Skip to content
PoliticalRepoPoliticalRepo

United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 1603 (117th)

Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

8 March 2021

Last action

22 March 2021 · Introduced

Status

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsors

Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4], David Scott, Rep. Simpson, Michael K. [R-ID-2], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Upton, Fred [R-MI-6], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Diaz-Balart, Mario [R-FL-26], Rep. Delgado, Antonio [D-NY-19], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Vela, Filemon [D-TX-34], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rescom. González-Colón, Jenniffer [R-PR-At Large], Rep. Spanberger, Abigail Davis [D-VA-7], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Cárdenas, Tony [D-CA-29], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-12], Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2], Rep. Wexton, Jennifer [D-VA-10], Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ], Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-18], Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37], Rep. Demings, Val Butler [D-FL-10], Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35], Rep. Schrader, Kurt [D-OR-5], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3]

Subjects

Housing, Immigration, Agriculture

Source updated

10 August 2026

Housing · Immigration · Agriculture

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

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.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 8 March 2021

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Labor, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 8 March 2021

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 8 March 2021

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 16 March 2021

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 233 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1620, H.R. 6, H.R. 1603, H.R. 1868 and H.J. Res. 17. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 1620, H.R. 6, H.R. 1603, H.R. 1868, and H.J.Res. 17. The resolution provides that H.Res. 232 is hereby adopted.

    Source: Floor

  5. 18 March 2021

    Floor

    Mrs. Fischbach moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H1560)

    Source: Floor

  6. 18 March 2021

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

    Source: Floor

  7. 18 March 2021

    Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 233. (consideration: CR H1527-1560)

    Source: Floor

  8. 18 March 2021

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  9. 18 March 2021

    Vote

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 247 - 174 (Roll no. 93). (text: CR H1527-1549)

    Source: Floor

  10. 18 March 2021

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 247 - 174 (Roll no. 93).(text: CR H1527-1549)

    Source: Floor

  11. 18 March 2021

    Vote

    On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 204 - 218 (Roll no. 92).

    Source: Floor

  12. 18 March 2021

    Floor

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1620, H.R. 6, H.R. 1603, H.R. 1868 and H.J. Res. 17. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 1620, H.R. 6, H.R. 1603, H.R. 1868, and H.J.Res. 17. The resolution provides that H.Res. 232 is hereby adopted.

    Source: Floor

  13. 18 March 2021

    Floor

    The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to the rule.

    Source: Floor

  14. 22 March 2021

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

Votes

18 March 2021 · passed · On Passage · Passed · Official source

Yes 247 · No 174 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 8

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

18 March 2021 · failed · On Motion to Recommit · Failed · Official source

Yes 204 · No 218 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 7

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

Versions

Documents

8 official files

Referred in Senate (text)

View fileDownload file

This file cannot be previewed here. Use View or Download.

Leesvertaling

Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Referred in Senate (text)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 22 March 2021

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  • Referred in Senate (PDF)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 22 March 2021

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 18 March 2021

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 18 March 2021

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Passed House

    summary · EN · 18 March 2021

    Open at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 8 March 2021

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 8 March 2021

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 8 March 2021

    Open at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

Sponsors

Showing 48 of 67 sponsors and actors.

Related records

Sources

PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.