HR 1962119th CongressIn Committee

Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act

Introduced: Mar 6, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act would change federal labor law by removing a current overtime exemption for certain trucking employees. Specifically, it would strike paragraph (1) of section 13(b) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which provides a exemption for workers employed in the operation of motor vehicles in transportation. In practical terms, this means truck drivers and other motor carrier employees who were previously exempt from overtime pay would become non-exempt and thus eligible for overtime compensation (generally 1.5 times their regular rate) after 40 hours worked in a workweek. The bill’s language suggests it intends to apply to workers involved in transporting goods or passengers in commerce, though the exact scope will depend on how the courts and the Department of Labor interpret the removed exemption. The act is sponsored by Rep. Van Drew and Rep. Takano, introduced March 6, 2025, and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. The text provided only states the short title and the amendment; no effective date is included in the excerpt.

Key Points

1The bill’s title: “Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act.”
2Core change: Amends 29 U.S.C. 213(b) (the motor-carrier overtime exemption) by striking paragraph (1), removing the overtime exemption for certain trucking employees.
3Result for truckers: Guardians of payroll rules would require overtime pay (usually 1.5 times the regular rate) after 40 hours in a workweek for affected motor carrier employees.
4Scope: Applies to employees of employers engaged in the operation of motor vehicles in transporting goods or passengers in commerce; other FLSA exemptions outside 13(b)(1) remain in place.
5Enforcement and compliance: The change would fall under the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, with employers needing to track hours and pay overtime accordingly.
6Status and sponsorship: Introduced in the House on March 6, 2025; sponsored by Mr. Van Drew (with Mr. Takano); referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Truck drivers and other employees of motor carriers involved in transporting goods or people in commerce who are currently exempt from overtime under 13(b)(1).- Trucking and transportation employers (carriers, fleets, logistics providers).Secondary group/area affected- Shippers, freight brokers, and logistics networks, since higher labor costs and potential changes in scheduling/pricing may affect freight rates and capacity planning.- Small businesses and carriers with tight margins that rely on driver hours and overtime to meet delivery demands.Additional impacts- Wage and cost implications: Potential increase in labor costs for trucking companies, which could influence wage structures, driver pay packages, and overall operating expenses.- Market and operational effects: Possible changes in driver scheduling, routes, and delivery timelines as employers adjust to overtime requirements.- Interplay with other rules: Overtime would be calculated under the FLSA framework (time-and-a-half for hours over 40 per week), potentially affecting compliance with other regulations like Hours of Service (HOS) rules maintained by Department of Transportation. The interaction between HOS and FLSA overtime could be complex for drivers.Overtime: Pay at 1.5 times the employee’s regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a single workweek under the FLSA.Exemption: A provision that allows an employer not to pay overtime to certain employees who meet specific job duties and salary tests.Non-exempt employee: An employee who must be paid overtime under the FLSA. This bill would move certain truckers from exempt to non-exempt status.

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