FARM Stability Act

Key Points

• This bill would change how the government sets pay for temporary foreign farmworkers, known as H-2A workers. Instead of one flat rate, the Labor Department would create two different pay levels based on a worker's experience and training.
• New workers with little experience would be placed in the first pay level. Workers with more experience, special training, or certificates would be in the second level and would earn a higher hourly wage than the beginners.
• The plan also lets employers count the value of the housing they provide toward the worker's total compensation. This would be calculated as an hourly amount based on local rental prices for a four-bedroom home.
• The housing credit cannot take away more than 30 percent of a worker's hourly pay. This is meant to balance the cost of providing housing with the need to ensure workers still take home a fair paycheck.
• Supporters believe these changes will help farmers manage high labor costs while still rewarding experienced workers. Critics may worry that the housing adjustment could lead to lower take-home pay for some laborers.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.