Temporary Agricultural Labor Reform Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-3604
Sponsor: Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6]
Introduced: 2003-11-21 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Admission of nonimmigrants
Agricultural labor
Agriculture and Food
Alien labor
Aliens
Animals
Commuting
Crime and Law Enforcement
Criminal aliens
Criminal justice information
Data banks
Department of Agriculture
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Labor
Disaster relief
Disasters
Dismissal of employees
Emergency Management
Employee rights
Executive reorganization
Fines (Penalties)
Fraud
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Housing and Community Development
Identification devices
Identification of criminals
Illegal aliens
Labor and Employment
Labor contracts
Law
Minimum wages
Ombudsman
Relocation
Science, Technology, Communications
Seasonal labor
Sheep
Temporary employment
Transfer of employees
Transportation and Public Works
Travel costs
Visas
Wage restitution
Wages

Summary:
action_date: 2003-11-21
text: 
Temporary Agricultural Labor Reform Act of 2003 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise employer and employee association application requirements for admission of H-2A temporary agricultural workers, including assurances: (1) that the job opportunity is temporary or seasonal, and is not the result of a labor dispute; (2) that attempts have been made to hire U.S. workers; (3) respecting wages and benefits, and labor law compliance; (4) respecting nondisplacement of U.S. workers; and (5) respecting limitations on placement with other employers. 
 
Revises related provisions respecting: (1) penalties; and (2) admissions and extensions of stay. Provides special provisions for alien sheepherders.
 
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to H-2A employers for the transportation costs of workers whose employment is cut short by natural disaster; and (2) direct the Secretary to establish an H-2A Worker Program Ombudsman within the Office of the Chief Economist of the Department of Agriculture.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-12-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims.
action_date: 2003-12-10
text: Executive Comment Requested from USDA.
action_date: 2003-11-23
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2449)
action_date: 2003-11-21
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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.
action_date: 2003-11-21
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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.
action_date: 2003-11-21
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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.
action_date: 2003-11-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-11-21
text: Introduced in House