House Bill 6474 Summary

• Prohibits public employers from entering into or renewing bargaining agreements that provide paid release time for union officers or representatives to conduct union business on or after the bill's effective date.

• Exempts from the prohibition: employees subject to compulsory arbitration under 1969 PA 312, corrections officers employed by county sheriffs or the Department of Corrections, and employees of state or local transit authorities receiving federal financial assistance.

• Maintains exceptions for police and fire department employees and state police troopers, who may continue to have fair-share fee arrangements requiring non-members to contribute financially to union representation.

• Requires exclusive bargaining representatives to have independent examiners verify their annual expenditure calculations for collective bargaining, contract administration, and grievance adjustment, with results filed with the commission and posted publicly.

• Establishes civil penalties up to $500 for violations of provisions prohibiting required union membership or fee payments, and allows injured individuals to sue for damages and injunctive relief with court costs and attorney fees awarded to prevailing plaintiffs.