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.
This bill, if enacted, would significantly impact state labor laws, particularly those concerning agricultural workers. Currently, various states may impose stricter workweek limits which can hinder agricultural operations that often require long hours to meet demand. By preempting these state laws, HB353 would enable farmers to operate under the more lenient federal guidelines which allow for longer working hours, thereby promoting economic efficiency within the agriculture sector.
House Bill 353, titled the 'Protect Local Farms Act,' seeks to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 by preempting certain state laws that establish a maximum workweek of less than 60 hours for agricultural employees. The bill aims to eliminate state restrictions on the working hours of agricultural workers, effectively allowing employers in this sector to have more flexibility regarding the scheduling and hours worked by their employees. By doing so, it aims to reduce regulatory burdens on the agricultural industry and promote its growth and viability.
Notably, the proposed legislation has generated debate regarding worker protections versus agricultural productivity. Proponents argue that relaxing these regulations is necessary to support farmers and maintain competitive agricultural production, especially in regions where longer working hours are customary during peak seasons. However, opponents raise concerns that the bill undermines state authority to protect labor rights and could lead to exploitation of agricultural employees by subjecting them to excessively long working hours without proper overtime compensation.