RI
Rhode Island House Bill H7490
Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session
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Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island House Bill H7490

Introduced
2/4/26  

Caption

Requires small employers with one to fifty (1-50) employees and large employers with fifty (50) or more employees to pay overtime wages to exempt workers if their salary exceeds varying multipliers of minimum wage for a forty (40) hour workweek.

Impact

The proposed legislation would notably alter the landscape of labor rights within the state. Currently, employees categorized as executive, administrative, or professional may be exempt from receiving overtime pay as long as their salaries meet minimum state wage criteria. By raising the salary thresholds at which these exemptions apply, H7490 aims to extend overtime eligibility to more workers, promoting greater fairness in salary-based positions. The implications are significant, as the bill emphasizes workforce equity and aims to align Rhode Island's labor policies with evolving standards of employee rights across the nation.

Summary

House Bill H7490 seeks to amend existing labor laws in Rhode Island regarding the payment of overtime wages for employees in certain exempt categories. Specifically, it requires small employers with between one to fifty employees and large employers with fifty or more employees to pay overtime to previously exempt workers if their salaries are below specified multipliers of the state's minimum wage. This change is intended to ensure that more salaried employees receive overtime compensation for hours worked beyond the standard forty-hour workweek, thereby enhancing their financial protection.

Contention

Despite the positive intentions behind H7490, the bill has sparked discussions and potential contention among various stakeholders. Proponents argue that expanding overtime eligibility is a necessary protection for more workers, especially in a changing economic climate where many salaried employees work longer hours without additional compensation. On the other hand, some critics fear that expanding overtime requirements could burden small businesses financially, potentially leading to consequences such as reduced hiring or increased operational costs. These discussions reflect broader debates about labor rights, business sustainability, and the roles of state regulation within the economy.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI H5678

Requires small employers with one to fifty (1-50) employees and large employers with fifty (50) or more employees to pay overtime wages to exempt workers if their salary exceeds varying multipliers of minimum wage for a forty (40) hour workweek.

RI S0589

Requires small employers with one to fifty (1-50) employees and large employers with fifty (50) or more employees to pay overtime wages to exempt workers if their salary exceeds varying multipliers of minimum wage for a forty (40) hour workweek.

RI H5943

Provides all employees of retail establishments with 15 or more employees engaged in work during Sundays or holidays shall receive from their employer no less than time and a half and shall be guaranteed at least a minimum of four (4) hours employment.

RI S0857

Provides all employees of retail establishments with 15 or more employees engaged in work during Sundays or holidays shall receive from their employer no less than time and a half and shall be guaranteed at least a minimum of four (4) hours employment.

RI H5418

Amends the definition of "small employer" for purposes of the small employer health insurance availability act to mean a business employing less than one hundred (100) employees rather than fifty (50) employees.

RI S0070

Requires employer, at the start of employment, furnish to their employees a written notice containing employment information relative to wages, rates of pay, allowances, benefits, deductions from pay, and identifying information relative to the employer.

RI H5679

Requires employer, at the start of employment, furnish to their employees a written notice containing employment information relative to wages, rates of pay, allowances, benefits, deductions from pay, and identifying information relative to the employer.

RI S0959

Protects bullying/psychological abuse in workplace inflicted upon employees by employers/co-employees/provides civil remedies to affected employees/fines against employers/imprisonment/fines against co-employees.

RI H5944

Defines employees as individuals employed by a municipality or state covered by a collective bargaining agreement or employment contract, and would redefine an "employer" to those who employ fifteen (15) or more employees.

RI S0858

Defines employees as individuals employed by a municipality or state covered by a collective bargaining agreement or employment contract, and would redefine an "employer" to those who employ fifteen (15) or more employees.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.