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History
- Referred to civil service and pensions
- Referred to civil service and pensions
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Requires public arbitration panel to which a dispute is referred to consider above all other factors the financial ability of the public employer to pay, as defined
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Employees · Sponsor Robin Schimminger
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the civil service law, in relation to binding arbitration for certain public employees
Purpose
This bill requires a public arbitration panel to which a dispute is referred to consider above all other factors the financial ability of the public employer to pay.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 - Amends the opening paragraph of subparagraph (v) of paragraph (c) of subdivision 4 of § 209 of the Civil Service Law.
Section 2 - Amends Clause b of subparagraph (v) of paragraph (c) of subdivision 4 of § 209 of the Civil Service Law.
Section 3 - Effective date.
Current law
Civil Service Law § 209, as amended, provides that local governments are subject to binding arbitration proceedings before the Public Employees Relations Board (PERB) when negotiating with local police and fire unions, New York City transit police, and district attorneys. Civil Service Law . 209 (4) provides that a PERB biding arbitration panel shall consider the financial ability of a municipal employer to pay, but such consideration is not given the highest priority.
Justification
Currently, while Civil Service Law § 209 requires a PERB binding arbitration panel to consider the ability of a public employer to pay an award, it is not given the highest priority. Without this provision; PERB panels are free to establish contract settlements at levels that can be unaffordable or result in significant tax increases. This bill would rectify this situation to place greater emphasis on the financial ability of a public employer to pay an award without resorting to increased taxation.
Fiscal implications
Unknown, but the "ability to pay" reforms enacted by the bill are expected to result in substantial savings for localities.
Legislative history
2007-2008: S.3186/A.5958 -- CIVIL SERVICE/Gov't Employees 2005-2006: S.4942/A.3445 -- CIVIL SERVICE/Gov't Employees 2003-2004: A.5952 2001-2002: A.7331
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.