HB1624, titled the Supporting Farm Operations Act of 2025, would direct the Secretary of Labor to change how the adverse effect wage rate (AEWR) is applied to H-2A agricultural guest workers. Under the bill, the AEWR in effect in each state on December 31, 2023 would remain the required wage rate in that state through December 31, 2026. In practical terms, this would freeze the state-specific wage floor for H-2A workers at 2023 levels for three years rather than allowing it to change under the current regulatory framework.
The bill also requires the Department of Labor to use a “primary duties” evaluation when determining the wage rate for workers who perform more than one task or duty. That clarification is intended to standardize how job classifications are assessed for wage purposes and could affect how employers document and assign work for H-2A positions. The bill is focused on modifying federal labor administration rules rather than changing immigration eligibility or the H-2A visa program itself.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would alter the implementation of federal wage regulations for H-2A nonimmigrant agricultural workers by locking in each state’s December 31, 2023 AEWR through the end of 2026. This would affect the Department of Labor’s wage-setting process, agricultural employers who rely on H-2A labor, and the workers covered by those wage rates. It would also add a statutory instruction for wage classification based on primary duties, potentially influencing how mixed-duty farm jobs are evaluated under federal labor rules.
Sentiment
The bill appears generally supportive of agricultural employers and farm operations, as reflected by its title and bipartisan list of House sponsors from farm-state members. The available context shows no recorded committee debate or votes, so there is no direct transcript evidence of opposition or support beyond the sponsorship pattern. Overall, the measure seems designed to provide wage stability and regulatory predictability for farms using H-2A labor.
Contention
The likely point of contention is the wage freeze itself. Supporters would likely view the bill as necessary to control labor costs, reduce uncertainty, and help farms remain competitive, while critics may argue that holding AEWRs at 2023 levels could suppress wage growth for guest agricultural workers and weaken the intended “adverse effect” protections. The primary-duties language could also draw scrutiny if stakeholders believe it may narrow wage determinations or create disputes over how multi-task farm jobs are classified.