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

HB 1627 modifies Oklahoma's process for resolving unfair labor practice disputes involving public employees in cities and towns. It requires written notice of alleged violations within six months and establishes a specific arbitration procedure: each party (employer and union) selects one arbitrator, who then jointly select a third; if they fail, the Federal Mediation Service provides a list for alternating strikes. The bill also changes fee rules, requiring the bargaining agent to cover their selected arbitrator's fees and the employer to cover theirs, while splitting the third arbitrator's fees equally. This applies to interest arbitration, unfair practice disputes, and union representation decisions, effective November 1, 2025.