1. (a) Except as provided by Sections 174.1535 and 174.165 and Subchapter E-1, a public employer or an association that is a bargaining agent may request the appointment of an arbitration board if:

   1. (1) the parties:

      1. (A) reach an impasse in collective bargaining; or
      2. (B) are unable to settle after the appropriate lawmaking body fails to approve a contract reached through collective bargaining;
   2. (2) the parties made every reasonable effort, including mediation, to settle the dispute through good-faith collective bargaining; and
   3. (3) the public employer or association gives written notice to the other party, specifying the issue in dispute.

2. (b) A request for arbitration must be made not later than the fifth day after:

   1. (1) the date an impasse was reached under Section 174.152; or
   2. (2) the expiration of an extension period under Section 174.152.

3. (c) An election by both parties to arbitrate must:

   1. (1) be made not later than the fifth day after the date arbitration is requested; and
   2. (2) be a written agreement to arbitrate.
4. (d) A party may not request arbitration more than once in a fiscal year.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 342 (S.B. 736), Sec. 1, eff. June 2, 2023.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 901 (S.B. 777), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2025.