OK HB1210

Modifies the process for selecting a third arbitrator in fire and police arbitration disputes by replacing the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service procedure with selection by the chief judge of the district court in the municipality's judicial district.

Allows either party to object to the chief judge's selection of the third arbitrator on any grounds applicable to recusal of a district court judge.

Revises the factors arbitrators must consider, including: wage comparisons with local skilled trades and similar workers; for cities with populations of 100,000 or greater, comparison with similarly-sized municipalities; municipal revenues available to the department; and the proportion of municipal revenue dedicated to police and fire salaries and benefits.

Limits arbitrators' authority regarding municipal revenues by specifying they can only consider revenues the governing body has designated for the police or fire department, not revenues from other funds or departments.

Effective date: November 1, 2011.