What's happening
This bill requires motor carriers in New York to pay overtime to certain employees, regardless of their federal exemption status.
Why it matters
Closes a longstanding loophole. This bill ensures that motor carrier employees in New York receive overtime pay even if they are exempt under federal law, addressing a gap that has historically excluded many truck drivers and similar workers from overtime protections.
Increases labor costs for motor carriers. Employers (motor carriers) will face higher payroll costs, as they must now pay time-and-a-half for hours worked over 40 per week, potentially affecting business models and pricing in the transportation and logistics sectors.
Improves worker protections and compensation. Employees who previously worked long hours without overtime pay will see increased earnings, which could improve job satisfaction, worker retention, and overall quality of life.
Sets a precedent for state-level labor rights. By overriding federal exemptions, New York asserts its authority to set more protective labor standards, which may prompt similar actions in other states or influence broader labor policy debates.
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Require Overtime for Truck Drivers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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History
- Referred to labor
- Referred to labor
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Overtime Pay for Truck Drivers
In Senate Committee · Labor · Sponsor José Peralta
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
721
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. M. G. MILLER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Labor
AN ACT to amend the labor law, in relation to overtime pay for employees of motor carriers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The labor law is amended by adding a new section 160-a to read as follows:
§ 160-a. Hours of labor of employees of motor carriers. Every motor carrier shall pay to all employees for whom the U.S. Secretary of Transportation may prescribe maximum hours of work for the safe operation of vehicles, pursuant to section 31502(b) of the federal Motor Carrier Act, 49 U.S.C. s.31502(b), an overtime rate not less than one and one-half times the worker's hourly wage, for each hour in excess of forty hours worked in any week, notwithstanding the exemption of such employees pursuant to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act 29 U.S.C. 213(b)(1).
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00055-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.