Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act

HR 1505, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, establishes federal standards for collective bargaining rights for public safety officers (including police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel) in states that do not meet minimum requirements. The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) will determine after 180 days whether a state law "substantially provides" key rights, such as forming unions, negotiating wages/hours, and using binding arbitration to resolve disputes. If a state fails this assessment, federal bargaining rules apply within two years, but existing state laws with stronger protections remain valid. The bill explicitly respects state laws that exceed its standards and exempts small jurisdictions (under 5,000 population or 25 full-time employees).