Sub. H.B. 271 Summary

• Expands the definition of "public employer" under collective bargaining law to include townships with a total population of at least 5,000 (in incorporated and unincorporated areas combined) that operate fire departments, even if the unincorporated area alone has fewer than 5,000 residents.

• Clarifies that population determinations for public employer status shall be based on the most recent federal decennial census.

• Requires collective bargaining agreements between townships and fire department employee organizations to include a provision allowing the township to terminate the agreement if incorporated municipalities within the township cease receiving fire protection and the served population drops below 5,000.

• Corrects a spelling error in section 4117.09, changing "germaine" to "germane."

• Repeals existing sections 4117.01 and 4117.09 in their entirety and replaces them with the amended versions.