H.B. No. 3171 amends the Local Government Code to establish new standards for compensation and employment conditions through municipal charters or collective bargaining agreements, specifically addressing impasse resolution in collective bargaining for certain political subdivisions. Key changes include the preemption of local ordinances and rules that conflict with the provisions of this chapter, as well as the introduction of new language regarding arbitration and impasse resolution mechanisms. The bill clarifies that public employers and associations representing employees must adhere to these mechanisms when they reach an impasse in negotiations, and it introduces a new subchapter that outlines binding interest arbitration for municipalities with populations between 950,000 and 1,050,000.

Additionally, the bill validates existing impasse resolution provisions in municipal charters and collective bargaining agreements that are in effect at the time of the bill's enactment. It ensures that any changes made by this Act do not retroactively affect agreements or awards established prior to its effective date. The Act will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote from both houses of the legislature; otherwise, it will become effective on September 1, 2025.

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)