House Passes Farm Workforce Modernization Act

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act last week with bipartisan support.

The bill creates a certified agricultural worker status for H-2A temporary farm workers. California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson called the bill "a huge step toward addressing problems that have harmed farmers, ranchers and their employees for more than a generation."

Here's Salinas Valley Congressman Jimmy Panetta offering his support for the bill on the house floor.

Panetta…"This bill would protect our existing ag workers and it promotes an enduring ag workforce. This bill does that by allowing those who have worked in ag to stay working in ag and the opportunity to earn a pathway here in this country. It does that by modernizing an outdated system for temporary workers and adding three year visas for year round workers. It does that by ensuring a number of visas, fair wages, a supply of housing, and safe working conditions by passing this bill. Finally, farmers will have access to a dependable and experienced workforce, and farm workers will get not just the legality, but the dignity that they deserve."

If approved by the Senate and signed into law by President Trump, this bill would establish a program for legal status for agricultural workers and their spouses and children. It also aims to improve the H-2A program to provide more flexibility for employers and protection for farm workers.