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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 5038 (116th)

Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

12 November 2019

Last action

12 December 2019 · 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], Rep. Peterson, Collin C. [D-MN-7], Rep. Simpson, Michael K. [R-ID-2], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Diaz-Balart, Mario [R-FL-26], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2], Rep. Cox, TJ [D-CA-21], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Brooks, Susan W. [R-IN-5], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4], Rep. Brindisi, Anthony [D-NY-22], Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Davis, Rodney [R-IL-13], Rep. Fudge, Marcia L. [D-OH-11], Rep. Gibbs, Bob [R-OH-7], Rep. Lawson, Al, Jr. [D-FL-5], Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5], Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI], Rep. Mitchell, Paul [R-MI-10], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Nunes, Devin [R-CA-22], Rep. Torres Small, Xochitl [D-NM-2], Rep. Reed, Tom [R-NY-23], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], David Scott, Rep. Stivers, Steve [R-OH-15], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Upton, Fred [R-MI-6], Rep. Schrader, Kurt [D-OR-5], Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Walden, Greg [R-OR-2], Rep. Cárdenas, Tony [D-CA-29], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Spanberger, Abigail Davis [D-VA-7], Rep. Vela, Filemon [D-TX-34], Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-11], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50]

Subjects

Housing, Immigration, Agriculture

Source updated

10 August 2026

Housing · Immigration · Agriculture

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Summary

Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019 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 November 12, 2019, (2) was inadmissible or deportable on that date, 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, and (4) making the program available for year-round agricultural work and 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. 12 November 2019

    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. 12 November 2019

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 12 November 2019

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 13 November 2019

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

    Source: Committee

  5. 19 November 2019

    Committee

    Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship Discharged.

    Source: Committee

  6. 21 November 2019

    Reported

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended).

    Source: Committee

  7. 21 November 2019

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  8. 9 December 2019

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 263.

    Source: Calendars

  9. 9 December 2019

    Discharge

    Committee on Ways and Means discharged.

    Source: Discharge

  10. 9 December 2019

    Committee

    Committee on Ways and Means discharged.

    Source: Committee

  11. 9 December 2019

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 116-328, Part I.

    Source: Committee

  12. 9 December 2019

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 116-328, Part I.

    Source: Committee

  13. 10 December 2019

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 758 Reported to House. The rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3, under a structured rule, with 4 hours of general debate. The rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5038 under a closed rule, with 1 hour of general debate. The rule provides for consideration of the conference report to accompany S. 1790 with 1 hour of debate.

    Source: Floor

  14. 11 December 2019

    ResolvingDifferences

    Mr. McGovern moved to table the motion to reconsider

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  15. 11 December 2019

    Floor

    Ms. Lofgren moved to reconsider the vote.

    Source: Floor

  16. 11 December 2019

    Vote

    On passage Passed by recorded vote: 260 - 165, 1 Present (Roll no. 674). (text: CR H10045-10066)

    Source: Floor

  17. 11 December 2019

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 260 - 165, 1 Present (Roll no. 674).(text: CR H10045-10066)

    Source: Floor

  18. 11 December 2019

    Vote

    On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 193 - 230 (Roll no. 673).

    Source: Floor

  19. 11 December 2019

    Floor

    The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

    Source: Floor

  20. 11 December 2019

    Floor

    Mr. Biggs moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H10093)

    Source: Floor

  21. 11 December 2019

    Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 758. (consideration: CR H10044-10082)

    Source: Floor

  22. 11 December 2019

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

    Source: Floor

  23. 11 December 2019

    Floor

    The rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3, under a structured rule, with 4 hours of general debate. The rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5038 under a closed rule, with 1 hour of general debate. The rule provides for consideration of the conference report to accompany S. 1790 with 1 hour of debate.

    Source: Floor

  24. 12 December 2019

    Introduced

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

    Source: IntroReferral

Votes

11 December 2019 · passed · On Passage · Passed · Official source

Yes 260 · No 165 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 5

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

11 December 2019 · failed · On Motion to Recommit with Instructions · Failed · Official source

Yes 193 · No 230 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 7

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

Versions

Documents

11 official files

Referred in Senate (text)

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  • Referred in Senate (text)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 12 December 2019

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  • Referred in Senate (PDF)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 12 December 2019

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 11 December 2019

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  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 11 December 2019

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  • Passed House

    summary · EN · 11 December 2019

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  • Reported in House (text)

    Reported in House · EN · 9 December 2019

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  • Reported in House (PDF)

    Reported in House · EN · 9 December 2019

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  • Reported to House, Part I

    summary · EN · 9 December 2019

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 12 November 2019

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 12 November 2019

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 12 November 2019

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Sponsors

Showing 48 of 68 sponsors and actors.

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Sources

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