The bill amends New Jersey's laws governing police and fire interest arbitration, specifically updating Section 3 of P.L.1977, c.85 (C.34:13A-16). Key provisions include a requirement for negotiations to begin at least 120 days before the expiration of collective agreements, with a minimum of three meetings. It introduces mediation and factfinding processes in case of an impasse, allowing either party to seek arbitration after the agreement expires. The bill also establishes new guidelines for arbitrator selection, including mutual selection and penalties for missed deadlines. Significant changes include the requirement for initial meetings to be conducted as mediation sessions and the exchange of information regarding expert witnesses and financial impacts of final offers.

Additionally, the bill raises the maximum daily fee for arbitrators from $1,000 to $1,500 and increases the total cap on arbitration costs from $10,000 to $15,000. It extends the timeline for arbitrators to issue awards from 90 to 150 days, with a potential 30-day extension. The bill mandates that public employers provide detailed salary and cost information before arbitration and allows for mutual selection of arbitrators, with random selection as a fallback. It also clarifies provisions for municipalities in stabilization and recovery, stating that certain arbitration procedures will cease after six years from the determination of such status, while actions taken prior to the bill's effective date remain final.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 34:13A-16