Honorable Ray Allen, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB466 by Bailey (Relating to conditions of employment for peace officers and detention officers employed by certain counties.), As Introduced
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would authorize within certain counties that peace officers and detention officers may petition the county to establish meet and confer bargaining. The bill would provide the parameters of establishing and operating under meet and confer, including the option of elections to be held by the county for a public vote regarding establishing or repealing a meet and confer agreement. The bill would take effect September 1, 2005.
Local Government Impact
Under the provisions of the bill, if a county were to establish a meet and confer system with its peace officers and detention officers, the county would incur administrative costs associated with participating in the process, which are not expected to be significant. If the county were to hold a public election on the issue, the county would incur the costs of an election. Based on information reported by local government entities to the Secretary of State's office in 2004, the average cost of an election is $1.29 per registered voter. Total election costs would vary by county.