### §2272. Group eligibility requirements

#### (a) In general

A group of workers (including workers in any agricultural firm or subdivision of an agricultural firm) shall be certified by the Secretary as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under this part pursuant to a petition filed under section 2271 of this title if the Secretary determines that—

(1) a significant number or proportion of the workers in such workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision of the firm, have become totally or partially separated, or are threatened to become totally or partially separated; and

(2)(A)(i) the sales or production, or both, of such firm or subdivision have decreased absolutely;

(ii) imports of articles like or directly competitive with articles produced by such firm or subdivision have increased; and

(iii) the increase in imports described in clause (ii) contributed importantly to such workers' separation or threat of separation and to the decline in the sales or production of such firm or subdivision; or

(B)(i) there has been a shift in production by such workers' firm or subdivision to a foreign country of articles like or directly competitive with articles which are produced by such firm or subdivision; and

(ii)(I) the country to which the workers' firm has shifted production of the articles is a party to a free trade agreement with the United States;

(II) the country to which the workers' firm has shifted production of the articles is a beneficiary country under the Andean Trade Preference Act [19 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.], African Growth and Opportunity Act [19 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.], or the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act [19 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.]; or

(III) there has been or is likely to be an increase in imports of articles that are like or directly competitive with articles which are or were produced by such firm or subdivision.

#### (b) Adversely affected secondary workers

A group of workers (including workers in any agricultural firm or subdivision of an agricultural firm) shall be certified by the Secretary as eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance benefits under this part pursuant to a petition filed under section 2271 of this title if the Secretary determines that—

(1) a significant number or proportion of the workers in the workers' firm or an appropriate subdivision of the firm have become totally or partially separated, or are threatened to become totally or partially separated;

(2) the workers' firm (or subdivision) is a supplier or downstream producer to a firm (or subdivision) that employed a group of workers who received a certification of eligibility under subsection (a), and such supply or production is related to the article that was the basis for such certification (as defined in subsection (c)(3) and (4)); and

(3) either—

(A) the workers' firm is a supplier and the component parts it supplied to the firm (or subdivision) described in paragraph (2) accounted for at least 20 percent of the production or sales of the workers' firm; or

(B) a loss of business by the workers' firm with the firm (or subdivision) described in paragraph (2) contributed importantly to the workers' separation or threat of separation determined under paragraph (1).

#### (c) Definitions

For purposes of this section—

(1) The term "contributed importantly" means a cause which is important but not necessarily more important than any other cause.

(2)(A) Any firm, or appropriate subdivision of a firm, that engages in exploration or drilling for oil or natural gas shall be considered to be a firm producing oil or natural gas.

(B) Any firm, or appropriate subdivision of a firm, that engages in exploration or drilling for oil or natural gas, or otherwise produces oil or natural gas, shall be considered to be producing articles directly competitive with imports of oil and with imports of natural gas.

(3) Downstream producer.—The term "downstream producer" means a firm that performs additional, value-added production processes for a firm or subdivision, including a firm that performs final assembly or finishing, directly for another firm (or subdivision), for articles that were the basis for a certification of eligibility under subsection (a) of a group of workers employed by such other firm, if the certification of eligibility under subsection (a) is based on an increase in imports from, or a shift in production to, Canada or Mexico.

(4) Supplier.—The term "supplier" means a firm that produces and supplies directly to another firm (or subdivision) component parts for articles that were the basis for a certification of eligibility under subsection (a) of a group of workers employed by such other firm.

(Pub. L. 93–618, title II, §222, Jan. 3, 1975, 88 Stat. 2019; Pub. L. 97–35, title XXV, §2501, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 881; Pub. L. 98–120, §3(a), Oct. 12, 1983, 97 Stat. 809; Pub. L. 99–272, title XIII, §13002(a), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 300; Pub. L. 100–418, title I, §1421(a)(1)(A), (b)(1), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1242, 1243; Pub. L. 103–182, title V, §503(a), Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2151; Pub. L. 107–210, div. A, title I, §113, Aug. 6, 2002, 116 Stat. 937; Pub. L. 108–429, title II, §2004(a)(5), Dec. 3, 2004, 118 Stat. 2590; Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, §§1801(b), (c), (e)(2), 1802, Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 367, 368, 370, 371; Pub. L. 112–40, title II, §§201(b), (c), 211(a), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 403; Pub. L. 113–128, title V, §512(hh)(2), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1720; Pub. L. 114–27, title IV, §402(b), (c), June 29, 2015, 129 Stat. 374.)

#### Termination of Assistance

For termination of assistance under this part after June 30, 2022, see Termination Date note below.

#### **Editorial Notes**

#### References in Text

The Andean Trade Preference Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii)(II), is title II of Pub. L. 102–182, Dec. 4, 1991, 105 Stat. 1236, which is classified generally to chapter 20 (§3201 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3201 of this title and Tables.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii)(II), is title I of Pub. L. 106–200, May 18, 2000, 114 Stat. 252, which is classified principally to chapter 23 (§3701 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3701 of this title and Tables.

The Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii)(II), is title II of Pub. L. 98–67, Aug. 5, 1983, 97 Stat. 384, which is classified principally to chapter 15 (§2701 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2701 of this title and Tables.

#### Codification

Section reflects the July 1, 2021, reversion to provisions in effect on Jan. 1, 2014. See Effective and Termination Dates of 2015 Revival note below.

Section 233 of Pub. L. 112–40, which provided for the Jan. 1, 2014, revival of this section as in effect on Feb. 13, 2011, was repealed by Pub. L. 114–27, title IV, §402(a), June 29, 2015, 129 Stat. 374, and the provisions of this section, as in effect on Dec. 31, 2013, were temporarily revived, effective June 29, 2015, until July 1, 2021, by Pub. L. 114–27, §§402(b), (c), 406. See 2011 and 2015 Amendment notes, Effective and Termination Dates of 2011 Revival notes, and Effective and Termination Dates of 2015 Revival notes below.

Amendment made by Pub. L. 113–128 was effective July 1, 2015, and was executed to this section as it existed on Dec. 31, 2013, pursuant to section 402(b) of Pub. L. 114–27, which revived the provisions of this section, effective June 29, 2015. See 2014 Amendment note below.

Section 1893 of Pub. L. 111–5, which provided for Feb. 13, 2011, termination of amendment by Pub. L. 111–5, was repealed by Pub. L. 112–40, title II, §201(a), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 403, and the provisions of this section, as amended by Pub. L. 111–5 and as in effect on Feb. 12, 2011, were temporarily revived, effective Oct. 21, 2011, until Jan. 1, 2014, by Pub. L. 112–40, §§201(b), (c), 233. See 2009 and 2011 Amendment notes, Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment notes, and Effective and Termination Dates of 2011 Revival notes below.

#### Amendments

2015—Pub. L. 114–27, §§402(b), (c), 406, temporarily revived the provisions of this section, as in effect on Dec. 31, 2013. See Codification note above and 2011 Amendment and Effective and Termination Dates of 2015 Revival notes below.

2014—Subsec. (d)(2)(A)(iv). Pub. L. 113–128 substituted "one-stop operators or one-stop partners (as defined in section 3102 of title 29)" for "one-stop operators or one-stop partners (as defined in section 2801 of title 29)". See Codification note above.

2011—Pub. L. 112–40, §§201(b), (c), 233, temporarily revived the provisions of this section, as in effect on Feb. 12, 2011. See Codification note above and 2009 Amendment and Effective and Termination Dates of 2011 Revival notes below.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–40, §§211(a)(1), (2), 233, temporarily redesignated subsec. (c) as (b) and struck out former subsec. (b). Prior to amendment, text of subsec. (b) read as follows: "A group of workers in a public agency shall be certified by the Secretary as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under this part pursuant to a petition filed under section 2271 of this title if the Secretary determines that—

"(1) a significant number or proportion of the workers in the public agency have become totally or partially separated, or are threatened to become totally or partially separated;

"(2) the public agency has acquired from a foreign country services like or directly competitive with services which are supplied by such agency; and

"(3) the acquisition of services described in paragraph (2) contributed importantly to such workers' separation or threat of separation."

See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2011 Revival note below.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 112–40, §§211(a)(3), 233, temporarily substituted "(c)(3)" for "(d)(3)". See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2011 Revival note below.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 112–40, §§211(a)(2), 233, temporarily redesignated subsec. (d) as (c). Former subsec. (c) temporarily redesignated (b). See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2011 Revival note below.

Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 112–40, §§211(a)(4), 233, temporarily struck out par. (5). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "For purposes of subsection (a), the term 'firm' does not include a public agency." See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2011 Revival note below.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 112–40, §§211(a)(2), 233, temporarily redesignated subsec. (e) as (d). Former subsec. (d) temporarily redesignated (c). See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2011 Revival note below.

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 112–40, §§211(a)(5), 233, temporarily substituted "or (b)" for ", (b), or (c)" in introductory provisions. See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2011 Revival note below.

Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 112–40, §§211(a)(2), 233, temporarily redesignated subsec. (f) as (e). Former subsec. (e) temporarily redesignated (d). See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2011 Revival note below.

2009—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–5, §§1801(e)(2)(A), 1893, temporarily struck out "(including workers in any agricultural firm or subdivision of an agricultural firm)" after "group of workers" in introductory provisions. See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 111–5, §§1801(e)(2)(B)(i), 1893, temporarily struck out ", or an appropriate subdivision of the firm," after "workers' firm". See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(i). Pub. L. 111–5, §§1801(e)(2)(B)(ii), 1893, temporarily struck out "or subdivision" after "such firm". See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 111–5, §§1801(b)(1)(A), 1893, temporarily amended cl. (ii) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (ii) read as follows: "imports of articles like or directly competitive with articles produced by such firm or subdivision have increased; and". See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 111–5, §§1801(e)(2)(B)(ii), 1893, temporarily struck out "or subdivision" after "such firm". See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 111–5, §§1801(b)(1)(B), 1893, temporarily amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows:

"(i) there has been a shift in production by such workers' firm or subdivision to a foreign country of articles like or directly competitive with articles which are produced by such firm or subdivision; and

"(ii)(I) the country to which the workers' firm has shifted production of the articles is a party to a free trade agreement with the United States;

"(II) the country to which the workers' firm has shifted production of the articles is a beneficiary country under the Andean Trade Preference Act, African Growth and Opportunity Act, or the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act; or

"(III) there has been or is likely to be an increase in imports of articles that are like or directly competitive with articles which are or were produced by such firm or subdivision."

See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–5, §§1801(b)(2), (3), 1893, temporarily added subsec. (b) and redesignated former subsec. (b) as (c). See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–5, §§1801(e)(2)(A), 1893, temporarily struck out "(including workers in any agricultural firm or subdivision of an agricultural firm)" after "group of workers" in introductory provisions. See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 111–5, §§1801(b)(2), 1893, temporarily redesignated subsec. (b) as (c). Former subsec. (c) temporarily redesignated (d). See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 111–5, §§1801(e)(2)(C)(i), 1893, temporarily struck out "(or subdivision)" after "workers' firm" and after "producer to a firm", inserted "or service" after "the article", and substituted "(d)(3)" for "(c)(3)". See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 111–5, §§1801(e)(2)(C)(ii), 1893, temporarily struck out "(or subdivision)" after "the firm" in two places. See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 111–5, §§1801(e)(2)(D)(i), 1893, temporarily inserted heading. See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 111–5, §§1801(b)(2), 1893, temporarily redesignated subsec. (c) as (d). See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 111–5, §§1801(e)(2)(D)(ii), 1893, temporarily struck out ", or appropriate subdivision of a firm," after "Any firm" in two places. See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 111–5, §§1801(e)(2)(D)(iii), 1893, temporarily amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The term 'downstream producer' means a firm that performs additional, value-added production processes for a firm or subdivision, including a firm that performs final assembly or finishing, directly for another firm (or subdivision), for articles that were the basis for a certification of eligibility under subsection (a) of this section of a group of workers employed by such other firm, if the certification of eligibility under subsection (a) of this section is based on an increase in imports from, or a shift in production to, Canada or Mexico." See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 111–5, §§1801(e)(2)(D)(iv), 1893, temporarily struck out "(or subdivision)" after "another firm" and inserted ", or services, used in the production of articles or in the supply of services, as the case may be," after "for articles". See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 111–5, §§1801(e)(2)(D)(v), 1893, temporarily added par. (5). See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note below.

Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 111–5, §§1801(c), 1802, 1893, temporarily added subsecs. (e) and (f). See Codification note above and Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note below.

2004—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 108–429 made technical amendment to heading and inserted "pursuant to a petition filed under section 2271 of this title" after "under this part" in introductory provisions.

2002—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107–210, §113(a)(1)(A), inserted heading and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Secretary shall certify a group of workers (including workers in any agricultural firm or subdivision of an agricultural firm) as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under this subpart if he determines—

"(1) that a significant number or proportion of the workers in such workers' firm or an appropriate subdivision of the firm have become totally or partially separated, or are threatened to become totally or partially separated,

"(2) that sales or production, or both, of such firm or subdivision have decreased absolutely, and

"(3) that increases of imports of articles like or directly competitive with articles produced by such workers' firm or an appropriate subdivision thereof contributed importantly to such total or partial separation, or threat thereof, and to such decline in sales or production."

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 107–210, §113(a)(1)(C), added subsec. (b). Former subsec. (b) redesignated (c).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107–210, §113(b)(1), substituted "this section" for "subsection (a)(3) of this section" in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 107–210, §113(a)(1)(B), redesignated subsec. (b) as (c).

Subsec. (c)(3), (4). Pub. L. 107–210, §113(b)(2), added pars. (3) and (4).

1993—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–182 substituted "assistance under this subpart" for "assistance under this part".

1988—Pub. L. 100–418, §1421(a)(1)(A), struck out last sentence which defined "contributed importantly" for purposes of par. (3), designated remaining provisions as subsec. (a), and added subsec. (b).

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 100–418, §1421(b)(1), directed the general amendment of par. (3) adding provisions relating to provision of essential goods or services by such workers' firm, or appropriate subdivision thereof, which amendment did not become effective pursuant to section 1430(d) of Pub. L. 100–418, as amended, set out as an Effective Date note under section 2397 of this title.

1986—Pub. L. 99–272 inserted "(including workers in any agricultural firm or subdivision of an agricultural firm)" after "group of workers".

1983—Pub. L. 98–120, §3(a)(2), substituted "For purposes of paragraph (3), the term 'contributed importantly' means a cause which is important, but not necessarily more important than any other cause" for "For purposes of paragraph (3), the term 'substantial cause' means a cause which is important and not less than any other cause" in provision following par. (3).

Par. (3). Pub. L. 98–120, §3(a)(1), substituted "contributed importantly to such total or partial separation, or threat thereof, and to such decline" for "were a substantial cause of such total or partial separation, or threat thereof, and of such decline".

1981—Pub. L. 97–35 substituted provisions defining "substantial cause" and applicability of such term in par. (3) for provisions defining "contributed importantly" and applicability of such term in par. (3).

#### **Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries**

#### Effective and Termination Dates of 2015 Revival

For revival and applicability, beginning on June 29, 2015, of the provisions of this section as in effect on Dec. 31, 2013, see section 402(b), (c) of Pub. L. 114–27, set out as a note preceding section 2271 of this title.

For reversion, beginning on July 1, 2021, to the provisions of this section as in effect on Jan. 1, 2014, with certain exceptions and subject to section 406(b) of Pub. L. 114–27, see section 406 of Pub. L. 114–27, set out as a note preceding section 2271 of this title.

#### Effective Date of 2014 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 113–128 effective on the first day of the first full program year after July 22, 2014 (July 1, 2015), see section 506 of Pub. L. 113–128, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3101 of Title 29, Labor.

#### Effective and Termination Dates of 2011 Revival

For revival and applicability, beginning on Oct. 21, 2011, of the provisions of this section as in effect on Feb. 12, 2011, see section 201(b), (c) of Pub. L. 112–40, set out as a note preceding section 2271 of this title.

Section 233 of Pub. L. 112–40, formerly set out as a note preceding section 2271 of this title, which provided for the reversion, beginning on Jan. 1, 2014, of the provisions of this section to those in effect on Feb. 13, 2011, subject to certain exceptions, was repealed by Pub. L. 114–27, title IV, §402(a), June 29, 2015, 129 Stat. 374, effective June 29, 2015. See Codification note above.

#### Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment

Except as otherwise provided and subject to certain applicability provisions, amendment by Pub. L. 111–5 effective upon the expiration of the 90-day period beginning on Feb. 17, 2009, see section 1891 of Pub. L. 111–5, set out as a note under section 2271 of this title.

Section 1893 of Pub. L. 111–5, formerly set out as a Termination Date of 2009 Amendment note preceding section 2271 of this title, which provided that, except as otherwise provided, amendment by Pub. L. 111–5 not applicable on or after Feb. 13, 2011, and that this section be applied and administered beginning Feb. 13, 2011, as if amendment by Pub. L. 111–5 had never been enacted, was repealed by Pub. L. 112–40, title II, §201(a), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 403, effective Oct. 21, 2011. See Codification note above.

#### Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–210 applicable to petitions for certification filed under this part or part 3 of this subchapter on or after the date that is 90 days after Aug. 6, 2002, except as otherwise provided, see section 151 of Pub. L. 107–210, set out as a note preceding section 2271 of this title.

#### Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–182 effective on the date the North American Free Trade Agreement enters into force with respect to the United States (Jan. 1, 1994), see section 506(a) of Pub. L. 103–182, formerly set out as a note under section 2271 of this title.

#### Effective Date of 1983 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–120, §3(b), Oct. 12, 1983, 97 Stat. 809, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to petitions for certification filed under section 221 of the Trade Act of 1974 [19 U.S.C. 2271] on or after October 1, 1983."

#### Effective Date of 1981 Amendment and Transition Provisions

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–35 applicable to petitions filed on or after Oct. 1, 1983, with transition provisions applicable, see section 2514 of Pub. L. 97–35, set out as a note under section 2291 of this title.

#### Termination Date

No trade adjustment assistance, vouchers, allowances, or other payments or benefits may be provided under this part after June 30, 2022, except as otherwise provided, see section 285 of Pub. L. 93–618, as modified by section 406(a)(7) of Pub. L. 114–27, set out as notes preceding section 2271 of this title.

#### Workers Covered by Certification Notwithstanding Other Law

Pub. L. 100–418, title I, §1421(a)(1)(B), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1243, provided that: "Notwithstanding section 223(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 [19 U.S.C. 2273(b)], or any other provision of law, any certification made under subchapter A of chapter 2 of title II of such Act [this subpart] which—

"(i) is made with respect to a petition filed before the date that is 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 23, 1988], and

"(ii) would not have been made if the amendments made by subparagraph (A) [amending this section] had not been enacted into law,

shall apply to any worker whose most recent total or partial separation from the firm, or appropriate subdivision of the firm, described in section 222(a) of such Act [19 U.S.C. 2272(a)] occurs after September 30, 1985."