Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee, Judiciary Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee, Education and Workforce Committee, Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Agricultural Guest Worker Reform Initiative Act of 2019 or the AGRI Act of 2019 This bill revises provisions related to H-2A (temporary agricultural worker) visas, including to eliminate certain requirements to hire U.S. workers, expand the program to include dairy and ranch workers, and shift administrative responsibilities from the Department of Labor to the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bill establishes a trust fund to be used to (1) administer and enforce the program, (2) collect a portion of guest worker wages to be paid upon a worker's return to the worker's country of origin, and (3) provide emergency medical services for guest workers. The bill eliminates a requirement that, during the first half of the time period of a guest worker contract, certain employers must hire any qualified U.S. employee who applies to perform the job the guest worker was hired to perform. Furthermore, an employer shall not be required to pay a guest worker a wage higher than the highest of federal, state, or local minimum wage rates. The bill places limitations on when guest workers may receive civil legal assistance for low-income individuals. Employer-provided housing shall be governed generally by USDA regulations, where currently such housing must meet applicable federal, state, or local standards. Employers shall not have to provide housing to workers who can reasonably return to their permanent residence within the same day. An employer may file a civil action to recover transportation costs from a guest worker who absconds from a contract.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Immigration
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAlternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitrationCivil actions and liabilityCongressional oversightDepartment of AgricultureEmergency medical services and trauma careEmployee benefits and pensionsEmployee hiringEmployment taxesExecutive agency funding and structureForeign laborGovernment information and archivesGovernment trust fundsHealth care costs and insuranceHousing finance and home ownershipImmigration status and proceduresLabor-management relationsLawyers and legal servicesMigrant, seasonal, agricultural laborSales and excise taxesVisas and passportsWages and earningsWorker safety and health
AGRI Act of 2019
USA116th CongressHR-3740| House
| Updated: 8/6/2019
Agricultural Guest Worker Reform Initiative Act of 2019 or the AGRI Act of 2019 This bill revises provisions related to H-2A (temporary agricultural worker) visas, including to eliminate certain requirements to hire U.S. workers, expand the program to include dairy and ranch workers, and shift administrative responsibilities from the Department of Labor to the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bill establishes a trust fund to be used to (1) administer and enforce the program, (2) collect a portion of guest worker wages to be paid upon a worker's return to the worker's country of origin, and (3) provide emergency medical services for guest workers. The bill eliminates a requirement that, during the first half of the time period of a guest worker contract, certain employers must hire any qualified U.S. employee who applies to perform the job the guest worker was hired to perform. Furthermore, an employer shall not be required to pay a guest worker a wage higher than the highest of federal, state, or local minimum wage rates. The bill places limitations on when guest workers may receive civil legal assistance for low-income individuals. Employer-provided housing shall be governed generally by USDA regulations, where currently such housing must meet applicable federal, state, or local standards. Employers shall not have to provide housing to workers who can reasonably return to their permanent residence within the same day. An employer may file a civil action to recover transportation costs from a guest worker who absconds from a contract.
Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better
Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee, Judiciary Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee, Education and Workforce Committee, Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee
Immigration
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAlternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitrationCivil actions and liabilityCongressional oversightDepartment of AgricultureEmergency medical services and trauma careEmployee benefits and pensionsEmployee hiringEmployment taxesExecutive agency funding and structureForeign laborGovernment information and archivesGovernment trust fundsHealth care costs and insuranceHousing finance and home ownershipImmigration status and proceduresLabor-management relationsLawyers and legal servicesMigrant, seasonal, agricultural laborSales and excise taxesVisas and passportsWages and earningsWorker safety and health