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GA HR1433
Resolution
Status
Introduced
3/9/2020
Primary Sponsor
Clay Pirkle
Click for details
AI Summary
- Georgia House of Representatives urges Congress to expand eligibility requirements for federal H-2A (agricultural) and H-2B (nonagricultural) guest worker visa programs to better serve Georgia's agriculture, forestry, and landscape industries facing severe workforce shortages
- Georgia's agricultural industry contributed $76 billion in output to the state's $1 trillion economy in 2018 and supports over 399,200 jobs, but employers cannot fill positions despite starting pay of $14.00 per hour, with 70% of applicants unable to pass drug tests
- The H-2A program's limitation to temporary or seasonal farm work excludes year-round agricultural sectors such as dairy, poultry, livestock, and processing, while the H-2B program's statutory visa cap is far exceeded by employer demand, leaving businesses without guaranteed access to workers
- As of January 2020, over 101,700 jobs in Georgia were unfilled, and landscape businesses reported being 20% understaffed weekly, costing millions in lost revenue annually
- Copies of the resolution are directed to be sent to the President, congressional leadership, and all members of the Georgia congressional delegation
Legislative Description
Congress; expand eligibility requirements of the H-2A and H-2B guest worker visa programs; urge
Last Action
House Second Readers
3/12/2020
Full Bill Text
No bill text available