TX SB777

Allows municipal charters and collective bargaining agreements to establish their own impasse resolution mechanisms for firefighter labor disputes, which take precedence over state arbitration provisions when conflicts arise

Creates mandatory binding interest arbitration for municipalities with populations between 950,000 and 1,050,000 (targeting Austin) when collective bargaining with fire department employee associations reaches an impasse

Establishes a three-person arbitration board selection process requiring parties to choose arbitrators within 5 days, with the American Arbitration Association providing a list of neutral candidates if arbitrators cannot agree on a third member

Requires arbitration boards to consider specific factors when making awards: collective bargaining history, comparable public sector compensation, cost of living changes (CPI-W), employment conditions, and the municipality's available revenues and taxpayer impact

Validates existing impasse resolution provisions in municipal charters, collective bargaining agreements, and arbitration awards as of the effective date, with immediate effect upon two-thirds legislative approval or September 1, 2025