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Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2023

USA118th CongressHR-4319| House 
| Updated: 12/17/2024
Zoe Lofgren

Zoe Lofgren

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (22)
Kim Schrier (Democratic)Abigail Davis Spanberger (Democratic)John S. Duarte (Republican)Chrissy Houlahan (Democratic)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)J. Luis Correa (Democratic)Angie Craig (Democratic)Dan Newhouse (Republican)Greg Stanton (Democratic)Jerrold Nadler (Democratic)Josh Harder (Democratic)Henry Cuellar (Democratic)Salud O. Carbajal (Democratic)Jim Costa (Democratic)Sean Casten (Democratic)Michael K. Simpson (Republican)David G. Valadao (Republican)Rick Larsen (Democratic)Elissa Slotkin (Democratic)Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Republican)Lori Chavez-DeRemer (Republican)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Ways and Means Committee, Social Security Subcommittee, Financial Services Committee, Judiciary Committee, Education and Workforce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2023 This bill addresses issues relating to visas for farmworkers, including provisions establishing a certified agricultural worker (CAW) status and changing the H-2A temporary worker program. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may grant CAW status to an applying non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) who (1) performed at least 1,035 hours of agricultural labor during the two-year period prior to June 23, 2023; (2) on that date was inadmissible, deportable, or under a grant of deferred enforced departure or temporary protected status; and (3) has been continuously present in the United States from that date until receiving CAW status. The bill imposes additional crime-related inadmissibility grounds on CAW applicants and makes some other grounds inapplicable. CAW status shall be valid for 5.5 years and may be extended. The applicant's spouse or children may receive CAW dependent status. A CAW applicant may not be detained or removed by DHS and shall be authorized for employment until DHS makes a final decision on the application. A CAW status recipient (and dependents) may apply for lawful permanent resident status (sometimes known as a green card) after meeting various requirements, including performing a certain amount of agricultural labor for a number of years. The bill also makes various changes to the H-2A program, such as (1) modifying the method for calculating and making adjustments to the H-2A worker minimum wage, (2) specifying how an employer may satisfy requirements that it attempted to recruit U.S. workers, (3) requiring H-2A employers to guarantee certain minimum work hours, (4) making the program available for agricultural work that is not temporary or seasonal, and (5) reserving a visa allocation for the dairy industry. DHS shall establish a pilot program allowing certain H-2A workers to apply for portable status, which gives the worker 60 days after leaving a position to secure new employment with a registered H-2A employer. DHS must also establish an electronic system patterned on the E-Verify Program for employers to verify an individual's identity and employment authorization. Employers hiring individuals for agricultural employment must use the system. This bill permanently establishes the Housing Preservation and Revitalization Program, which provides financing assistance for rural rental housing and off-farm labor housing and rental assistance for qualified tenants of such housing. It also authorizes the Department of Agriculture to provide various assistance, including funding for insuring loans and grants for new farmworker housing.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-5038
Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-4916
Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-1603
Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021
Jun 23, 2023
Introduced in House
Jun 23, 2023
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and the Workforce, and Financial Services, 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.
Dec 17, 2024
Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-5038
    Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-4916
    Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-1603
    Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021


  • June 23, 2023
    Introduced in House


  • June 23, 2023
    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and the Workforce, and Financial Services, 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.


  • December 17, 2024
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.

Immigration

Related Bills

  • S 118-1490: Strategy and Investment in Rural Housing Preservation Act of 2023
  • S 118-4069: Affordable and Secure Food Act of 2024

Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2023

USA118th CongressHR-4319| House 
| Updated: 12/17/2024
Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2023 This bill addresses issues relating to visas for farmworkers, including provisions establishing a certified agricultural worker (CAW) status and changing the H-2A temporary worker program. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may grant CAW status to an applying non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) who (1) performed at least 1,035 hours of agricultural labor during the two-year period prior to June 23, 2023; (2) on that date was inadmissible, deportable, or under a grant of deferred enforced departure or temporary protected status; and (3) has been continuously present in the United States from that date until receiving CAW status. The bill imposes additional crime-related inadmissibility grounds on CAW applicants and makes some other grounds inapplicable. CAW status shall be valid for 5.5 years and may be extended. The applicant's spouse or children may receive CAW dependent status. A CAW applicant may not be detained or removed by DHS and shall be authorized for employment until DHS makes a final decision on the application. A CAW status recipient (and dependents) may apply for lawful permanent resident status (sometimes known as a green card) after meeting various requirements, including performing a certain amount of agricultural labor for a number of years. The bill also makes various changes to the H-2A program, such as (1) modifying the method for calculating and making adjustments to the H-2A worker minimum wage, (2) specifying how an employer may satisfy requirements that it attempted to recruit U.S. workers, (3) requiring H-2A employers to guarantee certain minimum work hours, (4) making the program available for agricultural work that is not temporary or seasonal, and (5) reserving a visa allocation for the dairy industry. DHS shall establish a pilot program allowing certain H-2A workers to apply for portable status, which gives the worker 60 days after leaving a position to secure new employment with a registered H-2A employer. DHS must also establish an electronic system patterned on the E-Verify Program for employers to verify an individual's identity and employment authorization. Employers hiring individuals for agricultural employment must use the system. This bill permanently establishes the Housing Preservation and Revitalization Program, which provides financing assistance for rural rental housing and off-farm labor housing and rental assistance for qualified tenants of such housing. It also authorizes the Department of Agriculture to provide various assistance, including funding for insuring loans and grants for new farmworker housing.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-5038
Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-4916
Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-1603
Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021
Jun 23, 2023
Introduced in House
Jun 23, 2023
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and the Workforce, and Financial Services, 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.
Dec 17, 2024
Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-5038
    Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-4916
    Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-1603
    Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021


  • June 23, 2023
    Introduced in House


  • June 23, 2023
    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and the Workforce, and Financial Services, 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.


  • December 17, 2024
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
Zoe Lofgren

Zoe Lofgren

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (22)
Kim Schrier (Democratic)Abigail Davis Spanberger (Democratic)John S. Duarte (Republican)Chrissy Houlahan (Democratic)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)J. Luis Correa (Democratic)Angie Craig (Democratic)Dan Newhouse (Republican)Greg Stanton (Democratic)Jerrold Nadler (Democratic)Josh Harder (Democratic)Henry Cuellar (Democratic)Salud O. Carbajal (Democratic)Jim Costa (Democratic)Sean Casten (Democratic)Michael K. Simpson (Republican)David G. Valadao (Republican)Rick Larsen (Democratic)Elissa Slotkin (Democratic)Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Republican)Lori Chavez-DeRemer (Republican)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Ways and Means Committee, Social Security Subcommittee, Financial Services Committee, Judiciary Committee, Education and Workforce Committee

Immigration

Related Bills

  • S 118-1490: Strategy and Investment in Rural Housing Preservation Act of 2023
  • S 118-4069: Affordable and Secure Food Act of 2024
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted