Congress proposes excluding direct sellers and many real estate agents from federal employee rules
This bill is currently waiting for a vote by the full House of Representatives after being approved by a committee in February 2026. No new actions have occurred on this bill since February 2026. While the bill reached a major milestone by leaving committee, it is now stalled because House leaders have not scheduled it for a final vote.
This bill’s path across every version that has carried it.
Reintroduced
Reintroduced from H.R. 5419 (118th), which died when its Congress ended.
H.R. 5419 (118th) →How this policy affects specific groups of people
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 420.
The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-494.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 16.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Direct Selling Association says the House Education and Workforce Committee advanced H.R. 3495, which would exclude direct sellers and qualified real estate agents from “employee” status under the FLSA.
Trade publication recap of the committee action on H.R. 3495 and the bill’s effect on treating direct sellers and real estate agents as independent contractors under federal wage-and-hour law.
Conference preview noting H.R. 3495’s committee advancement and framing the bill as central to the direct selling industry’s legal/regulatory priorities.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Direct Seller and Real Estate Agent Harmonization Act
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.