February 26, 2010

The Honorable Dereck E. Davis

Economic Matters Committee

Room 231, House Office Building

Annapolis, MD 21401-1912

Re: HB404 – Labor and Employment - Wage Payment and Collection - Order to Pay Wages - Oppose

Dear Delegate Davis:

HB404 would provide for an administrative procedure for the Commissioner of Labor and Industry on receipt of a complaint for failure to pay wages that do not exceed $5,000. This would authorize the Commissioner to issue an order to pay wages under specified circumstances, authorize an employer to request a de novo hearing on the order to pay wages, and provide that the order to pay wages becomes a final order under specified circumstances.

The Legislative Committee of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce opposes this bill. This bill would inappropriately authorize the Department of Labor to function in a judicial capacity to address an issue that is currently being handled through other judicial procedures, such as small claims court.

We therefore ask that your committee give this bill a negative report. 

Sincerely,

Richard Haddad

President

CC: Senator Larry E. Haines