Overview
Title
To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 regarding the application of wage and hour provisions to minor league baseball players, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The "Fair Ball Act" wants to change the rules so that baseball players in the minor leagues get paid based on agreements they make together with their team bosses, not just on a regular deal. This means their pay is decided on current group agreements, making it fairer for them.
Summary AI
H. R. 10388, titled the "Fair Ball Act," seeks to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. The bill aims to change the application of wage and hour provisions for minor league baseball players by altering Section 13(a)(19) of the Act. Specifically, it proposes replacing the phrase "a contract" with "an unexpired collective bargaining agreement" to determine wage standards for these players. The bill was introduced by Mr. Deluzio and referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Published
Keywords AI
Sources
Bill Statistics
Size
Language
Complexity
AnalysisAI
Overview of H.R. 10388
The proposed bill, designated H.R. 10388, seeks to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 concerning wage and hour regulations applicable to minor league baseball players. This amendment primarily involves changing the language within the law to specify that the conditions under which minor league baseball players work should be governed by "an unexpired collective bargaining agreement." Introduced in the House by Mr. Deluzio on December 12, 2024, the bill has been referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Significant Issues
Several notable issues arise from the text of this bill:
Lack of Clarity: Section 2 amends the existing Fair Labor Standards Act by removing language and adding a new reference to "an unexpired collective bargaining agreement." However, it does not explain the implications of this change or how it affects the working conditions or compensation of minor league players. Those unfamiliar with the existing law might find this language confusing.
Definition Gaps: The term "unexpired collective bargaining agreement" lacks a clear definition in the bill. Without further details on what qualifies as such an agreement, there could be varying interpretations, which might lead to legal uncertainties or disputes about its application.
Brief Title: The bill's short title, the "Fair Ball Act," does not provide any detail on the act's intent, making it difficult for stakeholders and the public to understand the legislation's objectives or implications.
Financial Implications: There is no information regarding the potential financial impact of the bill, which raises concerns about the ability to audit its effects on federal or state budgets, posing challenges in ensuring accountability and transparency.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
For the general public, this bill involves technical modifications to labor laws that might not appear immediately relevant. However, it indirectly influences how some labor groups, specifically minor league baseball players, are compensated and protected under the law.
From a positive perspective, the bill could lead to enhanced protections and possibly better working conditions for minor league players if strong collective bargaining agreements are fostered. This can contribute to greater job satisfaction and stability among players.
Conversely, the lack of clarity and specificity could create challenges. Without clear guidelines on what constitutes a valid collective bargaining agreement, minor league players might face inconsistencies in enforcement and varying levels of protection. Teams or leagues might interpret the law differently, leading to potential legal conflicts or disparities in player treatment.
The bill could also impact major and minor league baseball organizations, which may need to adjust their negotiation strategies and compliance practices to align with the changes once their player agreements are solidified under this new framework.
Conclusion
H.R. 10388 presents both an opportunity and a challenge. While it has the potential to improve labor conditions for minor league baseball players through collective bargaining, it lacks sufficient detail and clarity to ensure consistent and fair application. Both the general public and directly affected stakeholders, such as players and teams, will benefit from further elaboration and definition within the bill to fully understand and realize its intended benefits.
Issues
The amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 in Section 2 is unclear to those not familiar with the existing Act, as it removes existing language and adds new language without providing context or explaining the implications for minor league baseball players' working conditions or compensation.
Section 2 refers to an 'unexpired collective bargaining agreement' without providing details about what constitutes such an agreement, leading to potential confusion or varying interpretations.
The 'Fair Ball Act' in Section 1 is overly brief and does not clarify the act's intent or implications, leaving stakeholders uncertain about its purpose.
The lack of clarity in Section 1 about potential financial implications or impacts on spending prevents effective auditing for wastefulness or favoritism, which could concern taxpayers and policymakers.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the bill is called the "Short title" and establishes that the official name of this legislation is the "Fair Ball Act."
2. Application of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to minor league baseball players Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 updates the language for minor league baseball players, changing the reference from “a contract” to “an unexpired collective bargaining agreement,” which implies that their working conditions will now be covered under a current union agreement.