MINIMUM STAFF FOR POLICE/FIRE S.B. 319:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 319 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Veronica Klinefelt
MINIMUM STAFF FOR POLICE/FIRE S.B. 319:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 319 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Veronica Klinefelt
CONTENT
The bill would amend the public employment relations Act to specify that collective bargaining between a public police or fire department bargaining unit and its employer would include minimum staffing levels within the bargaining unit; however, the bill would make this requirement voluntary if the public employer had collected less sales tax or property tax revenue than the previous fiscal year.
BRIEF RATIONALE
According to testimony, firefighters in Michigan have some of the lowest staffing levels per capita in the Midwest with approximately 50 firefighters per 100,000 people. Testimony also indicates that neighboring states like Wisconsin and Ohio have 82 and 111 firefighters per 100,000 people, respectively. Some have concern that these low staffing levels place Michigan residents at a higher risk from fire. The bill would allow public safety officers to negotiate with municipalities on staffing levels, which could improve the State's firefighter per capita ratio.
PREVIOUS LEGISLATION
(This section does not provide a comprehensive account of previous legislative efforts on this subject matter.)
Senate Bill 319 is a reintroduction of Senate Bill 1167 from the 2023-2024 Legislative Session. Senate Bill 1167 passed the Senate but saw no further action.
Legislative Analyst: Alex Krabill
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on the State and an indeterminate fiscal impact on local governmental units. There are approximately 18,000 police officers and 8,700 full-time paid firefighters that would be subject to the bill.
Date Completed: 6-18-25 Fiscal Analysts: Bruce R. Baker
Bobby Canell
floor\sb319 Bill Analysis @ www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.