Bills of Congress May 19, 2025 by U.S. Congress

H.R.3499 - Outdoor Recreational Outfitting and Guiding Act (119th Congress)

Summary

H.R.3499, the Outdoor Recreational Outfitting and Guiding Act, seeks to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938. The amendment would exempt certain employees engaged in outdoor recreational outfitting or guiding services from minimum wage and maximum hour requirements. This exemption applies to businesses operating for no more than seven months annually or those with fluctuating seasonal receipts.

Expected Effects

The bill's passage would mean that businesses meeting the specified criteria would not be obligated to pay minimum wage or overtime to affected employees. This could lead to lower labor costs for these businesses, but also potentially lower wages and longer hours for employees. The bill aims to provide relief to seasonal outdoor recreation businesses.

Potential Benefits 3/5

* Potential for increased profitability for outdoor recreational businesses due to reduced labor costs.
* Possible expansion of outdoor recreational services as businesses become more financially viable.
* May lead to more seasonal job opportunities in the outdoor recreation sector.
* Could simplify administrative burdens for small businesses by removing FLSA compliance requirements.
* May allow businesses to offer more competitive pricing for their services.

Most Benefited Areas:

Business Prosperity & Innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Potential Disadvantages

* Potential for reduced wages and longer working hours for employees in the outdoor recreation sector.
* Possible exploitation of workers due to the removal of minimum wage and overtime protections.
* May create a disparity in labor standards between outdoor recreation employees and other workers.
* Could lead to a decline in the overall quality of life for affected employees.
* Potential for increased reliance on government assistance by low-wage workers.

Most Disadvantaged Areas:

Labor Rights & Worker Conditions ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Social Equity & Poverty Reduction ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Family & Community Well-being ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Constitutional Alignment 4/5

The bill's alignment with the Constitution is primarily related to Congress's power to regulate commerce among the states (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3). The FLSA, which this bill amends, is based on this power. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Constitution or its amendments. However, the potential impact on worker welfare could be debated in relation to the government's role in promoting the general welfare.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to citizens. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).