The bill amends various sections of the Florida Statutes concerning public employee collective bargaining, particularly the processes for certifying, recertifying, or decertifying bargaining agents. It mandates that employee organizations or public employees must file a petition with the Public Employees Relations Commission, including specific information and a showing of interest from a designated percentage of public employees for ballot placement in certification or recertification elections. This showing of interest is deemed confidential and exempt from public disclosure. Additionally, the bill prohibits the filing of such petitions within 12 months following a commission order that verifies the results of a certification election and requires the commission to dismiss petitions that do not meet the necessary criteria.

Moreover, the bill introduces new definitions and clarifies existing terms related to employee organization activities, while also prohibiting public employers from denying access to resources for employee organizations or compensating public employees for engaging in organization activities. It allows for unpaid leave for such activities and specifies conditions for compensated personal leave. The bill also repeals a section concerning the revocation of certification of employee organizations and makes conforming amendments to ensure consistency across related statutes. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline the collective bargaining process and enhance the rights and protections of public employees and their organizations, with an effective date set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1328 Filed: 447.307, 447.308, 110.114, 110.205, 112.3187, 121.031, 447.02, 447.305, 1011.60