119th Congress
H.R. 1319
Modern Worker Empowerment Act
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became law
- Sponsor
- Kevin Kiley(I-CA)
- Introduced
- Feb 13, 2025
- Policy area
- Labor and Employment
- Committees
- House Committee on Education and Workforce
- Official text
- Reported in House · Congress.gov page
Cosponsors (23)
Original cosponsors (4)
- Andrew Ogles (R-TN)
- John H. Rutherford (R-FL)
- John R. Moolenaar (R-MI)
- Mark B. Messmer (R-IN)
Added later (19)
- Thomas H. Kean, Jr. (R-NJ) · Mar 25, 2025
- Glenn Grothman (R-WI) · Mar 31, 2025
- Elise M. Stefanik (R-NY) · Apr 7, 2025
- Eric Burlison (R-MO) · Apr 24, 2025
- Rick W. Allen (R-GA) · Jun 3, 2025
- Burgess Owens (R-UT) · Jun 4, 2025
- Robert F. Onder, Jr. (R-MO) · Jun 11, 2025
- Michael Baumgartner (R-WA) · Jun 12, 2025
- Tim Burchett (R-TN) · Jun 26, 2025
- Julia Letlow (R-LA) · Jul 21, 2025
- Mary E. Miller (R-IL) · Jul 21, 2025
- Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA) · Oct 8, 2025
- Jodey C. Arrington (R-TX) · Oct 24, 2025
- W. Gregory Steube (R-FL) · Oct 24, 2025
- Brandon Gill (R-TX) · Nov 7, 2025
- Gregory F. Murphy (R-NC) · Nov 17, 2025
- Byron Donalds (R-FL) · Dec 18, 2025
- Brian Babin (R-TX) · Dec 23, 2025
- Virginia Foxx (R-NC) · Feb 2, 2026
Summary
Summary by the Congressional Research Service· describes the “Introduced in House” version
This bill specifies a legal standard for determining whether an individual is considered an independent contractor rather than an employee for the purposes of federal labor laws that address issues such as the federal minimum wage, overtime compensation, and collective bargaining. The rights and protections provided by these laws exclusively apply to employees.
Under the bill, an individual is considered an independent contractor if (1) another individual or entity does not exercise significant control over the details of how the individual's work is performed, without regard to any control the other individual or entity may exercise over the final result of the work performed; and (2) while performing such work, the individual has opportunities and risks inherent with entrepreneurship (for example, the discretion to exercise professional judgment).
The bill also sets forth factors that may not be used to determine whether an individual is an employee. Specifically, factors such as whether another individual or entity requires the individual to meet certain legal, health and safety, insurance, or performance requirements may not be used to make such a determination.
Roll-call votes
No recorded votes on this bill.
Actions
- Feb 20, 2026 · House
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 431. - Feb 20, 2026 · House
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-505. - Jul 23, 2025
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 16. - Jul 23, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held - Feb 13, 2025 · House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. - Feb 13, 2025
Introduced in House