This bill, Minnesota Senate File No. 2111, proposes repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 626.892, which establishes the peace officer grievance arbitration selection procedure. If passed, the bill would eliminate a structured process for selecting arbitrators in cases where peace officers challenge disciplinary actions, discharges, or terminations through grievance arbitration.

Key Points of the Repealed Statute (§ 626.892):

• Defines grievance arbitration as binding arbitration concerning peace officer disciplinary matters under collective bargaining agreements.
• Mandates that all peace officer disputes over discipline, discharge, or termination use a specific arbitrator selection process (since September 1, 2020).
• Creates a roster of six qualified arbitrators, appointed by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Mediation Services, in consultation with law enforcement and community stakeholders.
• Regulates arbitrator qualifications, training, fees, and terms, including a focus on labor law and issues relevant to policing, such as cultural competency and implicit bias.
• Establishes that arbitrators are selected on a rotating basis, preventing officers and employers from negotiating or selecting their arbitrator.
• Supersedes conflicting labor laws and collective bargaining agreements related to police disciplinary arbitration.

Effect of the Repeal:

• The structured arbitration selection process for peace officer discipline cases would be eliminated.
• Existing laws governing general labor arbitration would apply instead.
• Law enforcement agencies and officers may negotiate alternative procedures for selecting arbitrators.

If passed, this bill would fundamentally alter how Minnesota handles peace officer disciplinary grievance arbitrations by removing the current state-mandated selection process.