Relating to compensation and employment condition standards by municipal charter or collective bargaining agreement and to impasse resolution in collective bargaining with certain political subdivisions.

Contracts

• Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs):
• In Affected Jurisdictions (Pop. 950k–1.05m): You must prepare for binding arbitration. The "legislative out" (where a City Council can simply reject a negotiated contract) is eliminated.
• Statewide: Review existing CBAs and Municipal Charters. If your current agreement contains a specific impasse resolution procedure (e.g., mediation or non-binding fact-finding), Section 174.165 now explicitly validates that procedure, shielding it from legal challenges claiming it conflicts with state standards.

Hiring/Training

• Negotiation Team Training: Legal counsel and HR directors involved in bargaining must be trained on the strict 45-day waiver rule. Failure to submit a specific issue to the Arbitration Board within 45 days of the arbitration request results in the automatic waiver of that issue.
• Arbitrator Selection: Maintain a vetted list of qualified arbitrators. You have only 5 days after a request for arbitration to select your arbitrator.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• Impasse Documentation: You must formally document the date impasse is reached to establish the legal trigger for arbitration.
• Notice of Dispute: The initiating party must serve a "Written Notice of Dispute." This document defines the scope of the arbitration. Issues not listed in this notice cannot be arbitrated.
• Evidentiary Record: Because arbitration awards are subject to District Court review, you must maintain a judicial-grade record of all arbitration proceedings, including exhibits and testimony regarding the municipality's "ability to pay."

Fees & Costs

• Arbitration Expenses: The municipality and the association must split the cost of the neutral third arbitrator and the court reporter.
• Budgetary Impact: In affected municipalities, finance departments must model budget scenarios assuming mandatory wage increases, as the binding award may exceed the initial budget proposal.