H.R.240 - Protect Local Farms Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.240, the "Protect Local Farms Act," aims to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938. The bill seeks to preempt state laws that mandate overtime pay for agricultural employees working less than 60 hours per week. This would effectively set a federal standard, potentially overriding more stringent state regulations regarding overtime for agricultural workers.
Expected Effects
If enacted, H.R. 240 would standardize overtime regulations for agricultural employees across states. States with stricter overtime laws (i.e., requiring overtime pay for agricultural workweeks shorter than 60 hours) would be superseded by the federal standard. This could lead to changes in pay structures for agricultural workers in affected states.
Potential Benefits
- Could reduce compliance costs for farms operating in multiple states with varying overtime laws.
- May provide more flexibility in labor management for agricultural employers.
- Could prevent farms from relocating to states with less stringent labor laws.
- Potentially stabilizes agricultural production costs by standardizing labor expenses.
- May lead to increased investment in agricultural businesses due to reduced regulatory uncertainty.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Could reduce overtime pay for agricultural workers in states with stricter regulations, potentially decreasing their earnings.
- May lead to longer working hours for agricultural employees without additional compensation in some states.
- Could create a disparity in labor standards between agricultural workers and those in other industries.
- May face opposition from labor advocates who argue it undermines worker protections.
- Could lead to legal challenges based on states' rights and the balance of power between federal and state governments.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment hinges on the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8), which grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce. By setting a federal standard for agricultural overtime pay, Congress is arguably regulating a sector that significantly impacts interstate commerce. However, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, raising questions about the extent to which Congress can preempt state labor laws.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).