Federal

Moving H–2A to United States Department of Agriculture Act of 2023

Source: Congress.gov · 349 words in original text

What This Bill Does

This bill moves control of the H-2A program (a program that allows temporary agricultural workers to work in the United States) from the Secretary of Labor to the Secretary of Agriculture. The bill also changes which agency oversees certain parts of the program.

Who It Affects

The Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the H-2A program (which involves temporary agricultural workers).

Key Provisions

• The Secretary of Labor's duties related to the H-2A program are transferred to the Secretary of Agriculture (Sec. 2(a)(1)) • References to the Attorney General in the H-2A program rules are changed to the Secretary of Homeland Security (Sec. 2(a)(2)) • The Secretary of Labor must transfer all necessary staff, money, and materials to the Secretary of Agriculture to run the H-2A program (Sec. 2(b)(2))

What Changes

If this bill becomes law, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will take over running the H-2A program instead of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Secretary of Homeland Security will handle duties that the Attorney General previously handled in the program.

Important Definitions

None defined in bill text.

Effective Date

The changes take effect 60 days after the bill becomes law (Sec. 2(b)(1) and (2)).

I 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 575 To transfer the administration of the H–2A program from the Secretary of Labor to the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JANUARY 26, 2023 Mr. STEUBE introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To transfer the administration of the H–2A program from the Secretary of Labor to the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Moving H–2A to 4 United States Department of Agriculture Act of 2023’’. 5 SEC. 2. ADMINISTRATION OF H–2A PROGRAM. 6 (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 218 of the Immigration 7 and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1188) is amended— 8 (1) by striking ‘‘Secretary of Labor’’ and in- 9 serting ‘‘Secretary of Agriculture’’; and 10 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:24 Feb 09, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H575.IH H575 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 2 •HR 575 IH (2) by striking ‘‘Attorney General’’ and insert- 1 ing ‘‘Secretary of Homeland Security’’. 2 (b) TIMING.— 3 (1) EFFECTIVE DATE OF AMENDMENTS.—The 4 amendments made in subsection (a) shall take effect 5 on the date that is 60 days after the date of the en- 6 actment of this section. 7 (2) TRANSFER OF PROGRAM ADMINISTRA- 8 TION.—On the date that is 60 days after the date 9 of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of 10 Labor shall take such actions as are necessary to 11 provide to the Secretary of Agriculture any per- 12 sonnel, funding, and other materials necessary to 13 transfer administration of the H–2A program under 14 section 218 of the Immigration and Nationality Act 15 (8 U.S.C. 1188), to the Secretary of Agriculture. 16 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:24 Feb 09, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H575.IH H575 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB

Important: This plain English summary was generated by AI and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Always consult the official bill text on Congress.gov or a qualified attorney for legal matters.