Texas House Bill HB1915

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to the minimum wage and overtime pay for employees.

Impact

If enacted, HB1915 would modify existing labor codes to strengthen protections around wage payments and ensure fair compensation for overtime hours worked. The bill outlines that employees not exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act must receive a wage that is equal to 1.5 times their regular hourly wage for any hours worked beyond the standard 40-hour work week. This change aims to align state regulations with federal standards and enhance the economic security of workers.

Summary

House Bill 1915 proposes amendments to Texas labor laws, specifically addressing minimum wage and overtime pay for employees. The bill mandates that employers pay their employees at least the federal minimum wage as established under the Fair Labor Standards Act. It explicitly states that an employer cannot employ methods that misrepresent payment structures, such as guaranteeing weekly pay for varying hours or using fixed salaries for fluctuating hours worked. This is intended to protect employees from potential wage exploitation.

Contention

While the bill is supported by proponents who believe it strengthens worker rights and ensures fair pay practices, there may be concerns among employers regarding the potential increase in labor costs. Opponents of the legislation might argue that these amendments could impose undue burdens on businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises that might struggle to meet the new wage requirements. This tension between protecting employee rights and supporting business flexibility will likely be a point of contention in discussions surrounding the bill.