It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 28-9.1-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 28-9.1 entitled "Fire Fighters' Arbitration" is hereby amended to read as follows:

{ADD 28-9.1-8. Arbitration board -- Composition. -- ADD} Within five (5) days from the expiration of the thirty (30) day period referred to in section 28-9.1-7 hereof, the bargaining agent and the corporate authorities shall each select and name one (1) arbitrator and shall immediately thereafter notify each other in writing of the name and address of the person so selected. The two (2) arbitrators so selected and named shall, within ten (10) days from and after the expiration of the five (5) day period hereinbefore mentioned, agree upon and select and name a third arbitrator. If, on the expiration of the period allowed therefor, the arbitrators are unable to agree upon the selection of a third arbitrator, the {DEL chief justice of the Rhode Island supreme court shall select a resident of Rhode Island or a person whose place of business or principal place of employment is in Rhode Island as the third arbitrator upon request in writing from either the bargaining agent or the corporate authorities. DEL} {ADD third arbitrator shall be selected in accordance with the rules and procedures of the American Arbitration Association. ADD} The third arbitrator, whether selected as a result of agreement between the two (2) arbitrators previously selected or selected by the {DEL chief justice DEL} {ADD American Arbitration Association ADD} , shall act as chairman of the arbitration board.

SECTION 2. Section 28-9.2-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 28-9.2 entitled "Policemen's Arbitration" is hereby amended to read as follows:

{ADD 28-9.2-8. Arbitration board -- Composition. -- ADD} Within five (5) days from the expiration of the thirty (30) day period referred to in section 28-9.2-7 hereof, the bargaining agent and the corporate authorities shall each select and name one (1) arbitrator and shall immediately thereafter notify each other in writing of the name and address of the person so selected. The two (2) arbitrators so selected and named shall, within ten (10) days from and after the expiration of the five (5) day period hereinbefore mentioned, agree upon and select and name a third arbitrator. If, on the expiration of the period allowed therefor, the arbitrators are unable to agree upon the selection of a third arbitrator, the {DEL chief justice of the Rhode Island supreme court shall select a resident of Rhode Island or a person whose place of business or principal place of employment is in Rhode Island as the third arbitrator upon request in writing from either the bargaining agent or the corporate authorities. DEL} {ADD third arbitrator shall be selected in accordance with the rules and procedures of the American Arbitration Association. ADD} The third arbitrator, whether selected as a result of agreement between the two (2) arbitrators previously selected or selected by the {DEL chief justice DEL} {ADD American Arbitration Association ADD} , shall act as chairman of the arbitration board.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.