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Updated: The Save Local Business Act Continues to Pick Up Steam


Back in July, I pointed readers to a bill that was being introduced in Congress:  H.R. 3441 a/k/a the Save Local Business Act.  This bipartisan bill seeks to reverse a 2015 National Labor Relations Board ('NLRB') decision, Browning-Ferris, which changed the definition of joint employer.  Almost immediately after this decision was issued, employers and pro-business groups cried foul as Browning-Ferris made it easier for companies to be considered joint employers and therefore become liable for subsequent labor law violations committed by franchisees and contractors.

At this point, readers might be wondering what is next?  Could the NLRB take action before this bill would become law?  Doubtful.  Although the NLRB has recently taken on a 3 - 2 Republican majority (and could therefore issue a decision to 'undo' Browning-Ferris), the Republican controlled Congress is aggressively moving this bill along.  Today, Wednesday October 4th, the House Education and Workforce Committee is expected to vote on and approve the bill.  If/when the bill makes it out of the Committee, it would head to the full House for further debate and subsequent vote.  With Republicans controlling the House (and being able to choose what bills to debate and vote on, as the majority party), I would expect this bill to move along to a final vote sooner rather than later.

Won't this bill need Democratic support to pass?  In short, Republicans in Congress hungry for a legislative victory will likely do what they can to reach across the aisle.  In fact, the bill, originally introduced by Republican Congressman Bradley Byrne has apparently picked up the support of several Democratic Congressmen including Henry Cuellar, Lou Correa, and Collin Peterson.  I would expect additional Democrats in the House to jump on board in the coming weeks (or at least by the time the full House would vote on H.R. 3441.)  The question will then turn to what Senate Democrats will do.  I would expect less support for the bill in the Senate among Democrats (which have thus far done little to support Republican led bills) but it is certainly possible that a few Democratic Senators would voice their support for this legislation.

As for pro-business groups?  Earlier this week, approximately 28 pro-business groups published a letter announcing their support for the bill.  While this support alone will not carry the bill across the finish line, it certainly conveys the growing vocalness among pro-business groups in the private sector for Congress to do something about Browning-Ferris.

Stay tuned.

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