US Congress House Bill 707 (Prior Session Legislation)

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Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: Introduced on February 14 2013 - 25% progression, died in committee
Action: 2013-04-08 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration And Border Security.
Pending: House Subcommittee on Immigration And Border Security Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]

Short Term Retention for Agricultural Workers Act of 2013 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to rename H-2A nonimmigrant temporary agricultural workers as STRAW workers. Includes dairy or ranch workers in such category. Eliminates the 50% rule requiring employers to agree to accept all qualified U.S. workers until 50% of the certified employment period has been completed. Provides that an employer shall not be required to pay a wage rate greater than the greatest of the federal, state, and local minimum wage rates. Prohibits the Legal Services Corporation from providing legal assistance for any alien and prohibits providing financial assistance to any person or entity that provides legal assistance for any alien, unless: (1) the alien is present in the United States when the legal assistance is provided, and (2) the parties to the dispute have attempted mediation or other non-binding dispute resolution of all issues. Sets forth STRAW worker provisions regarding housing and length of U.S. stay. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide each nonimmigrant agricultural worker with an identification card that contains: (1) an encrypted, machine-readable, electronic identification strip that is unique to such alien; (2) biometric identifiers, including fingerprints and a digital photograph; and (3) physical security features designed to prevent tampering, counterfeiting, or duplication. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a trust fund to pay for: (1) program administration and enforcement, (2) identification card costs, (3) monetary incentives for nonimmigrant agricultural workers to return to their country of origin, and (4) emergency medical services furnished to such workers. Provides for the payment of specified funds into the trust fund from employers and worker wage deductions.

Short Term Retention for Agricultural Workers Act of 2013

Rep. Eric Crawford [R-AR]

Rep. Austin Scott [R-GA]

Date	Chamber	Action
2013-04-08	House	Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration And Border Security.
2013-02-15	House	Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
2013-02-14	House	Referred to House Energy and Commerce
2013-02-14	House	Referred to House Education and the Workforce
2013-02-14	House	Referred to House Judiciary
2013-02-14	House	Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and Energy and Commerce, 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.

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/707/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr707/BILLS-113hr707ih.pdf