A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exempt certain employees engaged in outdoor recreational outfitting or guiding services from maximum hours requirements.
Impact
The potential impact of SB2914 on state laws centers around labor market regulations. The bill allows for certain outdoor-related businesses to maintain flexible schedules for their employees, which could boost employment in areas reliant on seasonal tourism and recreation. Supporters argue that this flexibility can enhance job opportunities and encourage growth in the outdoor recreation industry, particularly in states that are heavily invested in tourism and outdoor activities.
Summary
Senate Bill 2914 aims to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to specifically exempt employees engaged in outdoor recreational outfitting or guiding services from the maximum hours requirements imposed by the Act. This legislation seeks to provide more flexibility in managing work hours for employees whose work may not follow conventional employment patterns due to seasonal or variable nature of outdoor activities. By introducing this exemption, the bill targets employers in the outdoor recreation sector, who often operate for limited periods each year.
Contention
Notably, the bill may spark contention regarding worker protections. Critics of the amendment might argue that exempting these employees from maximum hour regulations could lead to exploitative practices whereby workers are subjected to excessively long hours without the safeguards typically afforded under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Concerns may also arise about the broader implications of setting such exemptions which could pave the way for similar requests from other sectors, thereby diluting existing worker protections across the board.
To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and the National Labor Relations Act to clarify the standard for determining whether an individual is an employee, and for other purposes.
A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and the National Labor Relations Act to clarify the standard for determining whether an individual is an employee, and for other purposes.
Protect Local Farms ActThis bill provides that the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) preempts any state law that establishes a maximum workweek (i.e., the maximum number of hours an employee is permitted to work without receiving overtime pay) of less than 60 hours for agricultural employees. Under the FLSA, agricultural employees are generally exempt from federal overtime requirements. However, federal overtime requirements currently do not preempt state laws that provide greater protections to employees.
Protect Local Farms Act This bill preempts state laws that provide for a maximum workweek of less than 60 hours for agricultural employees. Under federal law, agricultural employees are generally exempt from maximum hours (i.e., overtime) requirements.