HB 6044 Summary

• Creates the "Seasonal and Migrant Agricultural Worker Emergency Payment Act" to provide hazard pay to migrant and seasonal agricultural workers who work during declared states of emergency.

• Establishes a payment program in the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity providing $2.00 per hour worked during a state of emergency, without reducing the worker's regular hourly pay.

• Requires workers to submit applications within 90 days after the effective date or 90 days after a state of emergency declaration, whichever is later, with the department establishing eligibility criteria and a review process.

• Creates the State of Emergency Hazard Payment Fund within the state treasury to fund the program, with money remaining in the fund at fiscal year-end rather than lapsing to the general fund.

• Makes willfully filing false statements on applications a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days imprisonment or a $500 fine, and requires annual reporting to legislative appropriations committees.