Collective bargaining reform bill 3 introduced in Nevada Legislature
CARSON CITY — The third bill of the Nevada legislative session dealing with collective bargaining was introduced Thursday in the Assembly.
Assembly Bill 182 by Randy Kirner, R-Reno, is the most comprehensive bill addressing collective bargaining to be introduced so far this session.
It would clarify the rules that exclude supervisors from collective bargaining, prohibit using government funds to pay employees engaged in union activities, require employees to seek union deductions before they would be collected by a government entity, and make agreements retroactive to the date of the expiration of the previous contract.
It would also require a final contract offer to be made public, among other provisions.
On Tuesday, Sen. James Settelmeyer, R-Minden, introduced Senate Bill 168, which would establish a clear definition of what constitutes a fiscal emergency for a local government entity.
Determining that a fiscal emergency exists allows for agreements to be reopened so that government officials and union leaders can work together to respond to a budget shortfall, but there is no clear definition of what constitutes such an event, he said in a recent interview.
Right now, if a union disagrees that there is a fiscal crisis, elected officials are forced to impose layoffs or take other drastic actions rather than work collaboratively to address the concerns, Settelmeyer said.
Also introduced is Senate Bill 158, which would require local governments to post proposed labor agreements, any exhibits or other attachments to an agreement, on its website at least 10 days before an entity would take action on the agreement.
At least two other bill drafts addressing the issue are expected to be introduced this session.
Gov. Brian Sandoval in his State of the State address called for reforms to the collective bargaining process.
Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900. Find him on Twitter: @seanw801.