Cities and towns; unfair labor practices; Public Employees Relations Board; procedures; arbitration; fees and expenses; effective date.

HB 1627 creates a new mandatory arbitration process for resolving unfair labor practice disputes between public employers (like cities and towns) and employee unions in Oklahoma. It requires both sides to notify each other in writing within six months of an alleged violation, then select their own arbitrators within 10 days, with a third arbitrator chosen by agreement or from a federal list if needed. The bill specifies that each side pays for their chosen arbitrator, while the third arbitrator's fees are split equally between the parties. This process applies to interest arbitration, unfair labor practice claims, and union representation decisions, and takes effect on November 1, 2025.