Memorializes congress to modify the H-2A nonimmigrant program to assist with Louisiana's labor workforce shortage.
Summary
SCR 14 is a memorial resolution urging the United States Congress to change the federal H-2A agricultural guest worker program. The resolution argues that recent U.S. Department of Labor wage-setting policies, especially the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), have driven up labor costs for Louisiana farmers and made it harder to secure an affordable, reliable farm workforce. It asks Congress to take action to reduce the regulatory burden on agricultural employers, rescind the current AEWR, pause H-2A wages at January 2023 levels, and require H-2A wage obligations to be based solely on the Farm Labor Survey.
The resolution does not change Louisiana statutes or create new state regulatory requirements. Instead, it is a formal expression of the Legislature’s position and a request that federal lawmakers revise the H-2A program. It is aimed at agricultural employers, especially labor-intensive producers such as specialty crop growers, and is framed as a response to rising labor costs, housing and transportation expenses, and concerns about farm viability and consumer prices.
The general sentiment in the bill text and voting history is strongly supportive of the measure. The Senate adopted the resolution and the House gave it final consideration with unanimous votes recorded in both chambers, indicating broad bipartisan agreement on the need to address farm labor costs and workforce availability. The tone of the resolution is urgent and pro-agriculture, emphasizing the importance of affordable labor to the competitiveness and sustainability of Louisiana farming.
There is little evidence of direct opposition in the available record, but the resolution itself identifies the main policy dispute: whether H-2A wages should be set using the broader Department of Labor methodology or tied only to the Farm Labor Survey. Supporters argue the current AEWR formula inflates wages by relying on non-agricultural wage data and creates an unsustainable burden on farmers. Any contention is therefore centered on federal wage policy, worker protections, and the balance between agricultural labor affordability and maintaining wage standards for domestic and H-2A workers.
Impact
SCR 14 has no direct effect on Louisiana state law, appropriations, or agency authority. Its legal impact is limited to memorializing Congress and transmitting the resolution to federal officials and Louisiana’s congressional delegation. The practical effect is political advocacy on behalf of Louisiana agricultural employers, seeking federal changes to the H-2A visa program and the wage methodology used to certify and compensate temporary foreign agricultural workers.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding SCR 14 is overwhelmingly favorable and unified. The bill passed the Senate and House with unanimous recorded votes, suggesting broad legislative consensus that Louisiana farmers face serious labor-cost pressures and that federal H-2A wage rules should be revisited. The resolution’s language is strongly supportive of agricultural producers and presents the issue as an economic competitiveness and sustainability concern for the state’s farm sector.
Contention
The central point of contention is the federal H-2A wage-setting framework, especially the Adverse Effect Wage Rate and the Department of Labor’s 2023 methodology. Supporters of SCR 14 contend that the current system relies on non-agricultural wage data, inflates labor costs, and threatens farm profitability. The opposing view, implied rather than stated in the record, would favor maintaining wage protections intended to prevent foreign labor from depressing wages and working conditions for U.S. workers. No member-level opposition appears in the vote record, and no committee debate is available in the provided materials.
Redistricts the Louisiana Supreme Court to increase the composition of the court from seven to nine justices. (2/3 - CA5s4)(Item #3)(See Act) (EG INCREASE GF EX See Note)