive representative any time after the 12-month period following a valid election.
  • Republican sponsorship. 
  • Introduced Feb. 20. Referred to House State Administration Committee Feb. 21. Committee hearing Feb. 27, tabled in committee. 
• Montana SB343: This bill would prohibit public employers from providing compensation or paid leave to public employees for time the employee spends on union activities. The bill would also prohibit public employers from reimbursing expenses a public employee incurs while engaged in union activities.  
  • Republican sponsorship. 
  • Introduced Feb. 14. Referred to Senate Local Government Committee Feb. 15. Committee hearing Feb. 22. Tabled in committee Feb. 23. 
• Nevada AB172: This bill would require every local government employer to provide recognized unions with certain contact information for all employees in the bargaining unit twice a year. 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Read first time, referred to Assembly Government Affairs Committee Feb. 15. Committee hearing March 2. 
• Nevada AB211: This bill would authorize supplemental bargaining between local government employers and an exclusive representative for law enforcement dispatchers to negotiate for dispatchers to participate in the Police and Firefighters’ Retirement Fund, under certain circumstances. It would also authorize the same between the State of Nevada Executive Department and an exclusive representative for law enforcement dispatchers.
  • Republican sponsorship. 
  • Read first time, referred to Assembly Government Affairs Committee Feb. 22. Committee hearing March 8. 
• Nevada AB224: This bill would authorize collective bargaining between State of Nevada Executive Department employers employing 400 or more professional employees and certain professional employees. The bill would provide for the designation of exclusive representatives and establish collective bargaining procedures. 
  • Bipartisan sponsorship. 
  • Read first time, referred to Assembly Government Affairs Committee Feb. 23. Committee hearing March 9. 
• Nevada SB206: This bill would provide that any collective bargaining provision limiting the authority of a school district board of trustees to terminate or reassign a school staff member of a school converted to a department charter school is unenforceable and void.
  • Republican sponsorship. 
  • Read first time, referred to Senate Education Committee March 2. From printer, to committee March 3.
• New Hampshire HB134: This bill would establish the Legislature as a public employer and establish collective bargaining procedures for nonpartisan legislative employees. 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • House Legislative Administration Committee executive session March 8. 
• New Hampshire HB150: This bill would decrease the number of employees required to certify a public employee collective bargaining unit from 10 to five. 
  • Bipartisan sponsorship. 
  • House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Committee executive session Feb. 16.
• New Hampshire HB241: This bill would define a reasonable opportunity for school district employees to meet with the school district for collective bargaining negotiations as being before 9:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. on scheduled work days.
  • Bipartisan sponsorship. 
  • House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Committee executive session Feb. 16. Committee reports “inexpedient to legislate” March 6.
• New Hampshire SB193: This bill stipulates that negotiating in good faith requires parties to meet for bargaining within 10 days of receiving a written request, unless mutually agreed otherwise.
  • Bipartisan sponsorship. 
  • Senate Commerce Committee reports “ought to pass” March 7. 
• New York A04823: This bill would void the terms of any collective bargaining agreement between a public employer and police union that authorized increased pay for implementing the use of body-worn cameras.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Referred to Assembly Governmental Employees Committee Feb. 23. 
• New York A04739: This bill would stipulate that an impasse is deemed to exist if more than one year has passed since the expiration of a public employee collective bargaining agreement or interest arbitration award. The bill would stipulate that the same criteria apply to a presumption of bad faith in the context of an improper practice charge, and that a strike occuring after that time period “shall be presumed to have been one caused by acts of extreme provocation.” 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Referred to Assembly Governmental Employees Committee Feb. 23.
• Oklahoma HB2026: This bill would require the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to provide a state employee union with a monthly report of employees who have opted-in to union membership. 
  • Republican sponsorship.
  • House Government Modernization and Technology Committee hearing Feb. 21, committee recommends “do pass.” 
• Oklahoma HB2543: This bill would require school district employees to sign an annual authorization form containing language specified in the bill in order for the school district to deduct union dues from employees’ pay.
  • Republican sponsorship.
  • House Appropriations and Budget Committee hearing Feb. 22.
• Oklahoma SB99: This bill would require that school district employee union dues payroll deductions must be reauthorized on an annual basis on a form provided by the Secretary of Education. The bill would prohibit debt to a union from accruing after an employee has requested to terminate dues deductions.
  • Republican sponsorship. 
  • Senate Education Committee recommends “do pass” as amended by committee substitute Feb. 28. 
• Oregon HB2573: This bill would require the Employment Relations Board to develop procedures for the electronic preparation of authorizations designating bargaining representatives and for the electronic signing of those authorizations. 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • House Business and Labor Committee work session March 13. 
• Oregon HB2703: This bill would remove language limiting the inclusion of class size and caseload limits as mandatory subjects of collective bargaining to schools qualifying for Title 1 assistance.  
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • House Education Committee public hearing March 6.
• Oregon HB2864: This bill would allow unions to charge “reasonable fees and costs for representation that are unrelated to the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement” to non-union Department of Corrections employees, Oregon Corrections Enterprises employees, and parole or probation officers supervising adult offenders.
  • Democratic sponsorship.  
  • House Business and Labor Committee work session March 6. 
• Oregon HB3270: This bill would stipulate that certain emergency communications workers and police officers are not supervisory employees for collective bargaining purposes.
  • Republican sponsorship. 
  • First reading, referred to speaker’s desk Feb. 21. Referred to House Business and Labor Committee Feb. 23. 
• Oregon SB194: This bill would exclude certain Oregon State Police employees from being defined as supervisory employees for collective bargaining purposes.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Senate Labor and Business Committee recommends “do pass,” second reading Feb. 13. Passed third reading Feb. 21. First reading in House, referred to speaker’s desk Feb. 28. Referred to House Business and Labor Committee March 3.
• Oregon SB1067: This bill would stipulate that “standards, requirements or procedures relating to body-worn cameras” are excluded from the definition of “employment relations” for the purpose of law enforcement collective bargaining. The bill would prohibit unions from negotiating over such matters.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Introduction and first reading, referred to Senate president’s desk Feb. 27. Referred to Senate Labor and Business Committee March 1. 
• Pennsylvania SB399: This bill would provide that a public employer must provide notice on its website—or, if it does not have a website, in its main office—at least two weeks before and 30 days after signing a collective bargaining agreement including the terms of the agreement and estimated costs to the public employer. The bill would stipulate that proposed collective bargaining agreements and related documents are public records, and that proposed agreements must be posted on the public employer’s website within 48 hours of receipt.
  • Republican sponsorship. 
  • Referred to Senate State Government Committee Feb. 21. 
• Pennsylvania SB405: This bill would provide that a public employee has the right to examine on a regular basis how the union representing the employee’s bargaining unit uses the membership dues it collects. The bill would provide that a union must file quarterly reports with the names of all union officers and employees, the annual salary and benefits of all union officers and employees, a detailed summary of union expenses, and information about independent expenditures made to influence elections. The bill would require the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board to make these reports publicly available online along with copies of all collective bargaining agreements. The bill would require public employers to provide copies of collective bargaining agreements to the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board within 15 days of the agreement being signed. 
  • Republican sponsorship. 
  • Referred to Senate Labor and Industry Committee Feb. 21.
• Rhode Island H5180 and Rhode Island S0426: These companion bills would establish a dispute arbitration method for municipal employees. 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • H5180: House Labor Committee hearing March 1, committee recommended measure be held for further study. 
  • S0426: Introduced, referred to Senate Labor Committee Feb. 16.
• Texas HB1579 and Texas SB1436: These companion bills would stipulate that the requirements the bills impose for the investigation of municipal firefighters supersede any collective bargaining or meet and confer provisions in conflict with the requirements.  
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • HB1579: Read first time, referred to House Urban Affairs Committee March 3. 
  • SB1436: Filed March 2. 
• Texas HB2519: This bill would stipulate that a collective bargaining agreement or meet and confer agreement between a public employer and police union must “implement the progressive disciplinary matrix” the bill requires for municipal police officers and “may not conflict with and does not supersede an ordinance, order, statute, or rule concerning the disciplinary actions that may be imposed on a police officer under the progressive disciplinary matrix.” 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Filed Feb. 21. 
• Texas HB2917: This bill would prohibit a municipality from entering into a collective bargaining agreement or meet and confer agreement with a police union unless community members have been allowed to review and comment on the agreement.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Filed Feb. 27. 
• Texas SB736: This bill would establish mandatory binding interest arbitration for fire departments serving a municipality of at least 1.9 million people.
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Read first time, referred to Senate Local Government Committee March 1.
• Utah HB0241: This bill would prohibit public employers from deducting union dues from public employee wages. It would prohibit the use of public funds to support union activities. It would prohibit public employers from restricting unions from accessing public property that is accessible to others.
  • Republican sponsorship. 
  • Filed in House file for bills not passed March 3. 
• Utah HB0243: This bill would stipulate that supervisors, managerial employees, and confidential employees are not included as public transit district employees for the purpose of collective bargaining. 
  • Republican sponsorship. 
  • Senate Business and Labor hearing Feb. 10, favorable recommendation. Passed second reading Feb. 15. Passed third reading, signed by Senate president, returned to the House, signed by House Speaker, and sent for enrolling Feb. 16.    
• Vermont H0293: This bill would add a section to Vermont’s court procedure law to create a union agent-represented worker privilege to refuse to disclose confidential communication, with certain exceptions. 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Read first time, referred to House Judiciary Committee Feb. 21. 
• Vermont H0296: This bill would allow a union to be recognized as an exclusive representative for state or school board employees by voluntary recognition or by majority sign-up, instead of by secret ballot only.    
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Read first time, referred to House General and Housing Committee Feb. 21.
• Vermont H0338: This bill would repeal a law stating that state employees and judiciary employees “may not strike or recognize a picket line of an employee or labor organization while in the performance of [their] official duties.” 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Read first time, referred to House General and Housing Committee Feb. 22. 
• Vermont H0454: This bill would establish a statewide bargaining unit for Vermont State Colleges adjunct faculty members, excluding employees of Vermont Technical College.  
  • Democratic sponsorship.
  • Read first time, referred to House General and Housing Committee March 1. 
• Vermont S0102: This bill would allow the State Labor Relations Board to certify a union as an exclusive representative for state employees based on a petition that a majority of members of the bargaining unit have signed. It would also allow unions to bring enforcement actions on behalf of the state for violations of the good cause standard for employment termination established by the bill.  
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Committee hearing Feb. 23. Read first time, referred to Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Committee Feb. 24. Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Committee hearings March 1 and March 2.
• Washington HB1122 and Washington SB5141: These companion bills would grant certain Washington management service members the right to bargain collectively. 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • HB1122: House Appropriations Committee executive session Feb. 20. Majority recommends “do pass” second substitute bill. Referred to House Rules Committee Feb. 23. Placed on second reading March 2. Second substitute bill substituted March 4. Third reading passed March 4. First reading in Senate, referred to Senate Labor & Commerce Committee March 7. Senate Labor & Commerce Committee executive session March 14. 
  • SB5141:  Senate Ways and Means Committee public hearing Feb. 16. Executive session Feb. 24, no action taken. 
• Washington HB1200: This bill would require public employers to provide exclusive bargaining representatives with information including employee name, date of hire, contact information, and employment and salary information within 10 days of hiring a new employee in the bargaining unit. All information for every employee in the unit must be sent to the exclusive bargaining representative at specified intervals. 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • Placed on second reading March 1. First substitute bill substituted March 2. Third reading passed March 2. First reading, referred to Senate Labor & Commerce Committee March 6, public hearing March 16.
• Washington HB1307: This bill would grant collective bargaining rights to resident and fellow physicians at public university medical schools. 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • House Appropriations Committee public hearing Feb. 13, executive session Feb. 23.
• Washington HB1774 and Washington SB5694: These companion bills would allow the office of financial management more flexibility to use the state salary survey in collective bargaining negotiations. The bills would require classification plans to be negotiated with the relevant employee union. The bills would include the benchmark descriptions and job classifications used in conducting salary surveys as subjects of collective bargaining. 
  • Democratic sponsorship. 
  • HB1774: House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee executive session Feb. 17. No action taken. 
  • SB5694: Senate State Government & Elections Committee executive session Feb. 17. Majority recommends “do pass.” Referred to Senate Ways and Means Committee. 
• Wisconsin AB28: This bill would classify county jailers as protective occupation participants. The bill would stipulate that county jailers are general municipal employees unless a county is already treating county jailers as public safety employees when the bill goes into effect. However, if a county “raises a question concerning the appropriateness of including county jailers in a collective bargaining unit that includes public safety employees,” county jailers may not be treated as public safety employees.
  • Bipartisan sponsorship. 
  • Read first time, referred to Assembly State Affairs Committee Feb. 10. Fiscal estimate received, public hearing held March 1. Assembly State Affairs Committee recommends adoption of Assembly Amendment 1 and passage as amended March 8. Referred to Assembly Rules Committee March 8, placed on calendar for March 14.
• Wisconsin SB28: This bill would classify county jailers as protective occupation participants. The bill would stipulate that county jailers are general municipal employees unless a county is already treating county jailers as public safety employees when the bill goes into effect. However, if a county “raises a question concerning the appropriateness of including county jailers in a collective bargaining unit that includes public safety employees,” county jailers may not be treated as public safety employees.
  • Bipartisan sponsorship. 
  • Fiscal estimates received Feb. 9, Feb. 17.  

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