2023 House Bill 4439 / Public Act 172

Labor: arbitration; certain references in 1969 PA 312 regarding arbitration for local police officers and firefighters; make gender neutral.

An act to amend 1969 PA 312, entitled “An act to provide for compulsory arbitration of labor disputes in municipal police and fire departments; to define such public departments; to provide for the selection of members of arbitration panels; to prescribe the procedures and authority thereof; and to provide for the enforcement and review of awards thereof,” by amending sections 5 and 7a (MCL 423.235 and 423.237a), section 5 as amended by 2011 PA 116.

Mackinac Center Analysis

Revises manner in which arbitrators are selected from MERC. Establishes permanent arbitrators as appointees of the Commission.

Introduced in the House

April 20, 2023

Introduced by Rep. Robert Bezotte (R-50) and 35 co-sponsors

Co-sponsored by Reps. Doug Wozniak (R-59), Ken Borton (R-105), Brian BeGole (R-71), Mike Mueller (R-72), Mike Harris (R-52), Kelly Breen (D-21), Nate Shannon (D-58), Samantha Steckloff (D-19), Tyrone Carter (D-1), Tullio Liberati (D-2), Regina Weiss (D-6), Kara Hope (D-74), Will Snyder (D-87), Mike McFall (D-8), Denise Mentzer (D-61), Penelope Tsernoglou (D-75), Joey Andrews (D-38), Julie Rogers (D-41), Rachel Hood (D-81), Carrie Rheingans (D-47), Jimmie Wilson (D-32), Dylan Wegela (D-26), Sharon MacDonell (D-56), Jennifer Conlin (D-48), Felicia Brabec (D-33), Alicia St. Germaine (R-62), Kathy Schmaltz (R-46), John Roth (R-104), Matt Koleszar (D-22), Carol Glanville (D-84), Jenn Hill (D-109), Pat Outman (R-91), Dale Zorn (R-34), Mark Tisdel (R-55) and Donni Steele (R-54)

Referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice

May 16, 2023

Reported without amendment

May 23, 2023

Amendment offered by Rep. Kelly Breen (D-21)

1. Amend page 3, line 8, by striking out the balance of the bill and inserting:

“Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect unless House Bill No. 4438 of the 102nd Legislature is enacted into law.”.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 90 to 16 (details)

Motion to give immediate effect by Rep. Kara Hope (D-74)

The motion prevailed by voice vote

Received in the Senate

May 24, 2023

Referred to the Committee on Labor

Sept. 21, 2023

Reported without amendment

Sept. 26, 2023

Referred to the Committee of the Whole

Oct. 3, 2023

Reported without amendment

Oct. 4, 2023

Passed in the Senate 31 to 7 (details)

Motion to give immediate effect by Sen. Sam Singh (D-28)

The motion prevailed by voice vote

Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Oct. 24, 2023