summary
Introduced
01/04/2017
01/04/2017
In Committee
05/02/2017
05/02/2017
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2018
12/31/2018
Introduced Session
115th Congress
Bill Summary
Family Farm Relief Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a process for receiving H-2A nonimmigrant visas (temporary agricultural workers) which shall ensure that that petitioners may file such petitions over the Internet or in paper form. (Administration of the H-2A program is transferred from the Department of Labor to USDA.) The bill: (1) includes year-round livestock workers, including dairy workers, in the H-2A category with a maximum three-year period of admissions, which may be renewed three months after the end of each such period; and (2) revises H-2A certification provisions.
AI Summary
This bill, the Family Farm Relief Act of 2017, aims to simplify the H-2A visa program for temporary agricultural workers, including year-round livestock and dairy workers. The key provisions are:
1. Transferring administration of the H-2A program from the Department of Labor to the Department of Agriculture, to streamline the process.
2. Establishing an electronic filing system for H-2A petitions, allowing employers to file online or on paper.
3. Repealing the requirement that employers hire at least 50% of their workforce from the domestic labor market.
4. Eliminating the need for employers to submit prevailing wage surveys.
5. Expanding the H-2A program to include year-round livestock and dairy workers, with a maximum 3-year admission period.
6. Allowing agricultural associations to file H-2A petitions and transfer workers among their members.
7. Requiring agency reporting if processing times for H-2A petitions exceed 7 days on average.
The overall goal is to make the H-2A visa program more accessible and efficient for agricultural employers, particularly family farms, to address labor shortages.
Committee Categories
Justice, Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (9)
Elise Stefanik (R)*,
Mark Amodei (R),
Mike Coffman (R),
Chris Collins (R),
Daniel Donovan (R),
John Faso (R),
Dan Newhouse (R),
Tom Reed (R),
Claudia Tenney (R),
Last Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. (on 05/02/2017)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/281/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr281/BILLS-115hr281ih.pdf |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr281/BILLS-115hr281ih.pdf.pdf |
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