Arizona 2025 Regular Session

Arizona Senate Bill SB1684 Compare Versions

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11 REFERENCE TITLE: public employees; collective bargaining State of Arizona Senate Fifty-seventh Legislature First Regular Session 2025 SB 1684 Introduced by Senator Kuby AN ACT amending title 38, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding chapter 9; amending section 41-1092.02, Arizona Revised Statutes; amending title 41, chapter 27, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 41-3033.01; relating to public employees. (TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
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7070 amending title 38, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding chapter 9; amending section 41-1092.02, Arizona Revised Statutes; amending title 41, chapter 27, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 41-3033.01; relating to public employees.
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8080 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona: Section 1. Title 38, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding chapter 9, to read: CHAPTER 9 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE BARGAINING ACT ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS START_STATUTE38-1201. Definitions In this article, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. "Appropriate bargaining unit" means a group of public employees designated by the public employee labor relations board or a local board for the purpose of collective bargaining. 2. "Appropriate governing body" means the policymaking body or individual representing a public employer. 3. "Board" means the public employee labor relations board. 4. "Certification" or "certifying" means the designation by the public employee labor relations board of a labor organization or a local board of a labor organization as the exclusive representative for all public employees in an appropriate bargaining unit. 5. "Collective bargaining" means the act of negotiating between a public employer and an exclusive representative for the purpose of entering into a written agreement regarding wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment. 6. "Confidential employee" means an individual who assists and acts in a confidential capacity to an individual who formulates, determines and effectuates management policies for meeting and conferring. 7. "Exclusive representative" means the labor organization that is certified to be the sole meet-and-confer agent of all public employees in the appropriate bargaining unit for the purposes of collective bargaining. 8. "Impasse" means the failure of a public employer and an exclusive representative, after good faith bargaining, to reach agreement in the course of negotiating a collective bargaining agreement. 9. "Labor organization" means an employee organization whose purpose is the representation of public employees in collective bargaining and in meeting, consulting and conferring with public employers on matters pertaining to employment relations. 10. "Local board" means a local labor relations board that is established by a public employer that is a political subdivision of this state through ordinance, resolution or charter amendment. 11. "Lockout" means an act by a public employer to prevent its public employees from going to work for the purpose of resisting the demands of the public employees' exclusive representative or for the purpose of gaining a concession from the exclusive representative. 12. "Management employee": (a) Means a public employee who is engaged primarily in executive and management functions and who is charged with the responsibility of developing, administering or effectuating management policies. (b) Does not include a public employee who participates in cooperative decision-making programs on an occasional basis. 13. "Mediation" means assistance by an impartial third party to resolve, through interpretation, suggestion and advice, an impasse between a public employer and an exclusive representative regarding employment relations. 14. "Public employee": (a) Means an employee of this state or any political subdivision of this state. (b) Does not include elected officials or individuals who are appointed to serve on boards or commissions. 15. "Public employer" means this state and any political subdivision of this state. 16. "Strike" means a public employee's refusal in concerted action with others to report for duty, an employee's wilful absence from the employee's position or the stopping of work or the absence from the full, faithful or proper performance of duties for the purpose of inducing, influencing or coercing a change in the conditions, compensation, rights, privileges or obligations of public employment. 17. "Supervisor" means an individual who is employed by a public employer and who: (a) Has the authority in the interest of the public employer to hire, transfer, furlough, lay off, recall, suspend, discipline or remove other public employees, if the exercise of the authority is not merely routine or clerical in nature but requires the consistent exercise of independent judgment. (b) Devotes a majority of time at work exercising this authority. END_STATUTE START_STATUTE38-1202. Public employee rights A. Public employees may form, join and participate in, or refrain from forming, joining or participating in, any labor organization. B. Public employees may be represented by the exclusive representative and may meet and confer through the exclusive representative with their public employer in determining the terms and conditions of their employment, including the right to be represented in determining grievances on all terms and conditions of employment. C. Public employees may engage in concerted activities that are not prohibited by law for the purpose of meeting and conferring on other mutual aid or protection or may refrain from engaging in these activities. D. Public employees may exercise the rights provided for in this section free from interference, intimidation, restraint, coercion or discrimination. END_STATUTE START_STATUTE38-1203. Public employer rights In addition to all of the powers, rights and duties that are established by law, a public employer has the right to: 1. Determine the mission of its agencies, set standards of service to be offered to the public and exercise control over its organization and operations. 2. Direct, promote or assign its employees, take disciplinary action for just cause and relieve its employees from duty for lack of work. END_STATUTE START_STATUTE38-1204. Appropriate governing body A. The appropriate governing body is as follows: 1. For this state, the governor or the governor's designee. 2. For a constitutionally created body, the designated head of that body. 3. For a local public body, the elected or appointed representative body or individual charged with managing the local public body. B. If there is a dispute regarding who the appropriate governing body is, the board shall determine the appropriate governing body. END_STATUTE START_STATUTE38-1205. Public employee labor relations board; membership; appointments; director; compensation A. The public employee labor relations board is established. B. The board consists of the following members who are appointed by the governor: 1. One member who is involved in representing public employees. 2. One member who is a public employer and who is actively involved in collective bargaining. 3. One member who is jointly recommended by the members who are appointed pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2 of this subsection. C. Board members serve a term of one year. Vacancies that occur, other than by the expiration of a term, must be filled in the same manner for the balance of the unexpired term. During the appointed term, a board member may not be a candidate for public office, hold a public office, be a public employee or be an employee of a union or an organization that represents public employees or public employers. Board members may serve an unlimited number of terms. D. The board shall appoint a director who is eligible to receive compensation Pursuant to section 38-611. E. Board members are eligible to receive compensation pursuant to section 38-611 and are eligible to receive reimbursement of expenses pursuant to chapter 4, article 2 of this title. END_STATUTE START_STATUTE38-1206. Public employee labor relations board; powers and duties; prohibition A. The board shall: 1. Adopt rules that are necessary to administer this article, including rules for: (a) Designating appropriate bargaining units. (b) Selecting, certifying and decertifying exclusive representatives. (c) Filing, hearing and determining complaints of prohibited practices. 2. Administer and enforce this article and rules that are adopted pursuant to this article and use appropriate administrative remedies to enforce this article. 3. Hold hearings and make inquiries that are necessary to carry out its functions and duties. 4. Conduct studies on problems that relate to employee and employer relations. 5. Request from public employers and labor organizations the information and data that are necessary to carry out the board's functions and responsibilities. 6. Decide all issues by majority vote and issue its decisions in the form of written orders and opinions. B. The board may: 1. Issue subpoenas that require, on reasonable notice, the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of any evidence, including books, records, correspondence or documents that relate to any matter in question. 2. Prescribe the form of subpoena that is in a form used in civil actions in superior court. 3. Administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses and receive evidence. 4. Hire personnel or contract with third parties to assist the board in its functions. C. The board may not require any public employee to pay money to any labor organization as a condition of employment. END_STATUTE START_STATUTE38-1207. Local boards; members; powers and duties A. Except for this state and If the public employee labor relations board approves, a public employer by ordinance, resolution or charter amendment may establish a local board that is similar to the public employee labor relations board. If established and approved, the local board shall assume the duties and responsibilities of the public employee labor relations board. A local board shall follow all provisions of this article that apply to the public employee labor relations board unless otherwise approved by the public employee labor relations board. B. A local board shall consist of the following members who are appointed by the public employer: 1. One member who represents public employees. 2. One member who represents management. 3. One member who is jointly recommended by the members who are appointed pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2 of this subsection. C. Local board members serve a term of one year. Vacancies that occur, other than by the expiration of a term, must be filled in the same manner for the balance of the unexpired term. During the appointed term, a local board member may not be a candidate for public office, hold a public office, be a public employee or be an employee of a union or an organization that represents public employees or public employers. Board members may serve an unlimited number of terms. D. Local board members are eligible to receive compensation and reimbursement of expenses. E. The Local board shall: 1. Adopt rules that are necessary to administer this article, including rules for: (a) Designating appropriate bargaining units. (b) Selecting, certifying and decertifying exclusive representatives. (c) Filing, hearing and determining complaints of prohibited practices. 2. Administer and enforce this article and rules that are adopted pursuant to this article and use appropriate administrative remedies to enforce this article. 3. Hold hearings and make inquiries that are necessary to carry out its functions and duties. 4. Conduct studies on problems that relate to employee and employer relations. 5. Request from public employers and labor organizations the information and data that are necessary to carry out the local board's functions and responsibilities. 6. Decide all issues by majority vote and issue its decisions in the form of written orders and opinions. F. The local board may: 1. Issue subpoenas that require, on reasonable notice, the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of any evidence, including books, records, correspondence or documents that relate to any matter in question. 2. Prescribe the form of subpoena that is in a form used in civil actions in superior court. 3. Administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses and receive evidence. 4. Hire personnel or contract with third parties to assist the local board in its functions. END_STATUTE START_STATUTE38-1208. Hearing procedures A. The public employee labor relations board or a local board may hold hearings to gather information, make inquiries, adopt rules, adjudicate disputes and enforce this article. B. The public employee labor relations board or a local board shall adopt rules to govern procedures for the hearings. The rules that are adopted under this subsection must include all minimal due process requirements that the United States constitution and the Arizona constitution require. C. The public employee labor relations board or a local board may appoint a hearing officer to conduct any adjudication hearing that is authorized by the public employee labor relations board or local board. At the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing officer shall prepare a written report, including findings and recommendations, and shall submit the report to the public employee labor relations board or local board for its decision. D. The public employee labor relations board or a local board may not propose to adopt a rule that affects any person or governmental entity outside of the public employee labor relations board's or local board's jurisdiction. The public employee labor relations board or local board shall conduct a public hearing to adopt, amend or repeal any rule and allow a public hearing and comment on the proposed action before the public employee labor relations board or local board. The public hearing must be held after notice of the subject matter of the rule, the action proposed to be taken, the time and place of the hearing, the manner in which interested persons may present their views and the method by which copies of the proposed rule, proposed amendment or repeal of an existing rule may be obtained. All meetings of the public employee labor relations board must be held in Phoenix. All meetings of local boards must be held in the county of residence of the local public employer. The public employee labor relations board or local board shall publish a notice at least thirty days before the hearing date in a newspaper of general circulation in this state or, in the case of a local board hearing, in a newspaper of general circulation in the county. The public employee labor relations board or local board shall mail a notice at least thirty days before the hearing date to all persons that have made a written request for advance notice of hearings. E. The public employee labor relations board or local board shall make an electronic record of all hearings. END_STATUTE START_STATUTE38-1209. Appropriate bargaining units; representation election; composition hearing; definitions A. On receipt of a petition for a representation election that a labor organization files, the public employee labor relations board or a local board shall designate the appropriate bargaining units for collective bargaining. Appropriate bargaining units must be established on the basis of occupational groups. Essential factors in determining appropriate bargaining units must include the principles of efficient administration of government, the history of collective bargaining and the assurance to public employees of the fullest freedom in exercising the rights that are guaranteed by this article. B. Within thirty days after a disagreement between a public employer and a labor organization concerning the composition of an appropriate bargaining unit, the public employee labor relations board or a local board shall hold a hearing concerning the composition of the bargaining unit before designating an appropriate bargaining unit. C. The public employee labor relations board or a local board may not include in any appropriate bargaining unit supervisors, management employees or confidential employees. D. For the purposes of this section: 1. "Occupational groups": (a) Means a clear and identifiable community of interest in employment terms and conditions and related personnel matters among the public employees involved. (b) Includes employees of blue-collar, secretarial, clerical, technical, professional, paraprofessional, police, fire and corrections positions. 2. "Professional" means work that is predominantly intellectual and varied in character, that involves the consistent exercise of discretion and judgment in its performance and that requires knowledge of an advanced nature in a field of learning that customarily requires specialized study at an institution of higher education or its equivalent. END_STATUTE START_STATUTE38-1210. Elections A. If, in accordance with rules that are adopted by the public employee labor relations board or a local board, a labor organization files a petition with the public employee labor relations board or local board and the petition contains the signatures of at least thirty percent of the public employees in an appropriate bargaining unit, the public employee labor relations board or local board shall conduct a secret ballot representation election to determine whether and by which labor organization the public employees in the appropriate bargaining unit shall be represented. The ballot must contain the following: 1. The names of any labor organization that submits a petition that contains signatures of at least ten percent of the public employees within the appropriate bargaining unit. 2. A provision that allows the public employees to indicate whether the public employees desire to be represented by a labor organization. B. After a labor organization files a valid petition with the public employee labor relations board or a local board that calls for a representation election, other labor organizations may seek to be placed on the ballot by filing a petition that contains the signatures of at least ten percent of the public employees in the appropriate bargaining unit. The petition must be filed not later than ten days after the public employee labor relations board or local board and the public employer post a written notice that the petition that contains the signatures of at least thirty percent of the public employees has been filed by a labor organization. C. Notwithstanding subsection a of this section, the public employee labor relations board or a local board may establish an alternative appropriate procedure for determining majority status. The public employee labor relations board or local board may not certify any appropriate bargaining unit if the public employer objects to the certification without an election. D. Within fifteen days after an election in which a majority of the employees indicate the desire to be represented by a labor organization, but no labor organization receives a majority of the votes cast, a runoff election between the two choices that receive the largest number of votes cast must be conducted. The public employee labor relations board or a local board shall certify the results of the election. If a labor organization receives a majority of the votes cast, the public employee labor relations board or local board shall certify the labor organization as the exclusive representative of all public employees in the appropriate bargaining unit. E. An election may not be conducted if an election or runoff election has been conducted within the twelve months that immediately precede the proposed representation election. An election may not be held during the term of an existing collective bargaining agreement except as provided by section 38-1212. END_STATUTE START_STATUTE38-1211. Exclusive representation A. A labor organization that has been certified by the public employee labor relations board or a local board to represent public employees in an appropriate bargaining unit is the exclusive representative of all public employees in the appropriate bargaining unit. The exclusive representative shall act for all public employees in the appropriate bargaining unit and negotiate a collective bargaining agreement that covers all public employees in the appropriate bargaining unit. The exclusive representative shall represent the interests of all public employees in the appropriate bargaining unit without discrimination or regard to membership in the labor organization. B. This section does not prevent a public employee from acting individually and presenting a grievance without the intervention of the exclusive representative. If a public employee individually brings a grievance at any hearing, the exclusive representative is allowed to be present and state opinions. Any adjustment that is made may not be inconsistent with or in violation of the collective bargaining agreement that is in effect between the public employer and the exclusive representative. END_STATUTE START_STATUTE38-1212. Decertification of exclusive representative A. Any Labor organization or any member of a labor organization may initiate decertification of a labor organization as the exclusive representative if thirty percent of the public employees in the appropriate bargaining unit make a written request to the public employee labor relations board or a local board for a decertification election. A decertification election must be held in a manner prescribed by the public employee labor relations board or local board. B. If a collective bargaining agreement is in effect for less than three years, a request for a decertification election must be made to the public employee labor relations board or a local board not earlier than ninety days and not later than sixty days before the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement. If a collective bargaining agreement is in effect for more than three years, a request for an election may be filed at any time. C. If, within the time period prescribed in Subsection B of this section, a competing labor organization files a petition that contains the signatures of at least thirty percent of the public employees in the appropriate bargaining unit, a representation election must be conducted instead of a decertification election. D. If an exclusive representative has been certified but no collective bargaining agreement is in effect, the public employee labor relations board or a local board may not accept a request for a decertification election earlier than twelve months after the labor organization has been certified as the exclusive representative. END_STATUTE START_STATUTE38-1213. Scope of bargaining; membership dues; grievance procedure; closed meetings A. Except for public retirement systems that are established pursuant to chapter 5 of this title, public employers and exclusive representatives: 1. Shall bargain in good faith on wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment and other issues agreed to by the parties. The public employer and the exclusive representative may not be required to agree to a proposal or to make a concession. 2. May enter into written collective bargaining agreements that cover employment relations. B. The obligation to collectively bargain under this article does not authorize public employers and exclusive representatives to enter into any agreement that conflicts with any state statute. If a conflict exists between a state statute and an agreement that the public employer and the exclusive representative enter into in collective bargaining, the statute governs. C. Payroll deductions of the exclusive representative's membership dues are a mandatory subject of bargaining. The amount of dues must be certified in writing by an official of the labor organization and may not include special assessments, penalties or fines. The public employer shall continue to honor payroll deductions until the public employee revokes the authorization in writing according to the negotiated agreement and for AS long as the labor organization is certified as the exclusive representative. During the time that a board certification is in effect for a particular appropriate bargaining unit, the public employer may not deduct dues for any other labor organization. D. Occupational groups as defined in section 38-1209 shall negotiate all issues at the state level. E. Any impasse resolution or any agreement provision by this state and an exclusive representative that requires the expenditure of monies must be contingent on the specific appropriation of monies by the legislature and the availability of the monies. Any impasse resolution or any agreement provision by a public employer other than this state or the public schools and an exclusive representative that requires the expenditure of monies must be contingent on the specific appropriation for wages by the appropriate governing body and the availability of the monies. Any agreement provision by a local school board and an exclusive representative that requires the expenditure of monies must be contingent on ratification by the appropriate governing body. F. Every agreement must include a grievance procedure to be used for the settlement of disputes that relate to employment terms and conditions and related personnel matters. The grievance procedure must provide for a final and binding determination. The final determination constitutes an arbitration award. If there is a judicial review of the award, the court shall determine whether the award is arbitrary, unlawful, unreasonable, capricious or not based on substantial evidence. The costs of any arbitration proceeding that is conducted pursuant to this section must be shared equally by the parties. G. Notwithstanding chapter 3, article 3.1 of this title, the following must be closed: 1. Meetings in which bargaining strategy is preliminary to collective bargaining negotiations between a public employer and the exclusive representative of the public employees of the public employer. 2. Collective bargaining sessions. 3. Consultations and impasse resolution procedures if the public employer and the exclusive representative of the appropriate bargaining unit are present. END_STATUTE START_STATUTE38-1214. Impasse resolution; mediation; arbitration A. The following negotiations and impasse procedures must be followed between this state and the exclusive representative for state employees: 1. the exclusive representative to this state shall file a request for the beginning of initial negotiations in writing not later than June 1 of the year in which negotiations are to take place. Negotiations must begin not later than July 1 of that year. 2. In the years following initial negotiations pursuant to paragraph 1 of this subsection, negotiations that this state and the exclusive representative agree to must begin not later than August 1 following the exclusive representative's submission of written notice to this state. The exclusive representative shall submit the written notice to this state by July 1 of the year in which negotiations are to take place. 3. If an impasse occurs during negotiations between this state and the exclusive representative and no agreement is reached by October 1, this state or the exclusive representative may request mediation services from the board. The board shall assign a mediator from the federal mediation and conciliation service to assist negotiations unless the parties agree to another mediator. 4. The mediator shall provide services until an agreement is reached, until the mediator believes that mediation services are no longer helpful or until December 1, whichever occurs first. 5. If the impasse continues after December 1, this state or the exclusive representative may request the formation of an arbitration panel. The arbitration panel shall address the unresolved issues. The arbitration panel shall consist of one member who is appointed by the exclusive representative, one member who is appointed by this state and a third member who is appointed by the other two members. If there is a judicial review of the decision of the arbitration panel, the court shall determine whether the decision is arbitrary, unlawful, unreasonable, capricious or not based on substantial evidence. B. Except for this state and the exclusive representative for this state, all other public employers and exclusive representatives shall follow the following impasse procedures: 1. If an impasse occurs and the public employer and the exclusive representative cannot agree on a mediator, the public employer or the exclusive representative may request from the public employee labor relations board or local board that a mediator be assigned to the negotiations. The public employee labor relations board or local board shall assign a mediator with the federal mediation and conciliation service to assist negotiations. 2. If the impasse continues after a sixty-day mediation period, either the public employer or the exclusive representative may request the formation of an arbitration panel. The arbitration panel shall consist of one member who is appointed by the exclusive representative, one member who is appointed by the public employer and a third member who is appointed by the other two members. If there is a judicial review of the decision of the arbitration panel, the court shall determine whether the decision is arbitrary, unlawful, unreasonable, capricious or not based on substantial evidence. C. Except for this state, a public employer may enter into a written agreement with the exclusive representative that establishes an alternative impasse resolution procedure. END_STATUTE START_STATUTE38-1215. Prohibited practices; public employers; public employees A. It is a prohibited practice for a public employer or its designated representative to do any of the following: 1. Interfere with, restrain or coerce, or threaten to interfere with, restrain or coerce, any employee in or because of the exercise of any rights that are guaranteed by this article. 2. Control, dominate or interfere with the formation, existence or administration of any labor organization or support or in any way encourage employees to join any organization in preference to another. 3. Discriminate or retaliate against any employee for filing a grievance or for asserting rights under this article. 4. Refuse or fail to meet and confer in good faith with the exclusive representative or refuse or fail to participate in good faith in the mediation or arbitration. 5. Deny a labor organization rights that are guaranteed to it by this article. 6. Refuse or fail to comply with this article or any rule that is adopted by the public employee labor relations board or local board. 7. Refuse or fail to comply with any collective bargaining agreement. 8. Engage in a lockout of any employees. B. It is a prohibited practice for a public employee or a labor organization to do any of the following: 1. Interfere with, restrain or coerce, or threaten to interfere with, restrain or coerce, any employee in or because of the exercise of rights that are guaranteed by this article. 2. Discriminate or retaliate against any employee for filing a grievance or for asserting rights under this article. 3. Discriminate against a public employee regarding membership in a labor organization because of race, color, creed, age, sex or national origin. 4. Refuse to enter into collective bargaining in good faith with the public employer. 5. Refuse or fail to meet and confer in good faith with the exclusive representative, including refusing or failing to participate in good faith in mediation or arbitration. 6. Refuse or fail to comply with any collective bargaining agreement or this article. 7. Picket homes or private businesses of elected officials or public employees. 8. Induce, authorize or participate in a strike against any public employer. END_STATUTE START_STATUTE38-1216. Strikes and lockouts; prohibition; decertification A. A public employee or labor organization may not engage in a strike. A labor organization may not cause, instigate, encourage or support a public employee strike. A public employer may not cause, instigate or engage in any public employee lockout. B. A public employer may bring an action for injunctive relief to end a strike. The exclusive representative of public employees who are affected by a lockout may bring an action for injunctive relief to end a lockout. C. Any labor organization that causes, instigates, encourages or supports a public employee strike, walkout or slowdown may be decertified as the exclusive representative for that appropriate bargaining unit by either the public employee labor relations board or a local board and may not serve as the exclusive representative of any bargaining unit of public employees for a period of not more than one year. END_STATUTE START_STATUTE38-1217. Agreements; enforcement All collective bargaining agreements and other agreements between public employers and exclusive representatives are valid and enforceable according to the terms of the agreement if entered into pursuant to this article. END_STATUTE START_STATUTE38-1218. Judicial enforcement A. The terms of any agreement may be enforced by either party by a civil action in the superior court in the county in which the agreement was made. The public employee labor relations board or a local board may request the court to enforce an order that is issued pursuant to this article, including orders for appropriate temporary relief and restraining orders. The court shall consider the request for enforcement on the record made before the public employee labor relations board or local board. The court shall uphold the action of the public employee labor relations board or local board and take appropriate action to enforce the public employee labor relations board's or local board's action unless the court concludes that the order is: 1. Arbitrary, capricious or an abuse of discretion. 2. Not supported by substantial evidence on the record considered as a whole. 3. Not in accordance with law. B. Any person or party, including any labor organization that is affected by a final rule, order or decision of the public employee labor relations board or a local board, may appeal to the court for further relief. All appeals must be based on the record made at the public employee labor relations board or local board hearing. All appeals to the court must be taken within thirty days after the date of the final rule, order or decision of the public employee labor relations board or local board. Actions that are taken by the public employee labor relations board or local board must be affirmed unless the court concludes that the action is: 1. Arbitrary, capricious or an abuse of discretion. 2. Not supported by substantial evidence on the record taken as a whole. 3. Not in accordance with law. END_STATUTE Sec. 2. Section 41-1092.02, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE41-1092.02. Appealable agency actions; application of procedural rules; exemption from article A. This article applies to all contested cases as defined in section 41-1001 and all appealable agency actions, except contested cases with or appealable agency actions of: 1. The state department of corrections. 2. The board of executive clemency. 3. The industrial commission of Arizona. 4. The Arizona corporation commission. 5. The Arizona board of regents and institutions under its jurisdiction. 6. The state personnel board. 7. The department of juvenile corrections. 8. The department of transportation, except as provided in title 28, chapter 30, article 2. 9. The department of economic security except as provided in section 46-458. 10. The department of revenue regarding: (a) Income tax or withholding tax. (b) Any tax issue related to information associated with the reporting of income tax or withholding tax unless the taxpayer requests in writing that this article apply and waives confidentiality under title 42, chapter 2, article 1. 11. The board of tax appeals. 12. The state board of equalization. 13. The state board of education, but only in connection with contested cases and appealable agency actions related to either: (a) Applications for issuance or renewal of a certificate and discipline of certificate holders and noncertificated persons pursuant to sections 15-203, 15-505, 15-534, 15-534.01, 15-535, 15-545 and 15-550. (b) The Arizona empowerment scholarship account program pursuant to title 15, chapter 19. 14. The board of fingerprinting. 15. The department of child safety except as provided in sections 8-506.01 and 8-811. 16. The public employee labor relations board. B. Unless waived by all parties, an administrative law judge shall conduct all hearings under this article, and the procedural rules set forth in this article and rules made by the director apply. C. Except as provided in subsection A of this section: 1. A contested case heard by the office of administrative hearings regarding taxes administered under title 42 shall be subject to section 42-1251. 2. A final decision of the office of administrative hearings regarding taxes administered under title 42 may be appealed by either party to the director of the department of revenue, or a taxpayer may file and appeal directly to the board of tax appeals pursuant to section 42-1253. D. Except as provided in subsections A, B, E, F and G of this section and notwithstanding any other administrative proceeding or judicial review process established in statute or administrative rule, this article applies to all appealable agency actions and to all contested cases. E. Except for a contested case or an appealable agency action regarding unclaimed property, sections 41-1092.03, 41-1092.08 and 41-1092.09 do not apply to the department of revenue. F. The board of appeals established by section 37-213 is exempt from: 1. The time frames for hearings and decisions provided in section 41-1092.05, subsection A, section 41-1092.08 and section 41-1092.09. 2. The requirement in section 41-1092.06, subsection A to hold an informal settlement conference at the appellant's request if the sole subject of an appeal pursuant to section 37-215 is the estimate of value reported in an appraisal of lands or improvements. G. Auction protest procedures pursuant to title 37, chapter 2, article 4.1 are exempt from this article. END_STATUTE Sec. 3. Title 41, chapter 27, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 41-3033.01, to read: START_STATUTE41-3033.01. Public employee labor relations board; termination July 1, 2033 A. The Public employee labor relations board terminates on July 1, 2033. B. Title 38, chapter 9 and this section are repealed on January 1, 2034. END_STATUTE Sec. 4. Purpose Pursuant to section 41-2955, subsection E, Arizona Revised Statutes, the purpose of the public employee labor relations board is to encourage conciliation, mediation and voluntary arbitration, to aid and encourage employers and their employees to reach and maintain collective bargaining agreements concerning rates of pay, hours and working conditions and to make all reasonable efforts through negotiations to settle their differences by mutual agreement reached through collective bargaining or by those methods as may be provided for in any applicable agreement for the settlement of disputes.
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8282 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
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8484 Section 1. Title 38, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding chapter 9, to read:
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8686 CHAPTER 9
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8888 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE BARGAINING ACT
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9090 ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
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9292 START_STATUTE38-1201. Definitions
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9494 In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
9595
9696 1. "Appropriate bargaining unit" means a group of public employees designated by the public employee labor relations board or a local board for the purpose of collective bargaining.
9797
9898 2. "Appropriate governing body" means the policymaking body or individual representing a public employer.
9999
100100 3. "Board" means the public employee labor relations board.
101101
102102 4. "Certification" or "certifying" means the designation by the public employee labor relations board of a labor organization or a local board of a labor organization as the exclusive representative for all public employees in an appropriate bargaining unit.
103103
104104 5. "Collective bargaining" means the act of negotiating between a public employer and an exclusive representative for the purpose of entering into a written agreement regarding wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.
105105
106106 6. "Confidential employee" means an individual who assists and acts in a confidential capacity to an individual who formulates, determines and effectuates management policies for meeting and conferring.
107107
108108 7. "Exclusive representative" means the labor organization that is certified to be the sole meet-and-confer agent of all public employees in the appropriate bargaining unit for the purposes of collective bargaining.
109109
110110 8. "Impasse" means the failure of a public employer and an exclusive representative, after good faith bargaining, to reach agreement in the course of negotiating a collective bargaining agreement.
111111
112112 9. "Labor organization" means an employee organization whose purpose is the representation of public employees in collective bargaining and in meeting, consulting and conferring with public employers on matters pertaining to employment relations.
113113
114114 10. "Local board" means a local labor relations board that is established by a public employer that is a political subdivision of this state through ordinance, resolution or charter amendment.
115115
116116 11. "Lockout" means an act by a public employer to prevent its public employees from going to work for the purpose of resisting the demands of the public employees' exclusive representative or for the purpose of gaining a concession from the exclusive representative.
117117
118118 12. "Management employee":
119119
120120 (a) Means a public employee who is engaged primarily in executive and management functions and who is charged with the responsibility of developing, administering or effectuating management policies.
121121
122122 (b) Does not include a public employee who participates in cooperative decision-making programs on an occasional basis.
123123
124124 13. "Mediation" means assistance by an impartial third party to resolve, through interpretation, suggestion and advice, an impasse between a public employer and an exclusive representative regarding employment relations.
125125
126126 14. "Public employee":
127127
128128 (a) Means an employee of this state or any political subdivision of this state.
129129
130130 (b) Does not include elected officials or individuals who are appointed to serve on boards or commissions.
131131
132132 15. "Public employer" means this state and any political subdivision of this state.
133133
134134 16. "Strike" means a public employee's refusal in concerted action with others to report for duty, an employee's wilful absence from the employee's position or the stopping of work or the absence from the full, faithful or proper performance of duties for the purpose of inducing, influencing or coercing a change in the conditions, compensation, rights, privileges or obligations of public employment.
135135
136136 17. "Supervisor" means an individual who is employed by a public employer and who:
137137
138138 (a) Has the authority in the interest of the public employer to hire, transfer, furlough, lay off, recall, suspend, discipline or remove other public employees, if the exercise of the authority is not merely routine or clerical in nature but requires the consistent exercise of independent judgment.
139139
140140 (b) Devotes a majority of time at work exercising this authority. END_STATUTE
141141
142142 START_STATUTE38-1202. Public employee rights
143143
144144 A. Public employees may form, join and participate in, or refrain from forming, joining or participating in, any labor organization.
145145
146146 B. Public employees may be represented by the exclusive representative and may meet and confer through the exclusive representative with their public employer in determining the terms and conditions of their employment, including the right to be represented in determining grievances on all terms and conditions of employment.
147147
148148 C. Public employees may engage in concerted activities that are not prohibited by law for the purpose of meeting and conferring on other mutual aid or protection or may refrain from engaging in these activities.
149149
150150 D. Public employees may exercise the rights provided for in this section free from interference, intimidation, restraint, coercion or discrimination. END_STATUTE
151151
152152 START_STATUTE38-1203. Public employer rights
153153
154154 In addition to all of the powers, rights and duties that are established by law, a public employer has the right to:
155155
156156 1. Determine the mission of its agencies, set standards of service to be offered to the public and exercise control over its organization and operations.
157157
158158 2. Direct, promote or assign its employees, take disciplinary action for just cause and relieve its employees from duty for lack of work. END_STATUTE
159159
160160 START_STATUTE38-1204. Appropriate governing body
161161
162162 A. The appropriate governing body is as follows:
163163
164164 1. For this state, the governor or the governor's designee.
165165
166166 2. For a constitutionally created body, the designated head of that body.
167167
168168 3. For a local public body, the elected or appointed representative body or individual charged with managing the local public body.
169169
170170 B. If there is a dispute regarding who the appropriate governing body is, the board shall determine the appropriate governing body. END_STATUTE
171171
172172 START_STATUTE38-1205. Public employee labor relations board; membership; appointments; director; compensation
173173
174174 A. The public employee labor relations board is established.
175175
176176 B. The board consists of the following members who are appointed by the governor:
177177
178178 1. One member who is involved in representing public employees.
179179
180180 2. One member who is a public employer and who is actively involved in collective bargaining.
181181
182182 3. One member who is jointly recommended by the members who are appointed pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2 of this subsection.
183183
184184 C. Board members serve a term of one year. Vacancies that occur, other than by the expiration of a term, must be filled in the same manner for the balance of the unexpired term. During the appointed term, a board member may not be a candidate for public office, hold a public office, be a public employee or be an employee of a union or an organization that represents public employees or public employers. Board members may serve an unlimited number of terms.
185185
186186 D. The board shall appoint a director who is eligible to receive compensation Pursuant to section 38-611.
187187
188188 E. Board members are eligible to receive compensation pursuant to section 38-611 and are eligible to receive reimbursement of expenses pursuant to chapter 4, article 2 of this title. END_STATUTE
189189
190190 START_STATUTE38-1206. Public employee labor relations board; powers and duties; prohibition
191191
192192 A. The board shall:
193193
194194 1. Adopt rules that are necessary to administer this article, including rules for:
195195
196196 (a) Designating appropriate bargaining units.
197197
198198 (b) Selecting, certifying and decertifying exclusive representatives.
199199
200200 (c) Filing, hearing and determining complaints of prohibited practices.
201201
202202 2. Administer and enforce this article and rules that are adopted pursuant to this article and use appropriate administrative remedies to enforce this article.
203203
204204 3. Hold hearings and make inquiries that are necessary to carry out its functions and duties.
205205
206206 4. Conduct studies on problems that relate to employee and employer relations.
207207
208208 5. Request from public employers and labor organizations the information and data that are necessary to carry out the board's functions and responsibilities.
209209
210210 6. Decide all issues by majority vote and issue its decisions in the form of written orders and opinions.
211211
212212 B. The board may:
213213
214214 1. Issue subpoenas that require, on reasonable notice, the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of any evidence, including books, records, correspondence or documents that relate to any matter in question.
215215
216216 2. Prescribe the form of subpoena that is in a form used in civil actions in superior court.
217217
218218 3. Administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses and receive evidence.
219219
220220 4. Hire personnel or contract with third parties to assist the board in its functions.
221221
222222 C. The board may not require any public employee to pay money to any labor organization as a condition of employment. END_STATUTE
223223
224224 START_STATUTE38-1207. Local boards; members; powers and duties
225225
226226 A. Except for this state and If the public employee labor relations board approves, a public employer by ordinance, resolution or charter amendment may establish a local board that is similar to the public employee labor relations board. If established and approved, the local board shall assume the duties and responsibilities of the public employee labor relations board. A local board shall follow all provisions of this article that apply to the public employee labor relations board unless otherwise approved by the public employee labor relations board.
227227
228228 B. A local board shall consist of the following members who are appointed by the public employer:
229229
230230 1. One member who represents public employees.
231231
232232 2. One member who represents management.
233233
234234 3. One member who is jointly recommended by the members who are appointed pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2 of this subsection.
235235
236236 C. Local board members serve a term of one year. Vacancies that occur, other than by the expiration of a term, must be filled in the same manner for the balance of the unexpired term. During the appointed term, a local board member may not be a candidate for public office, hold a public office, be a public employee or be an employee of a union or an organization that represents public employees or public employers. Board members may serve an unlimited number of terms.
237237
238238 D. Local board members are eligible to receive compensation and reimbursement of expenses.
239239
240240 E. The Local board shall:
241241
242242 1. Adopt rules that are necessary to administer this article, including rules for:
243243
244244 (a) Designating appropriate bargaining units.
245245
246246 (b) Selecting, certifying and decertifying exclusive representatives.
247247
248248 (c) Filing, hearing and determining complaints of prohibited practices.
249249
250250 2. Administer and enforce this article and rules that are adopted pursuant to this article and use appropriate administrative remedies to enforce this article.
251251
252252 3. Hold hearings and make inquiries that are necessary to carry out its functions and duties.
253253
254254 4. Conduct studies on problems that relate to employee and employer relations.
255255
256256 5. Request from public employers and labor organizations the information and data that are necessary to carry out the local board's functions and responsibilities.
257257
258258 6. Decide all issues by majority vote and issue its decisions in the form of written orders and opinions.
259259
260260 F. The local board may:
261261
262262 1. Issue subpoenas that require, on reasonable notice, the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of any evidence, including books, records, correspondence or documents that relate to any matter in question.
263263
264264 2. Prescribe the form of subpoena that is in a form used in civil actions in superior court.
265265
266266 3. Administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses and receive evidence.
267267
268268 4. Hire personnel or contract with third parties to assist the local board in its functions. END_STATUTE
269269
270270 START_STATUTE38-1208. Hearing procedures
271271
272272 A. The public employee labor relations board or a local board may hold hearings to gather information, make inquiries, adopt rules, adjudicate disputes and enforce this article.
273273
274274 B. The public employee labor relations board or a local board shall adopt rules to govern procedures for the hearings. The rules that are adopted under this subsection must include all minimal due process requirements that the United States constitution and the Arizona constitution require.
275275
276276 C. The public employee labor relations board or a local board may appoint a hearing officer to conduct any adjudication hearing that is authorized by the public employee labor relations board or local board. At the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing officer shall prepare a written report, including findings and recommendations, and shall submit the report to the public employee labor relations board or local board for its decision.
277277
278278 D. The public employee labor relations board or a local board may not propose to adopt a rule that affects any person or governmental entity outside of the public employee labor relations board's or local board's jurisdiction. The public employee labor relations board or local board shall conduct a public hearing to adopt, amend or repeal any rule and allow a public hearing and comment on the proposed action before the public employee labor relations board or local board. The public hearing must be held after notice of the subject matter of the rule, the action proposed to be taken, the time and place of the hearing, the manner in which interested persons may present their views and the method by which copies of the proposed rule, proposed amendment or repeal of an existing rule may be obtained. All meetings of the public employee labor relations board must be held in Phoenix. All meetings of local boards must be held in the county of residence of the local public employer. The public employee labor relations board or local board shall publish a notice at least thirty days before the hearing date in a newspaper of general circulation in this state or, in the case of a local board hearing, in a newspaper of general circulation in the county. The public employee labor relations board or local board shall mail a notice at least thirty days before the hearing date to all persons that have made a written request for advance notice of hearings.
279279
280280 E. The public employee labor relations board or local board shall make an electronic record of all hearings. END_STATUTE
281281
282282 START_STATUTE38-1209. Appropriate bargaining units; representation election; composition hearing; definitions
283283
284284 A. On receipt of a petition for a representation election that a labor organization files, the public employee labor relations board or a local board shall designate the appropriate bargaining units for collective bargaining. Appropriate bargaining units must be established on the basis of occupational groups. Essential factors in determining appropriate bargaining units must include the principles of efficient administration of government, the history of collective bargaining and the assurance to public employees of the fullest freedom in exercising the rights that are guaranteed by this article.
285285
286286 B. Within thirty days after a disagreement between a public employer and a labor organization concerning the composition of an appropriate bargaining unit, the public employee labor relations board or a local board shall hold a hearing concerning the composition of the bargaining unit before designating an appropriate bargaining unit.
287287
288288 C. The public employee labor relations board or a local board may not include in any appropriate bargaining unit supervisors, management employees or confidential employees.
289289
290290 D. For the purposes of this section:
291291
292292 1. "Occupational groups":
293293
294294 (a) Means a clear and identifiable community of interest in employment terms and conditions and related personnel matters among the public employees involved.
295295
296296 (b) Includes employees of blue-collar, secretarial, clerical, technical, professional, paraprofessional, police, fire and corrections positions.
297297
298298 2. "Professional" means work that is predominantly intellectual and varied in character, that involves the consistent exercise of discretion and judgment in its performance and that requires knowledge of an advanced nature in a field of learning that customarily requires specialized study at an institution of higher education or its equivalent. END_STATUTE
299299
300300 START_STATUTE38-1210. Elections
301301
302302 A. If, in accordance with rules that are adopted by the public employee labor relations board or a local board, a labor organization files a petition with the public employee labor relations board or local board and the petition contains the signatures of at least thirty percent of the public employees in an appropriate bargaining unit, the public employee labor relations board or local board shall conduct a secret ballot representation election to determine whether and by which labor organization the public employees in the appropriate bargaining unit shall be represented. The ballot must contain the following:
303303
304304 1. The names of any labor organization that submits a petition that contains signatures of at least ten percent of the public employees within the appropriate bargaining unit.
305305
306306 2. A provision that allows the public employees to indicate whether the public employees desire to be represented by a labor organization.
307307
308308 B. After a labor organization files a valid petition with the public employee labor relations board or a local board that calls for a representation election, other labor organizations may seek to be placed on the ballot by filing a petition that contains the signatures of at least ten percent of the public employees in the appropriate bargaining unit. The petition must be filed not later than ten days after the public employee labor relations board or local board and the public employer post a written notice that the petition that contains the signatures of at least thirty percent of the public employees has been filed by a labor organization.
309309
310310 C. Notwithstanding subsection a of this section, the public employee labor relations board or a local board may establish an alternative appropriate procedure for determining majority status. The public employee labor relations board or local board may not certify any appropriate bargaining unit if the public employer objects to the certification without an election.
311311
312312 D. Within fifteen days after an election in which a majority of the employees indicate the desire to be represented by a labor organization, but no labor organization receives a majority of the votes cast, a runoff election between the two choices that receive the largest number of votes cast must be conducted. The public employee labor relations board or a local board shall certify the results of the election. If a labor organization receives a majority of the votes cast, the public employee labor relations board or local board shall certify the labor organization as the exclusive representative of all public employees in the appropriate bargaining unit.
313313
314314 E. An election may not be conducted if an election or runoff election has been conducted within the twelve months that immediately precede the proposed representation election. An election may not be held during the term of an existing collective bargaining agreement except as provided by section 38-1212. END_STATUTE
315315
316316 START_STATUTE38-1211. Exclusive representation
317317
318318 A. A labor organization that has been certified by the public employee labor relations board or a local board to represent public employees in an appropriate bargaining unit is the exclusive representative of all public employees in the appropriate bargaining unit. The exclusive representative shall act for all public employees in the appropriate bargaining unit and negotiate a collective bargaining agreement that covers all public employees in the appropriate bargaining unit. The exclusive representative shall represent the interests of all public employees in the appropriate bargaining unit without discrimination or regard to membership in the labor organization.
319319
320320 B. This section does not prevent a public employee from acting individually and presenting a grievance without the intervention of the exclusive representative. If a public employee individually brings a grievance at any hearing, the exclusive representative is allowed to be present and state opinions. Any adjustment that is made may not be inconsistent with or in violation of the collective bargaining agreement that is in effect between the public employer and the exclusive representative. END_STATUTE
321321
322322 START_STATUTE38-1212. Decertification of exclusive representative
323323
324324 A. Any Labor organization or any member of a labor organization may initiate decertification of a labor organization as the exclusive representative if thirty percent of the public employees in the appropriate bargaining unit make a written request to the public employee labor relations board or a local board for a decertification election. A decertification election must be held in a manner prescribed by the public employee labor relations board or local board.
325325
326326 B. If a collective bargaining agreement is in effect for less than three years, a request for a decertification election must be made to the public employee labor relations board or a local board not earlier than ninety days and not later than sixty days before the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement. If a collective bargaining agreement is in effect for more than three years, a request for an election may be filed at any time.
327327
328328 C. If, within the time period prescribed in Subsection B of this section, a competing labor organization files a petition that contains the signatures of at least thirty percent of the public employees in the appropriate bargaining unit, a representation election must be conducted instead of a decertification election.
329329
330330 D. If an exclusive representative has been certified but no collective bargaining agreement is in effect, the public employee labor relations board or a local board may not accept a request for a decertification election earlier than twelve months after the labor organization has been certified as the exclusive representative. END_STATUTE
331331
332332 START_STATUTE38-1213. Scope of bargaining; membership dues; grievance procedure; closed meetings
333333
334334 A. Except for public retirement systems that are established pursuant to chapter 5 of this title, public employers and exclusive representatives:
335335
336336 1. Shall bargain in good faith on wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment and other issues agreed to by the parties. The public employer and the exclusive representative may not be required to agree to a proposal or to make a concession.
337337
338338 2. May enter into written collective bargaining agreements that cover employment relations.
339339
340340 B. The obligation to collectively bargain under this article does not authorize public employers and exclusive representatives to enter into any agreement that conflicts with any state statute. If a conflict exists between a state statute and an agreement that the public employer and the exclusive representative enter into in collective bargaining, the statute governs.
341341
342342 C. Payroll deductions of the exclusive representative's membership dues are a mandatory subject of bargaining. The amount of dues must be certified in writing by an official of the labor organization and may not include special assessments, penalties or fines. The public employer shall continue to honor payroll deductions until the public employee revokes the authorization in writing according to the negotiated agreement and for AS long as the labor organization is certified as the exclusive representative. During the time that a board certification is in effect for a particular appropriate bargaining unit, the public employer may not deduct dues for any other labor organization.
343343
344344 D. Occupational groups as defined in section 38-1209 shall negotiate all issues at the state level.
345345
346346 E. Any impasse resolution or any agreement provision by this state and an exclusive representative that requires the expenditure of monies must be contingent on the specific appropriation of monies by the legislature and the availability of the monies. Any impasse resolution or any agreement provision by a public employer other than this state or the public schools and an exclusive representative that requires the expenditure of monies must be contingent on the specific appropriation for wages by the appropriate governing body and the availability of the monies. Any agreement provision by a local school board and an exclusive representative that requires the expenditure of monies must be contingent on ratification by the appropriate governing body.
347347
348348 F. Every agreement must include a grievance procedure to be used for the settlement of disputes that relate to employment terms and conditions and related personnel matters. The grievance procedure must provide for a final and binding determination. The final determination constitutes an arbitration award. If there is a judicial review of the award, the court shall determine whether the award is arbitrary, unlawful, unreasonable, capricious or not based on substantial evidence. The costs of any arbitration proceeding that is conducted pursuant to this section must be shared equally by the parties.
349349
350350 G. Notwithstanding chapter 3, article 3.1 of this title, the following must be closed:
351351
352352 1. Meetings in which bargaining strategy is preliminary to collective bargaining negotiations between a public employer and the exclusive representative of the public employees of the public employer.
353353
354354 2. Collective bargaining sessions.
355355
356356 3. Consultations and impasse resolution procedures if the public employer and the exclusive representative of the appropriate bargaining unit are present. END_STATUTE
357357
358358 START_STATUTE38-1214. Impasse resolution; mediation; arbitration
359359
360360 A. The following negotiations and impasse procedures must be followed between this state and the exclusive representative for state employees:
361361
362362 1. the exclusive representative to this state shall file a request for the beginning of initial negotiations in writing not later than June 1 of the year in which negotiations are to take place. Negotiations must begin not later than July 1 of that year.
363363
364364 2. In the years following initial negotiations pursuant to paragraph 1 of this subsection, negotiations that this state and the exclusive representative agree to must begin not later than August 1 following the exclusive representative's submission of written notice to this state. The exclusive representative shall submit the written notice to this state by July 1 of the year in which negotiations are to take place.
365365
366366 3. If an impasse occurs during negotiations between this state and the exclusive representative and no agreement is reached by October 1, this state or the exclusive representative may request mediation services from the board. The board shall assign a mediator from the federal mediation and conciliation service to assist negotiations unless the parties agree to another mediator.
367367
368368 4. The mediator shall provide services until an agreement is reached, until the mediator believes that mediation services are no longer helpful or until December 1, whichever occurs first.
369369
370370 5. If the impasse continues after December 1, this state or the exclusive representative may request the formation of an arbitration panel. The arbitration panel shall address the unresolved issues. The arbitration panel shall consist of one member who is appointed by the exclusive representative, one member who is appointed by this state and a third member who is appointed by the other two members. If there is a judicial review of the decision of the arbitration panel, the court shall determine whether the decision is arbitrary, unlawful, unreasonable, capricious or not based on substantial evidence.
371371
372372 B. Except for this state and the exclusive representative for this state, all other public employers and exclusive representatives shall follow the following impasse procedures:
373373
374374 1. If an impasse occurs and the public employer and the exclusive representative cannot agree on a mediator, the public employer or the exclusive representative may request from the public employee labor relations board or local board that a mediator be assigned to the negotiations. The public employee labor relations board or local board shall assign a mediator with the federal mediation and conciliation service to assist negotiations.
375375
376376 2. If the impasse continues after a sixty-day mediation period, either the public employer or the exclusive representative may request the formation of an arbitration panel. The arbitration panel shall consist of one member who is appointed by the exclusive representative, one member who is appointed by the public employer and a third member who is appointed by the other two members. If there is a judicial review of the decision of the arbitration panel, the court shall determine whether the decision is arbitrary, unlawful, unreasonable, capricious or not based on substantial evidence.
377377
378378 C. Except for this state, a public employer may enter into a written agreement with the exclusive representative that establishes an alternative impasse resolution procedure. END_STATUTE
379379
380380 START_STATUTE38-1215. Prohibited practices; public employers; public employees
381381
382382 A. It is a prohibited practice for a public employer or its designated representative to do any of the following:
383383
384384 1. Interfere with, restrain or coerce, or threaten to interfere with, restrain or coerce, any employee in or because of the exercise of any rights that are guaranteed by this article.
385385
386386 2. Control, dominate or interfere with the formation, existence or administration of any labor organization or support or in any way encourage employees to join any organization in preference to another.
387387
388388 3. Discriminate or retaliate against any employee for filing a grievance or for asserting rights under this article.
389389
390390 4. Refuse or fail to meet and confer in good faith with the exclusive representative or refuse or fail to participate in good faith in the mediation or arbitration.
391391
392392 5. Deny a labor organization rights that are guaranteed to it by this article.
393393
394394 6. Refuse or fail to comply with this article or any rule that is adopted by the public employee labor relations board or local board.
395395
396396 7. Refuse or fail to comply with any collective bargaining agreement.
397397
398398 8. Engage in a lockout of any employees.
399399
400400 B. It is a prohibited practice for a public employee or a labor organization to do any of the following:
401401
402402 1. Interfere with, restrain or coerce, or threaten to interfere with, restrain or coerce, any employee in or because of the exercise of rights that are guaranteed by this article.
403403
404404 2. Discriminate or retaliate against any employee for filing a grievance or for asserting rights under this article.
405405
406406 3. Discriminate against a public employee regarding membership in a labor organization because of race, color, creed, age, sex or national origin.
407407
408408 4. Refuse to enter into collective bargaining in good faith with the public employer.
409409
410410 5. Refuse or fail to meet and confer in good faith with the exclusive representative, including refusing or failing to participate in good faith in mediation or arbitration.
411411
412412 6. Refuse or fail to comply with any collective bargaining agreement or this article.
413413
414414 7. Picket homes or private businesses of elected officials or public employees.
415415
416416 8. Induce, authorize or participate in a strike against any public employer. END_STATUTE
417417
418418 START_STATUTE38-1216. Strikes and lockouts; prohibition; decertification
419419
420420 A. A public employee or labor organization may not engage in a strike. A labor organization may not cause, instigate, encourage or support a public employee strike. A public employer may not cause, instigate or engage in any public employee lockout.
421421
422422 B. A public employer may bring an action for injunctive relief to end a strike. The exclusive representative of public employees who are affected by a lockout may bring an action for injunctive relief to end a lockout.
423423
424424 C. Any labor organization that causes, instigates, encourages or supports a public employee strike, walkout or slowdown may be decertified as the exclusive representative for that appropriate bargaining unit by either the public employee labor relations board or a local board and may not serve as the exclusive representative of any bargaining unit of public employees for a period of not more than one year. END_STATUTE
425425
426426 START_STATUTE38-1217. Agreements; enforcement
427427
428428 All collective bargaining agreements and other agreements between public employers and exclusive representatives are valid and enforceable according to the terms of the agreement if entered into pursuant to this article. END_STATUTE
429429
430430 START_STATUTE38-1218. Judicial enforcement
431431
432432 A. The terms of any agreement may be enforced by either party by a civil action in the superior court in the county in which the agreement was made. The public employee labor relations board or a local board may request the court to enforce an order that is issued pursuant to this article, including orders for appropriate temporary relief and restraining orders. The court shall consider the request for enforcement on the record made before the public employee labor relations board or local board. The court shall uphold the action of the public employee labor relations board or local board and take appropriate action to enforce the public employee labor relations board's or local board's action unless the court concludes that the order is:
433433
434434 1. Arbitrary, capricious or an abuse of discretion.
435435
436436 2. Not supported by substantial evidence on the record considered as a whole.
437437
438438 3. Not in accordance with law.
439439
440440 B. Any person or party, including any labor organization that is affected by a final rule, order or decision of the public employee labor relations board or a local board, may appeal to the court for further relief. All appeals must be based on the record made at the public employee labor relations board or local board hearing. All appeals to the court must be taken within thirty days after the date of the final rule, order or decision of the public employee labor relations board or local board. Actions that are taken by the public employee labor relations board or local board must be affirmed unless the court concludes that the action is:
441441
442442 1. Arbitrary, capricious or an abuse of discretion.
443443
444444 2. Not supported by substantial evidence on the record taken as a whole.
445445
446446 3. Not in accordance with law. END_STATUTE
447447
448448 Sec. 2. Section 41-1092.02, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
449449
450450 START_STATUTE41-1092.02. Appealable agency actions; application of procedural rules; exemption from article
451451
452452 A. This article applies to all contested cases as defined in section 41-1001 and all appealable agency actions, except contested cases with or appealable agency actions of:
453453
454454 1. The state department of corrections.
455455
456456 2. The board of executive clemency.
457457
458458 3. The industrial commission of Arizona.
459459
460460 4. The Arizona corporation commission.
461461
462462 5. The Arizona board of regents and institutions under its jurisdiction.
463463
464464 6. The state personnel board.
465465
466466 7. The department of juvenile corrections.
467467
468468 8. The department of transportation, except as provided in title 28, chapter 30, article 2.
469469
470470 9. The department of economic security except as provided in section 46-458.
471471
472472 10. The department of revenue regarding:
473473
474474 (a) Income tax or withholding tax.
475475
476476 (b) Any tax issue related to information associated with the reporting of income tax or withholding tax unless the taxpayer requests in writing that this article apply and waives confidentiality under title 42, chapter 2, article 1.
477477
478478 11. The board of tax appeals.
479479
480480 12. The state board of equalization.
481481
482482 13. The state board of education, but only in connection with contested cases and appealable agency actions related to either:
483483
484484 (a) Applications for issuance or renewal of a certificate and discipline of certificate holders and noncertificated persons pursuant to sections 15-203, 15-505, 15-534, 15-534.01, 15-535, 15-545 and 15-550.
485485
486486 (b) The Arizona empowerment scholarship account program pursuant to title 15, chapter 19.
487487
488488 14. The board of fingerprinting.
489489
490490 15. The department of child safety except as provided in sections 8-506.01 and 8-811.
491491
492492 16. The public employee labor relations board.
493493
494494 B. Unless waived by all parties, an administrative law judge shall conduct all hearings under this article, and the procedural rules set forth in this article and rules made by the director apply.
495495
496496 C. Except as provided in subsection A of this section:
497497
498498 1. A contested case heard by the office of administrative hearings regarding taxes administered under title 42 shall be subject to section 42-1251.
499499
500500 2. A final decision of the office of administrative hearings regarding taxes administered under title 42 may be appealed by either party to the director of the department of revenue, or a taxpayer may file and appeal directly to the board of tax appeals pursuant to section 42-1253.
501501
502502 D. Except as provided in subsections A, B, E, F and G of this section and notwithstanding any other administrative proceeding or judicial review process established in statute or administrative rule, this article applies to all appealable agency actions and to all contested cases.
503503
504504 E. Except for a contested case or an appealable agency action regarding unclaimed property, sections 41-1092.03, 41-1092.08 and 41-1092.09 do not apply to the department of revenue.
505505
506506 F. The board of appeals established by section 37-213 is exempt from:
507507
508508 1. The time frames for hearings and decisions provided in section 41-1092.05, subsection A, section 41-1092.08 and section 41-1092.09.
509509
510510 2. The requirement in section 41-1092.06, subsection A to hold an informal settlement conference at the appellant's request if the sole subject of an appeal pursuant to section 37-215 is the estimate of value reported in an appraisal of lands or improvements.
511511
512512 G. Auction protest procedures pursuant to title 37, chapter 2, article 4.1 are exempt from this article. END_STATUTE
513513
514514 Sec. 3. Title 41, chapter 27, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 41-3033.01, to read:
515515
516516 START_STATUTE41-3033.01. Public employee labor relations board; termination July 1, 2033
517517
518518 A. The Public employee labor relations board terminates on July 1, 2033.
519519
520520 B. Title 38, chapter 9 and this section are repealed on January 1, 2034. END_STATUTE
521521
522522 Sec. 4. Purpose
523523
524524 Pursuant to section 41-2955, subsection E, Arizona Revised Statutes, the purpose of the public employee labor relations board is to encourage conciliation, mediation and voluntary arbitration, to aid and encourage employers and their employees to reach and maintain collective bargaining agreements concerning rates of pay, hours and working conditions and to make all reasonable efforts through negotiations to settle their differences by mutual agreement reached through collective bargaining or by those methods as may be provided for in any applicable agreement for the settlement of disputes.