OK HB1210

Modifies the process for selecting a third arbitrator in fire and police arbitration disputes by replacing the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service system with appointment by the chief judge of the district court, with parties allowed to object on grounds applicable to judicial recusal.

Restructures the factors arbitrators must consider when deciding disputes, removing detailed comparisons of job-specific employment characteristics and consolidating criteria to focus on wage comparisons, municipal revenue availability, and comparable city data.

For cities with populations of 100,000 or greater, requires arbitrators to compare wage rates and benefits with fire and police departments in similarly-sized municipalities both within and outside Oklahoma.

Restricts consideration of available municipal revenues to only those recurring revenues specifically designated by the governing body for police or fire departments, prohibiting arbitrators from requiring reallocation of funds from other departments.

Effective date: November 1, 2011.