[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 29, Volume 3]
[Revised as of July 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 29CFR780.6]

[Page 564]
 
                             TITLE 29--LABOR
 
         CHAPTER V--WAGE AND HOUR DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
 
PART 780_EXEMPTIONS APPLICABLE TO AGRICULTURE, PROCESSING OF AGRICULTURAL 
 
                         Subpart A_Introductory
 
Sec. 780.6  Basic support for interpretations.

    The ultimate decisions on interpretations of the Act are made by the 
courts (Mitchell v. Zachry, 362 U.S. 310; Kirschbaum v. Walling, 316 
U.S. 517). Court decisions supporting interpretations contained in this 
bulletin are cited where it is believed they may be helpful. On matters 
which have not been determined by the courts, it is necessary for the 
Secretary of Labor and the Administrator to reach conclusions as to the 
meaning and the application of provisions of the law in order to carry 
out their responsibilities of administration and enforcement (Skidmore 
v. Swift, 323 U.S. 134). In order that these positions may be made known 
to persons who may be affected by them, official interpretations are 
issued by the Administrator on the advice of the Solicitor of Labor, as 
authorized by the Secretary (Reorg. Pl. 6 of 1950, 64 Stat. 1263; Gen. 
Ord. 45A, May 24, 1950; 15 FR 3290; Secretary's Order 13-71, May 4, 
1971, FR; Secretary's Order 15-71, May 4, 1971, FR). Interpretative 
rules under the Act as amended in 1966 are also authorized by section 
602 of the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1966 (80 Stat. 830), which 
provides: ``On and after the date of the enactment of this Act the 
Secretary is authorized to promulgate necessary rules, regulations, or 
orders with regard to the amendments made by this Act.'' As included in 
the regulations in this part, these interpretations are believed to 
express the intent of the law as reflected in its provisions and as 
construed by the courts and evidenced by its legislative history. 
References to pertinent legislative history are made in this bulletin 
where it appears that they will contribute to a better understanding of 
the interpretations.