Bill H.858, introduced by Representative Galfetti, seeks to amend the State Employees Labor Relations Act by establishing a new bargaining unit specifically for sworn law enforcement officers and full-time firefighters employed by the State of Vermont. This new unit will include officers from the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Liquor and Lottery, and the Department of Motor Vehicles, as well as any other sworn law enforcement officers not currently covered by existing collective bargaining agreements. The bill outlines the criteria for membership in this bargaining unit and specifies exclusions for managerial, confidential, or supervisory employees, as well as those already covered by other collective bargaining agreements.

The proposed legal language includes the creation of a new section, 3 V.S.A. 912, which details the designation of these employees and their collective bargaining rights. The new bargaining unit will be known as the State Law Enforcement and Firefighters Bargaining Unit. Additionally, the bill stipulates that it will take effect on July 1, 2026, and will apply to collective bargaining agreements and negotiations that begin on or after that date.