The bill amends existing laws governing police and fire interest arbitration in New Jersey, specifically targeting the negotiation and arbitration processes between public fire or police departments and their exclusive representatives. It mandates that negotiations must begin at least 120 days before the expiration of collective negotiation agreements, with a minimum of three meetings required. New provisions for mediation and factfinding are introduced, allowing for the appointment of mediators and factfinders to help resolve disputes. The bill also establishes a structured arbitration framework, including the selection of arbitrators, cost-sharing, and the binding nature of arbitration awards.

Key changes include the requirement for parties to exchange information regarding expert witnesses and the financial implications of their final offers, as well as the arbitrator's authority to order additional mediation sessions. The timeline for arbitrators to issue awards is extended from 90 to 150 days, with possible extensions up to 180 days. Additionally, the maximum daily fee for arbitrators is increased from $1,000 to $1,500, and the total cap on arbitration costs is raised from $10,000 to $15,000. The bill also emphasizes the need to consider the financial impact on taxpayers and local government budgets during arbitration decisions, while repealing certain existing law sections that limit arbitration awards and disbanding the Police and Fire Interest Arbitration Impact Task Force.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 34:13A-16