Subcommittee advances bill tying labor impasse resolution to appropriations language

Representative Maggard presented PCB SAB 26-02, which provides that resolution of collective bargaining impasse regarding state employees will be resolved based on the spending decisions included in the General Appropriations Act or implementing legislation for fiscal year 2627.

Representative Gant questioned how many unions or organizations are currently at impasse and whether the bill applies strictly to state employees or also to entities that have contractual ties to the state. The sponsor said she would obtain the number of units currently at impasse and clarified the bill applies to state employees. The committee did not receive public testimony on the measure.

With no amendments and no debate, the committee waived further consideration, closed debate, recorded a roll call and reported PCB SAB 26-02 favorably to the next stage in the legislative process. The sponsor did not provide an implementation timetable during the hearing.