Protect Local Farms Act

Bill Number

H.R. 240

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Labor and Employment

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-01-07: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2025-07-21T19:44:15Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "Protect Local Farms Act" (H.R. 240) aims to standardize overtime rules for agricultural workers by ensuring that federal labor standards override stricter state laws. It seeks to prevent states from imposing overtime requirements on farm workers at fewer than 60 hours per week, promoting consistency for farmers operating across state lines.

Key Provisions

• Preemption Clause: Adds a new subsection (c) to Section 18 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA), stating that federal FLSA rules preempt any state law limiting the workweek for agricultural employees to less than 60 hours.
• Amendment to Existing Text: Modifies subsection (a) of Section 18 to include an exception referencing the new subsection (c), clarifying that this preemption applies specifically to overtime rules for agriculture.
• The bill does not change federal overtime requirements under the FLSA, which generally exempt most agricultural workers from overtime pay mandates (unlike non-farm workers, who typically get overtime after 40 hours).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Overrides State Authority: Prior to this, states could enact their own overtime laws for agricultural workers that were stricter than federal rules (e.g., requiring overtime after 40 or 48 hours). This bill eliminates such state variations by preempting (overriding) them if they set a maximum workweek below 60 hours.
• Narrow Focus: The change applies only to agriculture and only to workweek limits; it does not affect other state labor protections like minimum wage or safety standards.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) may see increased enforcement responsibilities to ensure compliance with federal preemption, potentially reducing conflicts with state labor departments. States could face challenges in applying their overtime laws to farms.
• On Citizens: Agricultural workers might work longer hours without overtime pay in states previously offering more protection, potentially affecting their earnings and work-life balance. Farmers could benefit from lower labor costs and simpler compliance, especially in multi-state operations.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could indirectly influence U.S. agricultural competitiveness in global markets by reducing domestic labor expenses.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Agricultural Employers: Farmers and farm businesses gain flexibility in scheduling and reduced compliance burdens with varying state rules.
• Agricultural Employees: Farm workers, often seasonal or low-wage, may face extended hours without overtime compensation, altering their financial and health protections.
• State Governments: Labor and agriculture departments lose authority over certain overtime regulations, potentially leading to legal disputes or adjustments in state enforcement.
• Federal Agencies: The DOL becomes the primary enforcer for these preempted areas.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Federalism Concerns: This raises questions about the balance of power between federal and state governments under the U.S. Constitution's Supremacy Clause (which allows federal law to override conflicting state law). Critics might argue it unduly limits states' rights to protect local workers.
• Labor Rights Debate: It could spark discussions on worker protections versus agricultural efficiency, potentially influencing future FLSA amendments or court challenges on equal protection or due process grounds.
• Political Context: Introduced by Republican representatives, it aligns with efforts to support rural economies but may face opposition from labor unions and progressive groups advocating for stronger worker safeguards. No direct constitutional violations are evident, but it exemplifies targeted federal intervention in state regulation.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]

Recent Actions

• 2025-01-07: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2025-01-07: Introduced in House
• 2025-01-07: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Protect Local Farms Act — issued 2025-01-07 — PDF (2 pages)