Z-0339.2

HOUSE BILL 1398

ByRepresentatives Dolan, Sells, Doglio, Ormsby, Valdez, Gregerson, Appleton, and Frame; by request of Employment Security Department

AN ACT Relating to the H-2A temporary agricultural program; adding a new chapter to Title 50 RCW; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

The legislature declares it to be in the public interest to clarify the state's role in the H-2A temporary agricultural program to provide adequate protections for foreign and domestic workers and provide education and outreach opportunities to help growers maintain the stable workforce they need.

(1) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the employment security department.

(2) "Department" means the employment security department.

(3) "Employer" has the same meaning as in 20 C.F.R. Sec. 655.103. "Employer" also includes a "fixed-site employer," as defined in 20 C.F.R. Sec. 655.103, and an employer in a "joint employment" relationship, as defined in 20 C.F.R. Sec. 655.103.

(4) "Field check" means an unannounced inspection and audit of an employer to determine and document whether the employer is providing wages, hours, and working and housing conditions as specified in the employer's approved H-2A application.

(5) "Field visit" means a scheduled visit to an employer's premises where H-2A workers work, live, and gather to discuss employment services and other employment-related programs with workers.

(6) "H-2A application" means an agricultural food processing clearance order form ETA 790 that describes the material terms and conditions of employment and is submitted in connection with a future application for temporary employment certification for H-2A workers to the United States department of labor under 20 C.F.R. Part 655, as amended.

(7) "H-2A worker" means any temporary foreign worker who is lawfully present in the United States to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature pursuant to Title 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the immigration and nationality act, as amended.

(8) "Office" means the office of H-2A compliance and farm labor established in section 3 of this act.

(2) The office has the following duties:

(a) Conduct field checks and field visits. When conducting a field check, the office shall coordinate, to the extent possible, with the department of labor and industries, department of health, and department of agriculture in order to limit disruption to agricultural employers and efficiently use government resources;

(b) Conduct training and outreach activities to employers using the H-2A temporary agricultural program to help increase awareness of law and regulations associated with the program and increase compliance; and

(c) Collect the fee established in section 4 of this act.

(2) An employer must pay a fee for each H-2A application submitted to the department and pay an additional fee per requested H-2A worker.

(a) The department shall:

(i) Formulate and adopt rules setting forth the amount of the fees it charges;

(ii) Annually readjust the fees through the formal rule-making process based on:

(A) An analysis of the costs incurred by the office to administer the H-2A program; and

(B) The amount of funds allocated by the federal government to administer the H-2A program;

(iii) Adopt the rule setting the annual fees by October 31st of each year, and the rule must stay in effect for the whole next calendar year; and

(iv) Hold the rule-making hearing to set the fees for calendar year 2020 during the month of September 2019.

(b) The structure of the fee must include:

(i) A scale with varied per worker fees at certain breakpoints to show consideration for economics of scale for larger requests;

(ii) Provisions for discounted rates for employers who have a track record of compliance with the requirements of the H-2A program; and

(iii) Other factors as determined by the department.

(c) The department may not set fees that are expected to result in revenues in any year in excess of the projected difference between the federal funds allocated and the costs to administer the H-2A program.

(3) The department shall make the most effective and efficient use of the fees collected under this section.

(1) Employer does not pay the fees established in section 4 of this act;

(2) Employer refuses to agree to be subject to field checks and field visits; or

(3) Department discontinued services to the employer pursuant to 20 C.F.R. Part 658, Subpart F and that discontinuation remains in effect.

(2) The committee is composed of nine members:

(a) Four members representing agricultural workers' interests in the H-2A temporary agricultural program: One of whom shall be a farmworker; and all of whom shall be appointed from a list of at least four names submitted by a recognized statewide organization of workers;

(b) Four members representing agricultural employers: One of whom shall be an agricultural employer; and all of whom shall be appointed from a list of at least four names submitted by a recognized statewide organization of agricultural employers; and

(c) One ex officio member, without a vote, shall represent the department and serve as the chair.

(3) The committee shall provide comment on department rule making, policies, implementation of this chapter, and initiatives, and study issues the committee determines require consideration.

(4) The committee shall submit a report to the governor and the legislature by October 31, 2021, that identifies and recommends approaches to increase the recruitment and hiring of domestic workers in agricultural employment in Washington. If deemed advisable by the committee, the report must include recommended changes to state law that would lead to increased recruitment and hiring of domestic workers in agricultural employment in Washington.

(5) The committee members shall serve without compensation, but are entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. The committee may utilize department personnel and facilities as it needs, without charge. All committee expenses must be paid by the H-2A enforcement account.

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