The bill, S.B. No. 777, amends the Local Government Code to establish standards for compensation and employment conditions for fire fighters and police officers employed by political subdivisions, emphasizing compliance with municipal charters or collective bargaining agreements. Key provisions include the preemption of local ordinances that conflict with these standards, and the requirement that political subdivisions provide compensation and working conditions that are substantially equal to those in comparable private sector jobs. Additionally, the bill introduces a new section that allows for impasse resolution mechanisms to be determined by municipal charters or collective bargaining agreements, thereby prioritizing these local agreements over general arbitration provisions.

The bill also modifies existing sections related to impasse resolution in collective bargaining, specifying that public employers and associations representing fire fighters must adhere to the resolution mechanisms outlined in their charters or agreements when an impasse occurs. It clarifies that arbitration is not compulsory unless specified in the charter or agreement, and it allows for awards to be effective for periods exceeding one year. The changes will apply only to charters, agreements, or arbitration awards that are in effect on or after the bill's effective date, which could be immediate or set for September 1, 2025, depending on legislative approval.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Local Government Code 174.005, Local Government Code 174.021, Local Government Code 174.153, Local Government Code 174.1535, Local Government Code 174.156, Local Government Code 174.158, Local Government Code 174.163 (Local Government Code 174)