The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes concerning the Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) and the rights of public employees, particularly those in public safety roles. Key changes include aligning final order requirements with Chapter 120 of the Florida Statutes, removing the timeframe for filing exceptions, and revising appeal hearing timelines. The bill also specifies the annual salaries for PERC's chair and commissioners, introduces flexible methods for serving subpoenas, and establishes new definitions and requirements for employee organizations, including membership revocation and dues collection. Additionally, it modifies the certification processes for employee organizations and increases fines for certain violations, aiming to enhance the efficiency and clarity of public employee relations in Florida.

Furthermore, the bill addresses the registration and certification of employee organizations, mandating detailed information about membership dues and financial statements. It allows public employers to engage in membership dues deductions under specific conditions and streamlines the registration process for organizations representing a majority of public safety employees. The bill also outlines procedures for certification, recertification, and decertification, requiring a minimum of 30 percent employee signatures for petitions and establishing majority vote requirements for elections. Additionally, it introduces changes to collective bargaining laws, grievance procedures, and penalties for strikes, ultimately aiming to strengthen labor law enforcement and clarify the rights and responsibilities of public employees and their organizations. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1766 Filed: 110.227, 112.0455, 295.14, 447.203, 447.305, 447.307, 447.308, 447.401, 447.405, 447.503, 447.609, 110.114, 110.205, 112.3187, 121.031, 447.02, 1011.60