Governor Signs AB 537; Legislative Recap

Governor Brown has signed AB 537. This bill makes the following changes to the MMBA: a) requires a tentative agreement to be approved by the governing body within 30 days of presentation; and b) makes contractual arbitration subject to the California Arbitration Act.

Here’s a summary of other legislative action:

AB 25: Prohibits public agency from asking a job applicant to disclose social media password(s). ~~Passed Legislature on 9/11/13. On Governor’s desk.~~ Still in Senate.
AB 218: Prohibits public agency from asking a job applicant to disclose criminal conviction history until the agency has determined the applicant meets the minimum employment qualifications. Passed Legislature on 9/12/13. Signed by Governor.
AB 537: Makes various changes to the MMBA, including: ~~a) prohibiting ground rules that limit the ability of union negotiators to communicate directly with the employer’s governing body~~ (Note: this provision was deleted from the version sent to the Governor); b) requiring tentative agreement to be approved by the governing body within 30 days of presentation; and c) makes contractual arbitration subject to the California Arbitration Act. Passed Legislature on 9/12/13. Signed by Governor.
AB 616: Amends MMBA to require PERB to certify that an impasse exists before allowing the parties to proceed to factfinding. Did not pass Assembly by August 30 deadline.
AB 641: Allows family child care providers to unionize. PERB would have jurisdiction. CalHR would negotiate on behalf of the State. In Senate – Inactive.
AB 729: Would establish a evidentiary privilege for union representative-represented employee communications. Passed Legislature on 9/6/13. Veto.
AB 1181: Requires MMBA employers to provide reasonable time off to union representatives for bargaining, testifying at PERB hearings, and testifying at personnel and/or merit commission hearings. Signed by Governor on 9/9/13.
AB 1263: Allows medi-Cal certified medical interpreters to unionize. PERB would have jurisdiction. CalHR would negotiate on behalf of the State. Passed Legislature on 9/11/13. Veto.
SB 313: Amends POBOR to prohibit punitive action against peace officer solely because peace officer is on a Brady list. Passed Legislature on 9/12/13. Signed by Governor.
SB 765: Amends EERA to allow a supervisory peace officer employee to join or participate in a rank-and-file unit. Vetoed by Governor on 8/19/13.