Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Federal Rulemaking topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lawmakers get a survey of recent U.S. Department of Labor rulemaking activity
Summary
An LPRO analyst summarized 2025 DOL rulemaking activity for the committee, noting 59 proposed rules across multiple DOL divisions and several final rules filed or withdrawn; committee members asked about federal‑state interactions and the definition of 'companionship services.'
Tyler Larson, a Legislative Policy and Research Office analyst, provided a summarized catalog of U.S. Department of Labor rulemaking activity since Jan. 20, 2025, to the House Interim Committee on Labor and Workforce Development.
Larson said the DOL proposed 59 rules, adopted 7 final rules (three of which were later withdrawn before their effective dates because of adverse public comment), and took actions across multiple divisions including the Employee Benefits Security Administration, Employment and Training Administration, Mine Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Wage and Hour and others. He highlighted examples such as proposed changes to apprenticeship regulations, proposed repeals of some OSHA standards, and Department of Labor activity on rules concerning contractor nondiscrimination and wage‑and‑hour interpretive guidance.
Committee members asked practical questions. Representative Nelson asked whether the federal government has a plan to notify workers and employers; Larson said publication in the Federal Register and opportunity to comment is the standard notice mechanism. Representative Graber asked whether state statutes are superseded by federal rule changes; counsel Josh explained preemption is a case‑by‑case legal analysis (express preemption, field preemption) and recommended consultation with legislative counsel for specific instances.
On a technical question about companionship services, Larson read the traditional regulatory description — fellowship, care and protection for a person who cannot meet their own needs and related household work — and confirmed that public comments on proposed federal rules are open to any interested person via the Federal Register.
Larson provided a memo and links to rulemaking dockets in the meeting materials for committee members who want to review the filings in detail.
