PRIA Logo™
119-hr-5267119th CongressWALLET

American Franchise Act

Sponsored By: Representative Hern, Kevin [R-OK-1]

In Committee

Summary

This bill would narrow when franchisors are treated as joint employers by creating a 'substantial direct and immediate control' test that ties joint-employer status to specific employment terms.

Show full summary
  • Franchisors would be a joint employer only if they regularly exercise substantial direct and immediate control over one or more of eight essential employment terms.
  • Franchisees would keep day-to-day control over operations, training, branding, and routine staffing actions, protecting their status as independent businesses in most cases.
  • Workers could only hold franchisors jointly liable when franchisors actually control core terms like wages, hiring, or discipline. The bill would not apply to proceedings started before enactment.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Limits franchisor joint-employer liability

This bill would set one legal test for when a franchisor is a joint employer under the NLRA and FLSA. It would require franchisors to actually and regularly exercise “substantial direct and immediate control” over one or more key job terms: wages, benefits, hours, hiring, discharge, discipline, supervision, and direction. Routine brand rules, training, franchise operating hours, and arm’s-length benefit participation would generally not count. The rule would take effect upon enactment and would not apply to cases started before enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Hern, Kevin [R-OK-1]

OK • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 9/10/2025

  • Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 9/10/2025

  • Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 9/10/2025

  • Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 9/10/2025

  • Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/10/2025

  • Rep. Alford, Mark [R-MO-4]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 9/10/2025

  • Rep. Gray, Adam [D-CA-13]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/10/2025

  • Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 9/10/2025

  • Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 9/10/2025

  • Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 9/10/2025

  • Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/10/2025

  • Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-34]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 9/10/2025

  • Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 9/10/2025

  • Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 9/15/2025

  • Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 9/15/2025

  • Rep. Kiley, Kevin [I-CA-3]

    CA • I

    Sponsored 9/16/2025

  • Rep. Bean, Aaron [R-FL-4]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 9/16/2025

  • Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 9/16/2025

  • Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 9/18/2025

  • Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]

    LA • D

    Sponsored 9/18/2025

  • Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 9/18/2025

  • Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 9/18/2025

  • Rep. Fitzgerald, Scott [R-WI-5]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 9/18/2025

  • Rep. Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2]

    OR • R

    Sponsored 9/18/2025

  • Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 9/26/2025

  • Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 9/26/2025

  • Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5]

    WA • R

    Sponsored 9/26/2025

  • Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 9/26/2025

  • Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 9/26/2025

  • Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 10/8/2025

  • Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 10/8/2025

  • Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 10/8/2025

  • Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 10/8/2025

  • Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/21/2025

  • Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6]

    KY • R

    Sponsored 10/21/2025

  • Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 10/21/2025

  • Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/21/2025

  • Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 11/7/2025

  • Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 11/7/2025

  • Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 11/17/2025

  • Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 11/18/2025

  • Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 11/19/2025

  • Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 11/19/2025

  • Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-11]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 11/19/2025

  • Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 11/19/2025

  • Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2]

    NV • R

    Sponsored 11/19/2025

  • Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 11/19/2025

  • Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large]

    MP • R

    Sponsored 11/19/2025

  • Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]

    MI • R

    Sponsored 11/20/2025

  • Rep. Taylor, David J. [R-OH-2]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 12/1/2025

  • Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 12/1/2025

  • Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Fallon, Pat [R-TX-4]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8]

    MN • R

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 12/9/2025

  • Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15]

    IL • R

    Sponsored 12/9/2025

  • Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 12/9/2025

  • Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 12/9/2025

  • Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 12/9/2025

  • Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 12/9/2025

  • Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1]

    MN • R

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Rep. Jack, Brian [R-GA-3]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Rep. Strong, Dale W. [R-AL-5]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 12/11/2025

  • Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 12/11/2025

  • Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/7/2026

  • Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]

    NJ • R

    Sponsored 1/13/2026

  • Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 1/14/2026

  • Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/14/2026

  • Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 1/22/2026

  • Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 1/22/2026

  • Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 1/22/2026

  • Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large]

    ND • R

    Sponsored 1/22/2026

  • Rep. Onder, Robert F. [R-MO-3]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Patronis, Jimmy [R-FL-1]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 2/10/2026

  • Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8]

    CO • R

    Sponsored 2/12/2026

  • Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 2/20/2026

  • Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 2/20/2026

  • Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 3/16/2026

  • Rep. Harris, Mark [R-NC-8]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 3/16/2026

  • Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 3/17/2026

  • Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 3/19/2026

  • Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

  • Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]

    NE • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

  • Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6]

    LA • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

  • Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

  • Rep. DesJarlais, Scott [R-TN-4]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

  • Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

  • Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]

    MI • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

  • Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

  • Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

  • Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]

    WA • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

  • Rep. Timmons, William R. [R-SC-4]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 3/26/2026

  • Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large]

    SD • R

    Sponsored 3/26/2026

  • Rep. Estes, Ron [R-KS-4]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 3/26/2026

  • Rep. Kelly, Trent [R-MS-1]

    MS • R

    Sponsored 3/26/2026

  • Rep. LaHood, Darin [R-IL-16]

    IL • R

    Sponsored 3/26/2026

  • Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 3/26/2026

  • Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 3/26/2026

  • Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 3/26/2026

  • Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large]

    WY • R

    Sponsored 3/30/2026

  • Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 4/6/2026

  • Rep. Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 4/6/2026

  • Rep. Letlow, Julia [R-LA-5]

    LA • R

    Sponsored 4/13/2026

  • Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4]

    MI • R

    Sponsored 4/13/2026

  • Rep. Flood, Mike [R-NE-1]

    NE • R

    Sponsored 4/21/2026

  • Rep. Rogers, Mike D. [R-AL-3]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 4/21/2026

  • Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1]

    WV • R

    Sponsored 4/21/2026

  • Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]

    IL • R

    Sponsored 4/21/2026

  • Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 4/16/2026

  • Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 4/21/2026

  • Rep. Diaz-Balart, Mario [R-FL-26]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 4/21/2026

  • Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4]

    MS • R

    Sponsored 4/16/2026

  • Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6]

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 4/28/2026

  • Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 4/29/2026

  • Rep. Womack, Steve [R-AR-3]

    AR • R

    Sponsored 5/11/2026

  • Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1]

    KY • R

    Sponsored 5/11/2026

  • Rep. Moore, Riley M. [R-WV-2]

    WV • R

    Sponsored 5/11/2026

  • Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 5/12/2026

  • Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 5/12/2026

  • Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 5/15/2026

  • Rep. Crank, Jeff [R-CO-5]

    CO • R

    Sponsored 5/29/2026

  • Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 6/2/2026

  • Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 6/2/2026

  • Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 6/3/2026

  • Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]

    NJ • R

    Sponsored 6/23/2026

  • Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3]

    CO • R

    Sponsored 6/29/2026

  • Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 6/29/2026

  • Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7]

    MI • R

    Sponsored 6/29/2026

  • Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 6/30/2026

  • Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-MN-7]

    MN • R

    Sponsored 7/6/2026

  • Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 7/13/2026

  • Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 7/14/2026

  • Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 7/14/2026

  • Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1]

    MD • R

    Sponsored 7/14/2026

  • Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 7/15/2026

  • Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 7/20/2026

  • Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]

    GU • R

    Sponsored 7/20/2026

  • Rep. Ellzey, Jake [R-TX-6]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 7/20/2026

  • Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 7/21/2026

  • Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 7/21/2026

  • Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 7/21/2026

  • Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 7/22/2026

  • Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9]

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 7/22/2026

  • Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 7/22/2026

  • Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 8/10/2026

  • Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 8/10/2026

  • Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2]

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 8/10/2026

  • Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 8/27/2026

  • Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 8/27/2026

  • Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 8/27/2026

  • Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 8/27/2026

  • Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4]

    CO • R

    Sponsored 9/2/2026

  • Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 9/3/2026

  • Rep. Carter, John R. [R-TX-31]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 9/4/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation