Overtime Rules Update
September 25, 2003
Todd D. Steenson- Chicago
Earlier this year, we issued an update concerning the
Department of Labor’s sweeping proposed changes to regulations implementing the
overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Since that update, the
comment period ended June 30. The DOL received approximately 78,000 comments
concerning the proposed rules, and continues to consider them in light of those
comments.
The proposed changes have created a political firestorm,
however, On September 10, 2003, by a vote of 54-45, the U.S. Senate approved an
amendment to an appropriations bill for the DOL that would withhold funding from
the DOL to finalize parts of its proposed regulations. This amendment would
effectively bar the DOL from issuing the regulations in the proposed form.
Previously, a similar amendment failed by three votes in the House. Members of
the House are considering another attempt to pass the amendment, and the issue
will certainly be taken up in the House-Senate conference committee on the
appropriations bill. President Bush has vowed to veto any appropriations bill
containing the Senate amendment.
Thus, the proposed regulations remain in limbo. We will
continue to update you on the status of these important regulations.
For more information, e-mail Todd Steenson at todd.steenson@hklaw.com
or call toll free, 1-888-688-8500.