PERA EXCLUSIONS S.B. 971:
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
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Senate Bill 971 (as introduced 2-15-12)
Sponsor: Senator Randy Richardville
Committee: Government Operations
Date Completed: 2-21-12
CONTENT
The bill would amend the public employment relations Act (PERA) to specify that an individual serving as a graduate student research assistant or an equivalent position and any individual whose position does not have sufficient indicia of an employment relationship would not be a public employee entitled to representation or collective bargaining rights under the Act.
The Act's definition of "public employee" includes a person holding a position by appointment or employment in the government of this State, in the government of one or more political subdivisions of this State, in the public school service, or in any other branch of the public service, subject to exceptions listed in the Act. The bill would add the exception described above.
MCL 423.201 Legislative Analyst: Suzanne Lowe
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact. The issue as to whether a graduate student research assistant, or a person in an equivalent position, is a public employee entitled to representation or collective bargaining rights under PERA is currently before the Michigan Employee Relation Commission.
Fiscal Analyst: Bill Bowerman
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb971/1112