H.R. 8555

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8555 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8555

To place the Federal minimum wage on a durable path toward a living 
wage aligned with the national median wage, to require large, highly 
profitable corporations to lead the transition, to end all subminimum 
wages, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 28, 2026

Mrs. Ramirez (for herself, Mr. Garcia of Illinois, Ms. Mejia, Ms. 
Simon, Mr. Thanedar, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Tlaib, Mr. Goldman of New 
York, Ms. Ansari, Mrs. Grijalva, Ms. Velazquez, Mr. Casar, Ms. Wilson 
of Florida, Mr. Khanna, Ms. Norton, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mr. 
Espaillat, Ms. Tokuda, Ms. Stansbury, Ms. Jayapal, Mr. Norcross, Mr. 
Menefee, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Lieu, Mrs. McIver, and Mr. Thompson 
of Mississippi) introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Education and Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To place the Federal minimum wage on a durable path toward a living 
wage aligned with the national median wage, to require large, highly 
profitable corporations to lead the transition, to end all subminimum 
wages, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Living Wage For All Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) It is a national priority that work pays a living wage 
to all workers, and that the Federal minimum wage be aligned 
with the actual cost of living. The wage increases established 
by this Act--including the attainment of a $25 hourly wage--are 
steps toward that goal and shall be followed by continued 
adjustments to ensure that the minimum wage remains responsive 
to changes in wages and economic conditions over time.
(2) Based on the best available data, including wage data 
from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and economic projections 
from the Congressional Budget Office, a minimum wage of at 
least $25 per hour represents a conservative baseline step 
toward aligning wages with the cost of living nationwide.
(3) Large, highly profitable corporations have the greatest 
capacity to raise wages and should therefore lead the 
transition to higher wage standards before smaller employers.
(4) Tying the Federal minimum wage to a fixed share of the 
national median hourly wage ensures that wage standards rise 
with the economy and prevents future erosion of purchasing 
power.
(5) A Federal minimum wage aligned with median wages 
strengthens economic security, reduces reliance on public 
assistance, and promotes broad-based economic growth.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to place the Federal 
minimum wage on a durable path toward a living wage by ensuring that it 
reaches a level equal to two-thirds of the national median hourly wage, 
consistent with the phase-in schedule and median-wage adjustments 
established under this Act, as soon as economically possible, and 
remains indexed to that standard thereafter, while requiring large 
corporations to lead the transition and providing additional adjustment 
time for other employers.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Large employer.--The term ``large employer'' means any 
employer that--
(A) has annual gross revenues of $1,000,000,000 or 
more; or
(B) employs 500 or more employees nationwide; as 
determined by the Secretary of Labor.
(2) Other employer.--The term ``other employer'' means any 
employer that does not meet the definition of a large employer.

SEC. 4. MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES.

(a) In General.--Section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 
1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)) is amended to read as follows:
``(1) Minimum wage.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
section, not less than--
``(A) Large employers.--Each employer that is a 
large employer shall pay each employee wages at a rate 
not less than--
``(i) $12.00 per hour, beginning January 1, 
2026;
``(ii) $15.00 per hour, beginning January 
1, 2027;
``(iii) $18.00 per hour, beginning January 
1, 2028;
``(iv) $20.00 per hour, beginning January 
1, 2029;
``(v) $22.50 per hour, beginning January 1, 
2030; and
``(vi) $25.00 per hour, beginning January 
1, 2031,
subject to subsection (h): Provided, That, 
notwithstanding the preceding schedule, the wage 
required under this subparagraph shall not exceed the 
wage determined under subsection (h) for the applicable 
year.
``(B) Other employers.--Each employer that is an 
other employer shall pay each employee wages at a rate 
not less than--
``(i) $12.00 per hour, beginning January 1, 
2026;
``(ii) $14.00 per hour, beginning January 
1, 2027;
``(iii) $16.00 per hour, beginning January 
1, 2028;
``(iv) $18.00 per hour, beginning January 
1, 2029;
``(v) $20.00 per hour, beginning January 1, 
2030;
``(vi) $20.60 per hour, beginning January 
1, 2031;
``(vii) $21.20 per hour, beginning January 
1, 2032;
``(viii) $21.80 per hour, beginning January 
1, 2033;
``(ix) $22.40 per hour, beginning January 
1, 2034;
``(x) $23.00 per hour, beginning January 1, 
2035;
``(xi) $23.60 per hour, beginning January 
1, 2036;
``(xii) $24.20 per hour, beginning January 
1, 2037; and
``(xiii) $25.00 per hour, beginning January 
1, 2038,
subject to subsection (h).''.

SEC. 5. MEDIAN WAGE STANDARD AND INDEXING.

Section 6 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206) 
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Determination Based on the National Median Hourly Wage.--
``(1) Target standard.--The minimum wage shall be equal to 
two-thirds of the national median hourly wage of all employees, 
as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
``(2) Phase-in alignment.--During the phase-in period 
described in subsection (a)(1), as applicable to the employer--
``(A) if the scheduled minimum wage for a calendar 
year under subsection (a)(1)(A) or (a)(1)(B) would 
exceed two-thirds of the national median hourly wage 
for that year, the minimum wage shall be set at two-
thirds of the national median hourly wage for that 
year; and
``(B) if, at the conclusion of the applicable 
phase-in schedule, the minimum wage has not yet reached 
two-thirds of the national median hourly wage, the 
minimum wage shall continue to increase annually by the 
lesser of--
``(i) $1.00; or
``(ii) the amount necessary to reach two-
thirds of the national median hourly wage.
``(3) Indexing after attainment.--Once the minimum wage 
equals two-thirds of the national median hourly wage, it shall 
thereafter be automatically adjusted each year to maintain that 
ratio.
``(4) Data and projections.--In carrying out this 
subsection, the Secretary shall rely on--
``(A) actual median wage data published by the 
Bureau of Labor Statistics; and
``(B) where necessary during the phase-in period, 
including for purposes of estimating two-thirds of the 
national median hourly wage during the phase-in period, 
economic projections from the Congressional Budget 
Office or successor agencies.
``(5) Publication.--Each annual determination under this 
subsection shall be published not later than 90 days before its 
effective date.''.

SEC. 6. TIPPED EMPLOYEES.

(a) Base Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees and Tips Retained by 
Employees.--Section 3(m)(2)(A)(i) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 
1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(m)(2)(A)(i)) is amended to read as follows:
``(i) the cash wage paid such employee, which for purposes 
of such determination shall be not less than--
``(I) for tipped employees of large employers (as 
defined in section 3 of the Living Wage For All Act), 
not less than--
``(aa) $6.00 an hour, for the 1-year period 
beginning on the effective date under section 
11 of the Living Wage For All Act;
``(bb) $9.00 an hour, beginning 1 year 
after such effective date;
``(cc) $12.00 an hour, beginning 2 years 
after such effective date;
``(dd) $15.00 an hour, beginning 3 years 
after such effective date;
``(ee) $18.00 an hour, beginning 4 years 
after such effective date; and
``(ff) beginning 5 years after such 
effective date, the minimum wage in effect 
under section 6(a)(1) for such employee; and
``(II) for tipped employees of other employers (as 
defined in section 3 of the Living Wage For All Act), 
not less than--
``(aa) $4.75 an hour, for the 1-year period 
beginning on the effective date under section 
11 of the Living Wage For All Act;
``(bb) for each succeeding 1-year period 
until the cash wage under this subclause equals 
the minimum wage in effect under section 
6(a)(1) for such employee, an hourly wage equal 
to the amount determined under this subclause 
for the preceding year, increased by the lesser 
of--
``(AA) $1.75; or
``(BB) the amount necessary for the 
wage under this subclause to equal the 
minimum wage in effect under section 
6(a)(1) for such employee; and
``(cc) for each succeeding 1-year period 
after the increase made pursuant to subclause 
(II)(bb), the minimum wage in effect under 
section 6(a)(1) for such employee; and''.
(b) Tips Retained by Employees.--Section 3(m)(2)(A) of the Fair 
Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(m)(2)(A)) is amended--
(1) in the second sentence of the matter following clause 
(ii), by striking ``of this subsection, and all tips received 
by such employee have been retained by the employee'' and 
inserting ``of this subsection. Any employee shall have the 
right to retain any tips received by such employee''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following: ``An employer shall 
inform each employee of the right and exception provided under 
the preceding sentence.''.
(c) Scheduled Repeal of Separate Minimum Wage for Tipped 
Employees.--
(1) Tipped employees.--Section 3(m)(2)(A) of the Fair Labor 
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(m)(2)(A)), as amended by 
subsections (a) and (b), is further amended by striking the 
sentence beginning with ``In determining the wage an employer 
is required to pay a tipped employee,'' and all that follows 
through ``of this subsection.'' and inserting ``The wage 
required to be paid to a tipped employee shall be the wage set 
forth in section 6(a)(1).''.
(2) Publication of notice.--Subsection (i) of section 6 of 
the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206), as added 
by section 8 of the Living Wage For All Act, is amended by 
striking ``or in accordance with subclause (II) or (III) of 
section 3(m)(2)(A)(i),'' and inserting ``or in accordance with 
section 3(m)(2)(A)(i),''.
(3) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraphs (1) 
and (2) shall take effect, with respect to a tipped employee, 
on the date that is 1 day after the date on which the cash wage 
required under section 3(m)(2)(A)(i) equals the minimum wage in 
effect under section 6(a)(1) for such employee.
(d) Penalties.--Section 16 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 
(29 U.S.C. 216) is amended--
(1) in the third sentence of subsection (b), by inserting 
``or used'' after ``kept''; and
(2) in the second sentence of subsection (e)(2), by 
inserting ``or used'' after ``kept''.

SEC. 7. YOUTH WORKERS.

(a) Base Minimum Wage for Newly Hired Employees Who Are Less Than 
20 Years Old.--Section 6(g)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 
(29 U.S.C. 206(g)(1)) is amended by striking ``a wage which is not less 
than $4.25 an hour.'' and inserting the following: ``a wage at a rate 
that is not less than--
``(A) for the 1-year period beginning on the 
effective date under section 11 of the Living Wage For 
All Act, $6.00 an hour;
``(B) for each succeeding 1-year period until the 
hourly wage under this paragraph equals the wage in 
effect under section 6(a)(1) for such period, an hourly 
wage equal to the amount determined under this 
paragraph for the preceding year, increased by the 
lesser of--
``(i) $1.75; or
``(ii) the amount necessary for the wage in 
effect under this paragraph to equal the wage 
in effect under section 6(a)(1) for such 
period; and
``(C) for each succeeding 1-year period after the 
increase made pursuant to subparagraph (B)(ii), the 
minimum wage in effect under section 6(a)(1).''.
(b) Scheduled Repeal of Separate Minimum Wage for Newly Hired 
Employees Who Are Less Than 20 Years Old.--
(1) In general.--Section 6(g) of the Fair Labor Standards 
Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(g)), as amended by subsection (a), 
shall be repealed.
(2) Publication of notice.--Subsection (i) of section 6 of 
the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206), as added 
by section 8 of the Living Wage For All Act, is amended by 
striking ``or subparagraph (B) or (C) of subsection (g)(1)'' 
and inserting ``or subsection (g)(1)''.
(3) Effective date.--The repeal and amendment made by 
paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively, shall take effect on the 
date that is 1 day after the date on which the hourly wage 
under section 6(g)(1) equals the minimum wage in effect under 
section 6(a)(1).

SEC. 8. PUBLICATION OF NOTICE.

Section 6 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206), 
as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following:
``(i) Not later than 60 days prior to the effective date of any 
increase in the required wage determined under subsection (a)(1) or 
subsection (g)(1), or in accordance with section 3(m)(2)(A)(i) or 
section 14(c)(1)(A), the Secretary shall publish in the Federal 
Register and on the website of the Department of Labor a notice 
announcing each increase in such required wage.''.

SEC. 9. WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES.

(a) Wages.--
(1) Transition to living wages for individuals with 
disabilities.--Subparagraph (A) of section 14(c)(1) of the Fair 
Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 214(c)(1)) is amended to 
read as follows:
``(A) at a rate that equals or exceeds, for each year, the 
greater of--
``(i)(I) $5.00 an hour, for the 1-year period 
beginning on the effective date under section 11 of the 
Living Wage For All Act;
``(II) for each succeeding 1-year period 
until the wage rate under this clause equals 
the wage rate in effect under section 6(a)(1) 
for such period, an hourly wage equal to the 
amount determined under this clause for the 
preceding year, increased by the lesser of--
``(aa) $1.75; or
``(bb) the amount necessary for the 
wage rate under this clause to equal 
the wage rate in effect under section 
6(a)(1) for such period; and
``(III) for each succeeding 1-year period 
after the increase made pursuant to clause 
(II)(bb), the wage rate in effect under section 
6(a)(1); or
``(ii) if applicable, the wage rate in effect on 
the day before the date of enactment of the Living Wage 
For All Act for the employment, under a special 
certificate issued under this paragraph, of the 
individual for whom the wage rate is being determined 
under this subparagraph,''.
(2) Prohibition on new special certificates; transition 
assistance.--
(A) In general.--Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor 
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 214(c)) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
``(6) Prohibition on New Special Certificates.--Notwithstanding 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall not issue a special certificate 
under this subsection to an employer that was not issued a special 
certificate under this subsection before the date of enactment of the 
Living Wage For All Act.
``(7) Transition Assistance.--Upon request, the Secretary shall 
provide--
``(A) technical assistance and information to employers 
issued a special certificate under this subsection for the 
purposes of--
``(i) assisting such employers to comply with this 
subsection, as amended by the Living Wage For All Act; 
and
``(ii) ensuring continuing employment opportunities 
for individuals with disabilities receiving a special 
minimum wage rate under this subsection; and
``(B) information to individuals employed at a special 
minimum wage rate under this subsection, which may include 
referrals to Federal or State entities with expertise in 
competitive integrated employment.''.
(B) Effective date.--The amendments made by this 
paragraph shall take effect on the date of enactment of 
this Act.
(3) Sunset.--Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act 
of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 214(c)), as amended by paragraph (2), is 
further amended by adding at the end the following:
``(8) Sunset.--Beginning on the day after the date on which the 
wage rate described in paragraph (1)(A)(i) first equals the wage rate 
in effect under section 6(a)(1), the authority to issue special 
certificates under paragraph (1) shall expire, and no special 
certificates issued under paragraph (1) shall have any legal effect.''.
(b) Publication of Notice.--
(1) Amendment.--Subsection (i) of section 6 of the Fair 
Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206), as added by 
section 8 of the Living Wage For All Act, is amended by 
striking ``or section 14(c)(1)(A)''.
(2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) 
shall take effect on the day after the date on which the wage 
rate described in section 14(c)(1)(A)(i) first equals the wage 
rate in effect under section 6(a)(1).

SEC. 10. INCARCERATED WORKERS.

Section 3 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203) 
is amended--
(1) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; 
and'' and inserting a semicolon;
(ii) in subparagraph (C)(ii)(V), by 
striking the period at the end and inserting 
``; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) any individual employed as an incarcerated worker by 
a public agency that operates the correctional facility in 
which such individual is incarcerated or detained.''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) The term `employee' includes (in addition to an individual 
described in paragraph (2)(D)) any individual employed as an 
incarcerated worker by a private entity that operates, through a 
contract with a public agency, the correctional facility in which such 
individual is incarcerated or detained.'';
(2) in subsection (m)(1), by striking ``any employee.'' and 
inserting ``any employee: Provided further, That, in the case 
of an employee who is an incarcerated worker, the cost of 
board, lodging, or other facilities and any amount taken from 
amounts paid such incarcerated worker for payment of a court-
imposed fee shall not be included in the wage paid to such 
employee.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(z)(1) `Incarcerated worker' means an individual, incarcerated or 
detained in a correctional facility operated by a public agency or by a 
private entity through a contract with a public agency, who performs 
work offered or required by or through the correctional facility, 
including work associated with prison work programs, work release 
programs, the UNICOR program, State prison industries, public works 
programs, restitution centers, correctional facility operations and 
maintenance, and private entities.
``(2) An incarcerated worker shall be considered employed by--
``(A) the public agency operating the correctional facility 
in which the individual is incarcerated or detained; or
``(B) in the case of a correctional facility operated by a 
private entity through a contract with a public agency, such 
private entity.
``(aa) `Correctional facility' has the meaning given such term in 
section 901 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 
(34 U.S.C. 10251).
``(bb)(1) `Court-imposed fee' means any fee imposed by a court as a 
result of a criminal conviction, including any surcharge imposed for a 
felony or misdemeanor conviction, a criminal justice administrative 
fee, a court-appointed attorney fee, a court clerk fee, a filing clerk 
fee, a DNA database fee, a jury fee, a crime lab analysis fee, a late 
fee, an installment fee, or any other court cost.
``(2) The term `court-imposed fee' does not include any amount 
required by a court to be paid for child support, to a crime victim 
compensation fund, for a civil judgment, or for a criminal fine.''.

SEC. 11. EFFECTIVE DATE.

Except as otherwise provided, this Act and the amendments made by 
this Act shall take effect on the first day of the calendar year that 
begins after the date of enactment of this Act.
<all>