GOP push to alter state’s labor laws fails this Session

Several Republican-backed pushes to radically change the state’s labor laws died during the Legislative Session.

Bills to require small businesses to use E-verify to check workers’ legal work status, allow interns to get paid below the minimum wage and loosen child labor laws all failed to advance. Senate leadership spoke out against at least one of the proposals.

Friday marked the last day of Session although lawmakers’ work continues since they did not pass a balanced budget.

For Democrats, who opposed the measures, the failed bills are a victory.

“Our caucus was instrumental in defeating several bills with dangerous implications, including easing child labor laws,” new Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Lori Berman said in a statement Saturday.

The bills to change Florida’s labor rules drew fierce opposition from the public during committee hearings although some Republicans argued changes needed to be made.

The House advanced HB 955 with a 88-25 vote to require businesses with less than 25 employees to use the E-verify system through the federal government, just as larger businesses are currently required to do. However, the Senate failed to pass the bill.

“We just want to make sure that we’re following immigration law here in the state of Florida when it comes to employment eligibility,” said bill co-sponsor Rep. Berny Jacques, a Seminole Republican, during the committee process.

Meanwhile, Democrats warned the state’s agriculture and other industries are reliant on immigrants so the bill would the economy. Others called the bill cruel and would hurt immiigrant families simply trying to make a living.

“Have some humanity, have some compassion, because this is not the way to solve the issue,” said Rep. Marie Woodson, a Hollywood Democrat during the debate. “Immigration has been broken for years. We know it’s a problem, but let’s put our heads together and see what we can do. This is not the right way to do it.”

Democrats said the GOP’s attempts to crack down on undocumented workers was tied to another bill to weaken child labor laws and add more workers to the labor market.

Oe bill would have allowed 16- and 17-year-olds to work longer hours, even during the school year. One provision, pushed by now U.S. Rep. Randy Fine, would have also allowed 13-year-olds to get jobs the summer they turn 14.

HB 1225 passed the House with a 78-30 vote but failed to advance the Senate.

Another controversial bill that stalled out in committee (SB 676/HB 541) would have allowed employees to voluntarily opt in to get paid less than the minimum wage. The minimum wage exception would only be pre apprenticeships and internships.

Democrats and the Florida AFL-CIO warned the new changes could be exploited by employers eager to reclassify jobs as internships to save money. Another concern they said was the bill lacked specifics to say exactly how much people could get paid or more clearly define what industries or internships could be included. 

Republicans argued the labor market needs more flexibility for young people to gain skills — even if they are paid less — that could pay off in the long run in their careers. Horse training was one example lawmakers gave as an industry that would benefit from the bill.

However, Senate President Ben Albritton wasn’t swayed.

“To tell you the truth, I think if somebody works, whether they’re being an apprentice or whatever, minimum wage is actually in the Constitution for a reason,” the Republican leader told reporters in late April, signaling the bill was dead.