H.R. 1603Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021

2 recorded actions229 of these members are on the 2026 ballotWhat the measure does Read on Congress.gov

Sponsor: Zoe Lofgren [D-CA-19]
Cosponsors: 61 · 48 Democrats · 13 Republicans
Policy area: Immigration
Committees: Judiciary Committee, Ways and Means Committee · and 2 more
Latest action: Mar 22, 2021 · Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

IntroducedMar 8, 2021
Passed the HouseMar 18, 2021
Passed the SenateNot yet reached
Sent to the PresidentNot yet reached
Became lawNot yet reached

What the measure doesCRS summary

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.

Roll calls on H.R. 16032 roll calls on this measure

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Mar 18, 2021Each bar: ✓ Yea from the bottom, ✕ Nay aboveMar 18, 2021

How every member votedHouse roll call 93

House Mar 18, 2021 · the primary vote

On Passage

Farm Workforce Modernization Act

Passed

247 Yea 174 Nay 8 not voting

Party-line vote 31 of 421 voting members broke with their own party: 1 Democrat, 30 Republicans.

Open the official roll call

How the chamber split

One dot per member. Select a seat or a bar to filter the list.

DemocratsRepublicansFilled: YeaRing: NayGrey: not voting or present

By party select a segment to filter

All members429 members

Democratic218 members

Republican211 members

marks half of the votes cast. A party’s majority is the side most of its voting members took.

Cosponsors61 · 48 Democrats · 13 Republicans

Signing on is not a vote: a member can cosponsor H.R. 1603 and vote against it. 1 signed when it was filed.

Loading the public record

Who lobbied on H.R. 160394 organizations

Organizations that named H.R. 1603 in a lobbying disclosure. Only those that cited the bill by number appear, so this is a floor, not a full list.

UFW FOUNDATIONfiled by UFW FOUNDATION, ADRIENNE DERVARTANIAN

Immigration · Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace · Environment/Superfund · Budget/Appropriations +1 more19 filings · 1st Quarter (Jan 1 - Mar 31) 2022Filing

NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF FOREST OWNERSfiled by JIM MASSIE & PARTNERS, LLC, NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF FOREST OWNERSIts PAC: National Alliance of Forest Owners PAC

Natural Resources · Clean Air and Water (quality) · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code · Budget/Appropriations +8 more16 filings · 3rd Quarter (July 1 - Sep 30) 2022Filing

THE IMMIGRATION HUBfiled by NVG, LLC, WILLIAMS AND JENSEN, PLLC

Immigration · Agriculture12 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2022Filing

AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FED

Agriculture · Animals · Budget/Appropriations · Clean Air and Water (quality) +18 more10 filings · 3rd Quarter (July 1 - Sep 30) 2022Filing

BIPARTISAN POLICY CENTER ACTION

Health Issues · Energy/Nuclear · Housing · Government Issues +9 more10 filings · 2nd Quarter (Apr 1 - June 30) 2022Filing

COALITION ON HUMAN NEEDS

Agriculture · Budget/Appropriations · Civil Rights/Civil Liberties · Defense +10 more9 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2022Filing

EDGE DAIRY FARMER COOPERATIVEIts PAC: Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative PAC

Food Industry (safety, labeling, etc.) · Immigration · Trade (domestic/foreign) · Environment/Superfund +2 more9 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2022Filing

FRIENDS COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL LEGISLATION

Budget/Appropriations · Defense · Foreign Relations · Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice +6 more9 filings · 3rd Quarter (July 1 - Sep 30) 2021Filing

FWD.USfiled by TIBER CREEK GROUP, FWD.US, FIERCE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Immigration9 filings · 1st Quarter (Jan 1 - Mar 31) 2022Filing

INTERNATIONAL FRESH PRODUCE ASSOCIATION (FKA UNITED FRESH PRODUCE ASSOCIATION)Its PAC: International Fresh Produce Association Fresh PAC

Budget/Appropriations · Agriculture · Food Industry (safety, labeling, etc.) · Health Issues +4 more9 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2022Filing

533 disclosures name this measure. Retrieved from LDA.gov on 2026-10-04. Senate Office of Public Records cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from LDA.gov.