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119-s-1352119th CongressWALLET

Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a federal baseline guaranteeing public employees the right to organize and bargain collectively when state law falls short. The bill would let the Federal Labor Relations Authority apply those minimum standards while preserving existing certifications and certain state rules.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Federal union rights for public workers

If enacted, public employees and covered supervisors would get federal rights to organize and to join or not join a union. They would be able to bargain collectively through chosen representatives. Employers would have to recognize majority-chosen unions in the proper groups and put agreements in writing. The bill would require an impasse process that ends in a binding resolution. Payroll deductions for union fees would be allowed under agreement terms. Existing certifications and contracts that were in effect the day before enactment would stay valid. The bill also defines who counts as a public employee and public employer.

How states are checked for coverage

If enacted, the Federal Labor Relations Authority would decide if each State meets the federal minimum rules. The Authority must make an initial decision within 180 days and set procedures within 30 days. If a State falls short, federal rules would apply after the later of two years or the end of the State legislature's first regular session that begins after enactment. Small local governments can be exempt if they notify the Authority before the decision and have fewer than 5,000 people or fewer than 25 public employees. People and employers could ask a U.S. Court of Appeals to review Authority decisions within 60 days.

FLRA enforcement rules and funding

If enacted, the Federal Labor Relations Authority would have to write rules and set up the program within one year. The Authority could run representation elections, hold hearings, issue subpoenas, take depositions, and ask courts to enforce its orders. People could seek judicial review of Authority orders within 60 days. If the Authority does not seek enforcement, parties could bring a civil lawsuit after specified waiting periods, subject to notice rules. The bill would also authorize "such sums as may be necessary" for implementation, but it does not name dollar amounts.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

HI • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

  • Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 1/29/2026

  • Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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