# 119-hr-5267: American Franchise Act

119-hr-5267, American Franchise Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Hern, Kevin [R-OK-1] (R-OK); status in_committee; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5267
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-5267
- Congress: 119
- Title: American Franchise Act
- Status: in_committee
- Introduced: 2025-09-10
- Sponsor: Rep. Hern, Kevin [R-OK-1] (R-OK)
- Cosponsors: 158
- Policy area: Labor and Employment
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-11-01

## 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. - 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.

## Cosponsors (158)

- Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1] (D-NC), 2025-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24] (R-TX), 2025-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3] (D-MI), 2025-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11] (R-NC), 2025-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21] (D-CA), 2025-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Alford, Mark [R-MO-4] (R-MO), 2025-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gray, Adam [D-CA-13] (D-CA), 2025-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11] (R-TX), 2025-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28] (D-TX), 2025-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1] (R-TX), 2025-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6] (D-CA), 2025-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-34] (D-TX), 2025-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7] (R-PA), 2025-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9] (R-PA), 2025-09-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] (R-GA), 2025-09-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kiley, Kevin [I-CA-3] (I-CA), 2025-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bean, Aaron [R-FL-4] (R-FL), 2025-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10] (R-NC), 2025-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25] (R-TX), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2] (D-LA), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3] (R-WI), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17] (R-TX), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fitzgerald, Scott [R-WI-5] (R-WI), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2] (R-OR), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5] (R-OK), 2025-09-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5] (R-NC), 2025-09-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5] (R-WA), 2025-09-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8] (R-TN), 2025-09-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2] (D-MD), 2025-09-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2] (R-KS), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20] (R-CA), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5] (D-NJ), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4] (R-OK), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50] (D-CA), 2025-10-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6] (R-KY), 2025-10-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6] (R-WI), 2025-10-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9] (D-CA), 2025-10-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3] (R-TN), 2025-11-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2] (R-IN), 2025-11-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5] (R-VA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15] (R-OH), 2025-11-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16] (R-PA), 2025-11-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15] (R-PA), 2025-11-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-11] (R-PA), 2025-11-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8] (R-WI), 2025-11-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2] (R-NV), 2025-11-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4] (R-IA), 2025-11-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large] (R-MP), 2025-11-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2] (R-MI), 2025-11-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Taylor, David J. [R-OH-2] (R-OH), 2025-12-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24] (R-NY), 2025-12-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2] (R-IA), 2025-12-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fallon, Pat [R-TX-4] (R-TX), 2025-12-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8] (R-MN), 2025-12-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6] (R-VA), 2025-12-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15] (R-IL), 2025-12-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5] (R-FL), 2025-12-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4] (R-AL), 2025-12-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11] (R-FL), 2025-12-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7] (R-NC), 2025-12-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1] (R-MN), 2025-12-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Jack, Brian [R-GA-3] (R-GA), 2025-12-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4] (R-UT), 2025-12-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12] (R-GA), 2025-12-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Strong, Dale W. [R-AL-5] (R-AL), 2025-12-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22] (R-CA), 2025-12-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6] (R-FL), 2026-01-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7] (R-NJ), 2026-01-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7] (R-GA), 2026-01-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2] (R-FL), 2026-01-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6] (R-OH), 2026-01-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1] (D-HI), 2026-01-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7] (R-OH), 2026-01-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large] (R-ND), 2026-01-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Onder, Robert F. [R-MO-3] (R-MO), 2026-01-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Patronis, Jimmy [R-FL-1] (R-FL), 2026-01-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7] (D-IL), 2026-01-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1] (R-UT), 2026-02-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8] (R-CO), 2026-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17] (R-FL), 2026-02-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10] (R-PA), 2026-02-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33] (D-TX), 2026-03-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Harris, Mark [R-NC-8] (R-NC), 2026-03-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1] (R-VA), 2026-03-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7] (R-MO), 2026-03-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1] (R-KS), 2026-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2] (R-NE), 2026-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6] (D-LA), 2026-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21] (R-NY), 2026-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. DesJarlais, Scott [R-TN-4] (R-TN), 2026-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5] (R-TX), 2026-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1] (R-MI), 2026-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9] (R-IN), 2026-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8] (R-GA), 2026-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4] (R-WA), 2026-03-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Timmons, William R. [R-SC-4] (R-SC), 2026-03-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large] (R-SD), 2026-03-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Estes, Ron [R-KS-4] (R-KS), 2026-03-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kelly, Trent [R-MS-1] (R-MS), 2026-03-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. LaHood, Darin [R-IL-16] (R-IL), 2026-03-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2] (R-SC), 2026-03-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6] (R-AL), 2026-03-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3] (R-IA), 2026-03-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large] (R-WY), 2026-03-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23] (R-CA), 2026-04-06T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8] (R-IN), 2026-04-06T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Letlow, Julia [R-LA-5] (R-LA), 2026-04-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4] (R-MI), 2026-04-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Flood, Mike [R-NE-1] (R-NE), 2026-04-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Rogers, Mike D. [R-AL-3] (R-AL), 2026-04-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1] (R-WV), 2026-04-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12] (R-IL), 2026-04-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6] (R-NC), 2026-04-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1] (R-AL), 2026-04-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Diaz-Balart, Mario [R-FL-26] (R-FL), 2026-04-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4] (R-MS), 2026-04-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6] (R-AZ), 2026-04-28T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26] (R-TX), 2026-04-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Womack, Steve [R-AR-3] (R-AR), 2026-05-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1] (R-KY), 2026-05-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moore, Riley M. [R-WV-2] (R-WV), 2026-05-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8] (R-FL), 2026-05-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14] (R-NC), 2026-05-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23] (R-NY), 2026-05-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Crank, Jeff [R-CO-5] (R-CO), 2026-05-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15] (R-FL), 2026-06-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2] (R-VA), 2026-06-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6] (R-IN), 2026-06-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2] (R-NJ), 2026-06-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3] (R-CO), 2026-06-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1] (R-NY), 2026-06-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7] (R-MI), 2026-06-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1] (R-IA), 2026-06-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-MN-7] (R-MN), 2026-07-06T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28] (R-FL), 2026-07-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18] (R-FL), 2026-07-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5] (R-SC), 2026-07-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1] (R-MD), 2026-07-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19] (R-TX), 2026-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21] (R-TX), 2026-07-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large] (R-GU), 2026-07-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ellzey, Jake [R-TX-6] (R-TX), 2026-07-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14] (R-OH), 2026-07-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27] (R-TX), 2026-07-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5] (R-AZ), 2026-07-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19] (D-CA), 2026-07-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9] (R-AZ), 2026-07-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41] (R-CA), 2026-07-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large] (R-AK), 2026-08-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2] (R-MO), 2026-08-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2] (R-AZ), 2026-08-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11] (R-NY), 2026-08-27T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19] (R-FL), 2026-08-27T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6] (R-TN), 2026-08-27T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3] (R-TX), 2026-08-27T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4] (R-CO), 2026-09-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9] (R-VA), 2026-09-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carter, John R. [R-TX-31] (R-TX), 2026-09-04T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Limits franchisor joint-employer liability: mixed, medium. 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, sup…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-1628: 761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act
- 119-hr-452: Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act
- 119-hr-1502: North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act
- 119-hr-425: Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act
- 119-hr-1422: Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025
- 119-hr-703: Main Street Tax Certainty Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-5267 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5267)

## Related
- [119-hr-1628: 761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1628)
- [119-hr-452: Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-452)
- [119-hr-1502: North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1502)
- [119-hr-425: Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-425)
- [119-hr-1422: Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1422)
- [119-hr-703: Main Street Tax Certainty Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-703)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5267 (as of 2026-11-01).