Modern Worker Empowerment Act
Summary
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.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Feb 13, 2025
Last action Feb 20, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
6
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Feb 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-505.
lower
Jul 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
lower
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
lower
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 23 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Kevin Kiley
IIndependent
Co
Andrew Ogles
RRepublican
Co
Brandon Gill
RRepublican
Co
Brian Babin
RRepublican
Co
Burgess Owens
RRepublican
Co
Byron Donalds
RRepublican
Co
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter
RRepublican
Co
Elise M. Stefanik
RRepublican
Co
Eric Burlison
RRepublican
Co
Glenn Grothman
RRepublican
Co
Gregory F. Murphy
RRepublican
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