H.R. 239 – Working Americans Growing the Economy (WAGE) Act of 2007

110th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 239

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 4, 2007

Mrs. Wilson of New Mexico introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

A BILL

To increase the Federal minimum wage and to provide an alternative minimum wage as an incentive to an employer to provide health care and child care benefits.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Working Americans Growing the Economy (WAGE) Act of 2007.

Minimum wage

(a)

In general

Section 6 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:

(1)

except as otherwise provided in this section, not less than—

(A)

$5.85 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after the date of enactment of the Working Americans Growing the Economy (WAGE) Act of 2007;

(B)

$6.55 an hour, beginning 12 months after that 60th day; and

(C)

$7.25 an hour, beginning 24 months after that 60th day;

; and

(B)

by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (5) as paragraphs (3) through (6), respectively and inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph:

(2)

if an employer provides to an employee health care benefits or child care benefits totaling not less than $2,500 per year, the applicable minimum wage rate paid by such employer to such employee shall be as follows:

(A)

$5.15 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after the date of enactment of the Working Americans Growing the Economy (WAGE) Act of 2007;

(B)

$5.55 an hour, beginning 12 months after that 60th day; and

(C)

$6.25 an hour, beginning 24 months after that 60th day;

; and

(2)

by inserting after subsection (b) the following:

(c)

For purposes of determining the minimum wage under paragraph (2) of subsection (a), the Secretary, not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of the Working Americans Growing the Economy (WAGE) Act of 2007, shall define the categories of health care benefits and child care benefits provided by an employer to an employee which shall qualify an employer to pay the wage rates specified in such paragraph, and shall establish a method for determining the value of such benefits provided. In defining the categories of health care benefits, the Secretary shall include contributions made by an employer to a health insurance plan.

(b)

Effective date

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

Working Americans Growing the Economy (WAGE) Act of 2007

Legislative Activity

Bill Text