A bill to exempt public school employees from non-processing related fees for H-1B visas imposed by Presidential Proclamation 10973.

This bill, if enacted, would exempt public school employees from the $100,000 fee that employers must pay for certain H-1B visa petitions under Presidential Proclamation 10973. The proclamation, signed in September 2025, requires employers to pay $100,000 for new H-1B visa petitions filed on behalf of foreign nationals seeking to work in specialty occupations outside the United States.

Public schools that hire foreign teachers and other specialized workers currently face this substantial fee when sponsoring H-1B visas. The bill would provide relief from this fee requirement specifically for public school employees, potentially making it more affordable for school districts to hire foreign language teachers, specialized instructors, and other skilled workers needed to fill staffing gaps. This could help address teacher shortages and allow schools to recruit qualified international educators without the significant additional cost imposed by the proclamation.

The bill is currently under consideration by the Senate Judiciary Committee and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.