H.B. No. 3171 amends the Local Government Code to establish new standards for compensation and employment conditions for municipal employees, particularly in relation to collective bargaining agreements and impasse resolution processes. Key changes include the preemption of local ordinances that conflict with the provisions of this chapter, and the introduction of a new section that allows for alternative impasse resolution mechanisms specifically for fire fighters under municipal charters or collective bargaining agreements. The bill also modifies existing sections to clarify the arbitration process, ensuring that public employers and associations can request arbitration when they reach an impasse in negotiations.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new subchapter that outlines binding interest arbitration for municipalities with populations between 950,000 and 1,050,000, detailing the arbitration process, the selection of arbitrators, and the considerations that arbitration boards must take into account when making awards. The changes validate existing impasse resolution provisions and ensure that they remain effective, while also protecting prior agreements from being challenged based on the new law. The act is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

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)
House Committee Report: Local Government Code 174.005, Local Government Code 174.022, Local Government Code 174.153, Local Government Code 174.156, Local Government Code 174.163 (Local Government Code 174)
Engrossed: Local Government Code 174.005, Local Government Code 174.022, Local Government Code 174.153, Local Government Code 174.156, Local Government Code 174.163 (Local Government Code 174)
Senate Committee Report: Local Government Code 174.005, Local Government Code 174.022, Local Government Code 174.153, Local Government Code 174.156, Local Government Code 174.163 (Local Government Code 174)