Section 29-5-209 - Collective bargaining agreement(1) A collective bargaining agreement entered into pursuant to this part 2 is for a term of at least one year and no more than three years, beginning January 1 and ending December 31, unless a different beginning date is agreed to by the parties, recommended by the advisory fact-finder and accepted by the parties, or set as a result of a special election.(2) If a party requests collective bargaining by sending notice to the other party, collective bargaining is required to take place no later than July 15 of the last year of the existing collective bargaining agreement or, in the case of a newly certified or recognized exclusive representative, by July 15 of the year in which bargaining will take place. If no party requests bargaining under this section by July 15 of the last year of an existing collective bargaining agreement, the agreement will continue for the next calendar year unless the parties agree to negotiate and reach a voluntary agreement on all terms of a new contract.(3) The public employer and the exclusive representative shall begin collective bargaining for the purpose of creating a new collective bargaining agreement no later than August 25 after notice to begin collective bargaining is given pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.(4) A collective bargaining agreement may contain provisions requiring all members of the bargaining unit, as a condition of employment, to pay necessary fees and expenses germane to collective bargaining and enforcement of a collective bargaining agreement that are incurred by the exclusive representative.Added by 2013 Ch. 408,§ 1, eff. 6/5/2013.L. 2013: Entire part added, (SB 13-025), ch. 408, p. 2406, § 1, effective June 5.