10/24/2016

ASAE Urges Support for Senate DOL Overtime Bill

The bill proposes expanding the timeline for implementation over five years

The election is rapidly approaching and soon Congress will return for the lame duck session. Congress must reach a deal on the budget, defense spending authorization and possibly a Supreme Court confirmation. There is a lot of work ahead. With so many issues on the docket, the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) needs your help to rally support for the DOL overtime rule modification. 

ASAE is urging associations that are concerned about the overtime rule to support S. 3464, The Overtime Reform and Review Act, a Senate bill that would stretch out the timeline for implementing the rule over five years.

ASAE signed a joint letter along with over 400 associations, nonprofits and trade groups to support S. 3646. ASAE is encouraging other organizations supportive of the phase-in to also send a letter of support for S.3464. A link to your letter should be sent to Senate staffers at kyle_fortson@help.senate.gov and molly_conway@help.senate.gov. ASAE’s letter can be found here. 

This legislation includes not only the five-year phase-in, but also a provision requiring an independent study of the rule after the first year of implementation. Should the rule be found to negatively impact American workers and the economy, nonprofit groups (including colleges and universities), state and local governments, and many Medicaid and Medicare-eligible facilities would be exempt from any further increases under the rule.

While continuing to press for a legislative solution to the administration’s pending overtime rule, ASAE has also joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and numerous other organizations in a lawsuit to block the rule from taking effect Dec. 1. The lawsuit argues that the Department of Labor (DOL) exceeded its authority under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) by drastically altering the minimum salary requirements for exemption and by establishing an automatic salary threshold increase every three years to take place without notice or public comment. The coalition asked the judge to make an expedited decision as the rule is set to go into effect on Dec 1.

If you are concerned about this issue, please take a moment to tell your senator you support compromise legislation to help associations phase in this major change in employment law. Click here to contact your Senator and ask for their support of S. 3464.

Thank you for your support. For more information about the DOL overtime rule, visit The Power of A issue page or contact the ASAE Public Policy team at publicpolicy@asaecenter.org.