Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021
This bill contains provisions related to alien 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 alien who (1) performed at least 1,035 hours of agricultural labor during the two-year period prior to March 8, 2021; (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. DHS may grant dependent status to the spouse or children of a principal alien.
An alien with a pending application 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 alien (and dependents) may apply for lawful permanent resident status after meeting various requirements, including performing a certain amount of agricultural labor for a number of years.
DHS shall create an electronic platform for (1) filing H-2A petitions, (2) facilitating the processing of H-2A cases, and (3) providing agencies a single tool for obtaining H-2A-related case information.
The bill 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 shall 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.
| Action Date | Type | Text | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-03-22 | IntroReferral | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate |
| 2021-03-18 | Floor | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-18 | Vote | On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 247 - 174 (Roll no. 93). (text: CR H1527-1549) | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-18 | Vote | On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 204 - 218 (Roll no. 92). | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-18 | Floor | Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1569-1570) | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-18 | Floor | Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule XIX, the House resumed consideration of H.R. 1603. | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-18 | Floor | Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule XIX, further consideration of H.R. 1603 is postponed. | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-18 | Floor | POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Fischbach motion to recommit, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the motion to recommit, and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Fischbach demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced. | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-18 | Floor | The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to the rule. | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-18 | Floor | Mrs. Fischbach moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H1560) | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-18 | Floor | The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-18 | Floor | DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1603. | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-18 | Floor | Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1620, H.R. 6, H.R. 1603, H.R. 1868 and H.J. Res. 17. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 1620, H.R. 6, H.R. 1603, H.R. 1868, and H.J.Res. 17. The resolution provides that H.Res. 232 is hereby adopted. | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-18 | Floor | Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 233. (consideration: CR H1527-1560) | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-16 | Floor | Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 233 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1620, H.R. 6, H.R. 1603, H.R. 1868 and H.J. Res. 17. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 1620, H.R. 6, H.R. 1603, H.R. 1868, and H.J.Res. 17. The resolution provides that H.Res. 232 is hereby adopted. | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-08 | IntroReferral | Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Labor, 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. | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-08 | IntroReferral | Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Labor, 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. | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-08 | IntroReferral | Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Labor, 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. | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-08 | IntroReferral | Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Labor, 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. | House floor actions |
| 2021-03-08 | IntroReferral | Introduced in House | Library of Congress |