HB 433- Employment Regulations

On Thursday, January 11, HB 433 by Representative Tiffany Esposito (R-Fort Myers) was heard by the House Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee and was reported favorably with 13 yeas and 0 nays.

HB 433 was filed as a bill that would preempt local governments from adding additional ordinances relating to workplace heat exposure requirements. It was amended to include preemptions relating to local wage requirements.

Employers are already required under OSHA to provide a place of employment that is free from recognized standards including heat. There are clear standards employers must meet and this bill will prevent another level of regulation in this area and an unlevel regulatory playing field.

Some local governments have also been setting their own minimum wage standards. HB 433 ensures consistency by only recognizing the constitutionally mandated state minimum wage.

HB 433 will now go to the House Infrastructure & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee for consideration.

AIF supports regulatory consistency in workplace safety regulations that prevents a patchwork of local regulations that could include unattainable standards which do little to protect employees while opening an onslaught of fines penalties, and other punitive measures.