FARM Stability Act

The Farmworker Access and Retention Modernization (FARM) Stability Act aims to stabilize labor costs for the agricultural industry by changing how wages are calculated for temporary foreign workers under the H-2A visa program. The bill proposes to codify a two-tiered wage structure that distinguishes between entry-level and experienced workers. Under this system, the Secretary of Labor would be authorized to set different annual wage rates based on these skill levels, potentially providing farmers with more predictable labor expenses.

Additionally, the legislation would establish a compensation adjustment factor to account for the value of housing that farmers provide to their H-2A workers. This adjustment would be calculated using regional fair market rent data and would be capped at 30 percent of the established wage rate. By formalizing these rules into law, the bill aims to prevent sudden fluctuations in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) and provide agricultural producers with greater financial certainty when planning for future growing seasons.