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 decisions.

Key changes include the requirement for parties to exchange information regarding expert witnesses and financial impacts on taxpayers prior to arbitration, with arbitrators empowered to set deadlines for this exchange. The timeline for issuing arbitration awards is extended from 90 to 150 days, with possible extensions up to 180 days, and the appeal period is increased from 14 to 21 days. Additionally, the maximum daily fee for arbitrators is raised from $1,000 to $1,500, and the total cap on arbitration costs is increased from $10,000 to $15,000. The bill also repeals certain sections of existing law that limit arbitration awards and disbands the Police and Fire Interest Arbitration Impact Task Force.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 34:13A-16