I 
114TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6312 
To promote economic opportunity for military families, to facilitate workforce 
attachment for military spouses in their chosen occupation across mul-
tiple geographical postings, to reduce barriers to work on military instal-
lations, to amend the District of Columbia Code to promote greater 
freedom in the practice of regulated occupations, to combat abuse of 
occupational licensing laws by economic incumbents, to promote competi-
tion, encourage innovation, protect consumers, and promote compliance 
with Federal antitrust law, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 14, 2016 
Mr. MEADOWS (for himself and Mr. BRAT) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 
and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Natural Re-
sources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic-
tion of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To promote economic opportunity for military families, to 
facilitate workforce attachment for military spouses in 
their chosen occupation across multiple geographical 
postings, to reduce barriers to work on military installa-
tions, to amend the District of Columbia Code to pro-
mote greater freedom in the practice of regulated occupa-
tions, to combat abuse of occupational licensing laws 
by economic incumbents, to promote competition, encour-
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age innovation, protect consumers, and promote compli-
ance with Federal antitrust law, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Alternatives to Licensing that Lower Obstacles to Work 
Act of 2016’’ or the ‘‘ALLOW Act’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
TITLE I—MILITARY INSTALLATIONS 
Sec. 101. Endorsement of occupational licenses and certifications issued by 
States for purposes of activities on military installations. 
TITLE II—DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING 
REFORM 
Sec. 201. Short title. 
Sec. 202. Statement of findings and purpose. 
Sec. 203. Definitions. 
Sec. 204. Policy regarding occupational licensure. 
Sec. 205. Office of Supervision of Occupational Boards. 
Sec. 206. Periodic analysis of occupational regulations. 
Sec. 207. Freedom to engage in an occupation. 
Sec. 208. Affirmative defense. 
TITLE III—TOUR GUIDE SERVICES IN NATIONAL MILITARY 
PARKS, NATIONAL BATTLEFIELDS, NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD 
PARKS, NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD SITES, AND THE NATIONAL 
MALL AND MEMORIAL PARKS 
Sec. 301. Tour guide services. 
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TITLE I—MILITARY 
INSTALLATIONS 
SEC. 101. ENDORSEMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES 
AND CERTIFICATIONS ISSUED BY STATES 
FOR PURPOSES OF ACTIVITIES ON MILITARY 
INSTALLATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—For the purpose of establishing 
an individual’s authorization to engage in an occupation 
on a military installation located on land owned by the 
Federal Government, the Federal Government endorses 
occupational licenses and certifications granted by any 
State, regardless of whether the military installation is lo-
cated in the issuing State, provided that— 
(1) the license or certification is not expired, re-
voked, or suspended by the issuing State; and 
(2) there are no outstanding enforcement ac-
tions against the individual brought by the licensing 
board or certifying authority for that occupation in 
the issuing State. 
(b) SCOPE OF PRACTICE.—An individual relying on 
subsection (a) for authorization to engage in an occupa-
tion is authorized to sell the same goods and services as 
are covered by the occupational license or certification in 
the issuing State. 
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(c) STATE DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘State’’ includes the District of Columbia. 
TITLE II—DISTRICT OF COLUM-
BIA OCCUPATIONAL LICENS-
ING REFORM 
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘District of Columbia 
Occupational Licensing Reform Act’’. 
SEC. 202. STATEMENT OF FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) The prevalence of occupational licensing has 
increased dramatically in recent decades, in part be-
cause private interests have sought licensing in order 
to limit competition. 
(2) Occupational licensing often limits opportu-
nities for workers, frustrates entrepreneurs seeking 
to introduce new business models, and raises prices 
paid by consumers. 
(3) Licensing should be imposed only to combat 
real, substantial threats to public health or safety 
and only where other less restrictive regulatory alter-
natives are insufficient to protect consumers and 
serve the public interest. 
(4) Regulators should consider a range of less 
restrictive alternatives before enacting an occupa-
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tional licensing regime, which may include inspec-
tions, bonding or insurance requirements, registra-
tion, and voluntary certification. 
(5) Voluntary certification provides a particu-
larly significant alternative to licensure, as it allows 
market participants to signal to consumers the at-
tainment of personal qualifications without limiting 
entry into the marketplace. 
(6) The failure of State governments to adopt 
less restrictive alternatives to licensing has resulted 
in significant costs to consumers and the broader 
economy. 
(7) By appropriately limiting occupational li-
censing in the District of Columbia, Congress in-
tends to promote economic opportunity in the Dis-
trict. 
(8) By promoting economic opportunity in the 
District of Columbia through the reform of occupa-
tional regulations, Congress intends to provide a 
basic reform model that the States may follow. 
SEC. 203. DEFINITIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In this title: 
(1) ATTORNEY GENERAL.—The term ‘‘Attorney 
General’’ means the Attorney General for the Dis-
trict of Columbia. 
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