BILL ANALYSIS Ó Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary Senator Kevin de León, Chair AB 1611 (Bonta) - School Employees Amended: April 21, 2014 Policy Vote: PE&R 3-2 Urgency: No Mandate: Yes Hearing Date: August 4, 2014 Consultant: Maureen Ortiz This bill does not meet the criteria for referral to the Suspense File. Bill Summary: AB 1611 requires public school employers to give reasonable written notice to the exclusive representative of a classified school employee group of their intent to make any changes to matters within the scope of representation. Fiscal Impact: Minor costs, potentially state reimbursable, to public school employers for providing the written notices (General) Background: Under the Educational Employment Relations Act (EERA), public school employees have the right to form, join, and participate in the activities of employee organizations of their choosing for the purpose of representation on all matters of employer-employee relations. The scope of representation is limited to matters relating to wages, hours of employment, and other terms and conditions of employment. The Myers-Milias-Brown Act (MMBA), the Dills Act (Dills), and the Trial Court Employees Act (TCEA) govern the relations of public agencies, the state, and trial courts with their respective employees. Each act provides that the employer provide reasonable, written notice to each recognized employee organization affected by any rule, practice, or policy directly relating to matters within the scope of representation. The EERA, currently does not provide such a notice requirement. Proposed Law: AB 1611 requires public school employers to give reasonable written notice to the exclusive representative of a classified school employee group of their intent to make any changes to matters within the scope of representation. AB 1611 (Bonta) Page 1 Staff Comments: Public Employee Retirement Board rulings already require employers to provide notice to the exclusive representatives. AB 1611 establishes this notice requirement in statute and ensures that it is in writing. Providing reasonable notice to the employee representative groups will allow the groups time to negotiate with the public school employer regarding the proposed changes. AB 1611 could result in savings from the avoidance of employee appeals to the Public Employee Relations Board.