Below are summaries and status reports (as of Feb. 21, 2017) of some wage and hour bills about which we have concerns.

HB 1300 – Employee Misclassification: This labor-backed bill would make it harder to be classified as an independent contractor. The bill passed the House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee and is scheduled for executive action in the Appropriations Committee. WSDF is opposed to this bill.

HB 1301 – Employee Antiretaliation: This perennial favorite of worker advocates continues to have the same problems as previous versions – namely that employers are presumed guilty of employee retaliation in certain circumstances until the employers prove their innocence. The bill passed the House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee and has received a hearing in the Appropriations Committee. At this point, it has not been scheduled for executive action. WSDF is opposed to this bill.

HB 1302 – Damages for Wage Violations: This bill would increase the penalty for not paying employees correctly. The bill is currently in House Rules awaiting possible floor action. WSDF opposes this bill, as current law is sufficient.

HB 1486 – Wage Recovery Act: This bill creates a statutory wage lien for claims on unpaid wages and creates procedures for establishing, foreclosing, extinguishing, and prioritizing wage liens. The bill passed the House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee and has received a hearing in the Appropriations Committee. At this point, it has not been scheduled for executive action. WSDF is opposed to this bill.