MD HB599

Requires the State and BWI Airport Fire and Rescue Department uniformed fire employees to reach a collective bargaining agreement by September 30 of the year the existing contract expires

Establishes binding arbitration when parties reach an impasse, with each side submitting last, best, and final offers; an arbitrator selected from the American Arbitration Association's panel must choose one party's offer by December 15

Arbitrator decisions on wages are subject to State budget limitations, and arbitration costs are split equally between the parties

Exempts BWI fire employee negotiations from the standard fact-finder process that applies to other State employee bargaining units

Effective July 1, 2025; approved by Governor Wes Moore on May 20, 2025