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AB 356

Revises provisions relating to collective bargaining agreements. (BDR 23-935)

2025 Regular Session

AB 356 speeds up and realigns state employee bargaining with the budget, mandating earlier negotiations, mediation/arbitration deadlines, and including agreed costs in the budget.

Chapter 471.
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Bill Summary · AB 356

AB 356 — Summary (Chapter 471, 2025)

Status: Chapter 471 — Approved by Governor June 10, 2025 (enrolled June 6, 2025)
Introduced: January 30, 2025
Primary subject: Revisions to collective bargaining schedule and related budget/reporting requirements

Purpose / intent

AB 356 revises Nevada law governing collective bargaining between the Executive Branch (the Governor’s representative) and state employee bargaining units. The bill (1) accelerates and reorders deadlines for negotiation, mediation and arbitration so outcomes align earlier with the State’s budget process, (2) directs the Governor to include amounts agreed in collective bargaining in the biennial executive budget to the extent practicable, (3) moves the Economic Forum revenue‑projection deadline earlier, and (4) provides limited appropriations to implement changes.

Key provisions and statutory changes

  • Requires the Governor, to the extent practicable, to include in the biennial proposed executive budget any amounts to be paid as agreed in a collective bargaining agreement; if impracticable the Governor must submit a report to the Legislature explaining why on the same day the budget is submitted. (NRS 288.510)
  • Negotiations timing (NRS 288.565):
    • Parties must begin bargaining on or before April 1 of each even‑numbered year (changed from October 1), and must select a mediator and arbitrator before negotiations begin; newly designated exclusive representatives must engage in bargaining within 60 days.
  • Mediation timing (NRS 288.570):
    • For units with existing agreements, a mediator may be requested after at least six negotiation sessions or on or before September 5 of an even‑numbered year.
    • For units negotiating an initial agreement, mediation may be requested after eight sessions or 90 days after negotiations begin, whichever is earlier.
  • Arbitration timing and decision (NRS 288.575):
    • Arbitration must begin on or before September 15 of an even‑numbered year.
    • The arbitrator must render a decision on or before December 5 of an even‑numbered year.
    • The bill removes the parties’ ability to agree to a later deadline for the arbitrator’s decision.
  • Economic Forum (NRS 353.228):
    • The Economic Forum must present its written revenue/indicator projection to the Governor and Legislature on or before November 15 of each even‑numbered year (moved earlier from December 3).
  • Appropriations:
    • The bill makes appropriations to the Division of Human Resource Management (Dept. of Administration) and the Office of the Governor for personnel, operating, equipment and information services to implement the changes. (Enrolled versions include these appropriations; amounts are not specified in the summary text.)

Who is affected

  • State Executive Department (Governor’s designated bargaining representative and budget staff)
  • State employee bargaining units and their exclusive representatives
  • Mediators, arbitrators and the State Employee‑management Board processes
  • The Economic Forum and the Legislature (timing of revenue estimates)
  • State agencies administering personnel and budget functions (Division of Human Resource Management; Office of the Governor)

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Applicability centers on the regular biennial bargaining cycle (collective bargaining agreements typically begin July 1 of an odd‑numbered year and end June 30 of the next odd‑numbered year).
  • By moving bargaining, mediation and arbitration earlier in the calendar year, the statute aims to produce binding arbitration results before the Governor finalizes the biennial proposed executive budget.
  • Effective upon enactment as Chapter 471 (approved June 10, 2025).

Potential impacts

  • Policy: Aligns bargaining outcomes with budget drafting, seeking greater budget certainty for compensation changes.
  • Fiscal: State budgetary planning may change; appropriations were included to support implementation. Earlier arbitration deadlines could constrain or accelerate labor and management decision‑making.
  • Operational: Agencies must adjust internal timelines (selection of mediator/arbitrator, scheduling of sessions) to meet new deadlines.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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