Section 3599.55 - [Operative 7/1/2026] Procedures for investigating, hearing, and deciding cases The initial determination as to whether charges of unfair practices are justified, and, if so, what remedy is necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter, is a matter within the exclusive jurisdiction of the board, except that, in an action to recover damages due to an unlawful strike, the board shall not award strike-preparation expenses as damages, and shall not award damages for costs, expenses, or revenue losses incurred during, or as a consequence of, an unlawful strike. Procedures for investigating, hearing, and deciding these cases shall be devised and promulgated by the board and shall include all of the following:
(a) Any employee or employee organization, or the employer, has the right to file an unfair practice charge, except that the board shall not do either of the following:(1) Issue a complaint respecting a charge based upon an alleged unfair practice that occurred more than six months prior to the filing of the charge.(2) Issue a complaint respecting conduct also prohibited by the provisions of the agreement between the parties until the grievance machinery of the agreement, if it exists and covers the matter at issue, has been exhausted, either by settlement or binding arbitration. However, when the charging party demonstrates that resort to contract grievance procedures would be futile, their exhaustion is not necessary. The board has discretionary jurisdiction to review a settlement or arbitration award reached pursuant to the grievance machinery solely for the purpose of determining whether it is repugnant to the purposes of this chapter. If the board finds that the settlement or arbitration award is repugnant to the purposes of this chapter, it shall issue a complaint on the basis of a timely filed charge, and hear and decide the case on the merits; otherwise, it shall dismiss the charge. The board shall, in determining whether the charge was timely filed, consider the six-month limitation set forth in paragraph (1) to have been tolled during the time it took the charging party to exhaust the grievance machinery.(b) The board shall not enforce agreements between the parties or issue a complaint on any charge based on an alleged violation of an agreement that would not also constitute an unfair practice under this chapter.(c) The board may issue a decision and order directing an offending party to cease and desist from the unfair practice and to take such affirmative action, including, but not limited to, the reinstatement of employees with or without backpay, as will effectuate the policies of this chapter, except that the board shall not issue any decision or order that intrudes upon or interferes with the Legislature's core function of efficient and effective lawmaking or the essential operation of the Legislature.Added by Stats 2023 ch 313 (AB 1),s 1, eff. 1/1/2024.