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H-2A Agricultural Worker Program Reform: Faster Approvals and Wage Rate Cap.

This law shifts the oversight of the H-2A foreign agricultural worker program from the Department of Labor to the Department of Agriculture. It speeds up the application process for employers and caps the required wage rate for these workers at 115% of the highest minimum wage. These reforms aim to simplify labor access for farmers but introduce significant changes to worker protections and compensation standards.
Key points
The Department of Agriculture now manages the H-2A program, replacing the Department of Labor, to streamline farmer applications.
Employer wage obligations for H-2A workers are capped at 115% of the highest minimum wage (Federal or State), potentially lowering labor costs.
Applications for workers are automatically approved if the Department of Agriculture fails to issue a decision within 15 days.
New rules allow employers to provide a housing allowance instead of physical housing if certified by the State Governor.
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Status: Introduced
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Additional Information
Print number: 119_HR_6122
Sponsor: Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12]
System Note: Lustra is free, publicly auditable civic infrastructure — full source code available on GitHub. You are reading sterilized legislative data, processed by our radical neutrality engine to strip political spin and retain factual mechanics. We process only official government data. Original documents remain the authoritative source—always verify them if you can.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-09-2025
Source data: api.congress.gov
AI work logs for this document launch

OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

BARN Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 119_HR_6122.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • The Department of Agriculture now manages the H-2A program, replacing the Department of Labor, to streamline farmer applications.
  • Employer wage obligations for H-2A workers are capped at 115% of the highest minimum wage (Federal or State), potentially lowering labor costs.
  • Applications for workers are automatically approved if the Department of Agriculture fails to issue a decision within 15 days.
  • New rules allow employers to provide a housing allowance instead of physical housing if certified by the State Governor.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Introduced.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-23.

What is the impact of this bill?

We don't know—that is up to you to decide. Summarizing raw data with AI is fundamentally different from predicting socio-economic outcomes. As of 2026, we believe impact assessment strictly requires a human in the loop to verify and judge.

CATEGORIES

Agriculture Labor Migration