HLS 14RS-482 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 676
BY REPRESENTATIVE HUNTER
EMPLOYMENT/WAGES-MI NIMUM: Provides a local minimum wage for the city of
Monroe
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 23:643 and 644, relative to minimum wage; to establish a minimum wage in2
the city of Monroe; to provide for an increase after one year; to provide for tipped3
employees; to provide for penalties; and to provide for related matters.4
Notice of intention to introduce this Act has been published5
as provided by Article III, Section 13 of the Constitution of6
Louisiana.7
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:8
Section 1. R.S. 23:643 and 644 are hereby enacted to read as follows:9
§643. Minimum wage; city of Monroe; establishment10
A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the minimum11
wage in the city of Monroe is established and set as follows:12
(1) Beginning January 1, 2015, the minimum wage shall be set at seven13
dollars and twenty-five cents per hour. Every employer in the city of Monroe shall14
pay to each employee wages at a rate of not less than seven dollars and twenty-five15
cents per hour for hours worked in a pay period regardless of how the time at work16
is measured.17
(2) Beginning January 1, 2016, the minimum wage shall be set at eight18
dollars and twenty-five cents per hour. Every employer in the city of Monroe shall19
pay to each employee wages at a rate of not less than eight dollars and twenty-five20 HLS 14RS-482 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 676
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cents per hour for hours worked in a pay period regardless of how the time at work1
is measured.2
B. If a tipped employee's tips combined with the employer's direct wages of3
at least two dollars and thirteen cents an hour do not equal the minimum wage4
established in Subsection A, the employer shall pay the difference.5
C. If, at any time, the federal minimum hourly wage rate set by Section 6 of6
the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, or a successor federal law, is raised to7
a level higher than the state minimum wage rate, then the local minimum wage rate8
shall be increased to the level of the federal minimum wage rate. 9
§644. Liability of employer for failure to pay minimum wage in Monroe; penalties;10
attorney fees11
A. An employee may bring suit in a court of competent jurisdiction against12
his employer for a violation of R.S. 23:643.13
B. Any employer who fails or refuses to comply with the provisions of R.S.14
23:643 shall be liable to the employee for ninety days wages at the employee's daily15
rate of pay as well as the difference between what the employee was paid and the16
local minimum wage. Reasonable attorney fees shall be awarded to the employee17
by the court which shall be taxed as costs to be paid by the employer, in the event a18
well-founded suit for any unpaid wages filed by the employee.19
Section 2. This Act shall take effect and become operative if and when the proposed20
amendment of Article 3 of the Constitution of Louisiana contained in the Act which21
originated as House Bill No. ___ of this 2014 Regular Session of the Legislature is adopted22
at a statewide election and becomes effective.23
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Hunter HB No. 676
Abstract: Establishes a local minimum wage in the city of Monroe. HLS 14RS-482 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 676
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Proposed law establishes a local minimum wage for the city of Monroe and sets it at $7.25
per hour beginning January 1, 2015.
Proposed law provides that the local minimum wage for the city of Monroe shall be $8.25
per hour beginning January 1, 2016.
Proposed law requires that the employers of tipped employees make up the difference
between the $2.13 per hour paid to the employee plus tips and the local minimum wage.
Proposed law requires that if the federal minimum wage is raised, the local minimum wage
shall also be raised.
Proposed law provides a cause of action against an employer who fails to pay an employee
local minimum wage.
Proposed law provides for a penalty of 90 days wages and the difference between what the
employee was paid and the local minimum wage rate, as well as attorney fees, if the
employee wins the suit.
Effective if and when the proposed amendment of Article 3 of the Constitution of La.
contained in the Act which originated as House Bill No.__ of this 2014 R.S. of the
Legislature is adopted at a statewide election and becomes effective.
(Adds R.S. 23:643 and 644)