The bill amends various sections of the Iowa Code concerning employment matters for public employees, with a particular focus on collective bargaining, educator employment, and civil service requirements. Key changes include the amendment of Section 20.6 to replace "Administer" with "Interpret, apply, and administer," and the removal of several subsections that previously outlined specific provisions. The bill clarifies the scope of negotiations between public employers and employee organizations, emphasizing good faith negotiations while excluding retirement systems. It also modifies the decertification process for employee organizations, reducing the waiting period for recertification from twenty-four months to twelve months after a contempt ruling, and introduces new provisions regarding the negotiation process and arbitration.

Additionally, the bill reinstates statutory seniority rights for city civil service employees and outlines specific grounds and procedures for adverse employment actions, while changing the appeal process for civil service commission decisions to a trial de novo. It mandates that any reduction in city employees must be justified by public interest and allows for the placement of removed employees on a preferred list for future appointments. The bill aims to streamline collective bargaining processes, enhance the rights of public employees, and clarify the responsibilities of both employees and employers in various employment-related matters.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 20.3, 20.6, 20.8, 20.9, 20.10, 20.12, 20.14, 20.17, 20.22, 20.26, 20.29, 20.30, 20.31, 22.7, 70A.17A, 70A.19, 20.15, 279.14, 279.16, 279.13, 279.19, 279.15, 279.23, 29A.28, 256.9, 400.17, 400.18, 400.19, 400.20, 400.21, 400.22, 400.27, 400.28