(a) The process described in this section shall apply to any requests for increased funding that arise during a biennium when the State and the collective bargaining representative for State employees have agreed to a two-year collective bargaining agreement that begins in the first year of the legislative biennium.

(b) During the first year of the legislative biennium, the Legislature shall hear testimony from representatives of the Departments of Human Resources and of Finance and Management, the Office of the Defender General, the Court Administrator, and the collective bargaining representative before introducing a bill that increases funding for pay and benefits for employees of the Executive or Judicial Branches of the State of Vermont.

(c) Prior to the second year of the legislative biennium, if there are any requests to increase funding beyond what has already been agreed to as a result of the collective bargaining process, the request shall be presented to the Chairs of the House Committees on Appropriations and on Government Operations, after consultation with the Secretary of Administration, no later than November 1 of the year preceding the beginning of the second year of the biennium. If the Committee Chairs request a review, the proposal to increase funding for pay and benefits shall be submitted for study to a Committee that shall be known as the Pay Act Committee. The Pay Act Committee shall consist of two members of the House Committee on Appropriations and three members of the House Committee on Government Operations. The Pay Act Committee shall meet no more than twice before the beginning of the legislative session to hear testimony from interested parties. The Pay Act Committee shall present a report on the proposal to the House Committees on Appropriations and on Government Operations no later than January 15 for further consideration. (Added 2001, No. 116 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. May 28, 2002.)