FARM Stability Act
Sponsored By: Senator Budd, Ted [R-NC]
Introduced
Summary
A two-tiered wage structure for H-2A agricultural workers. The bill would let the Secretary of Labor annually set Skill Level I and Skill Level II wages when a rate above the Federal or State minimum is needed, and add a housing-value compensation adjustment tied to Department of Housing and Urban Development four-bedroom fair market rents, capped at 30% of the applicable wage.
Show full summary
- Workers: H-2A workers would be classified as Skill Level I (entry) or Skill Level II (experienced or credentialed) and paid higher rates for Skill Level II.
- Employers: Farm employers would face annual wage rates set by the Secretary when higher-than-minimum wages are required and must convert housing value into an hourly compensation adjustment.
- States and regional pay: The housing adjustment would use the weighted statewide average of HUD four-bedroom fair market rents, so the extra hourly amount would vary by state.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Higher wages and housing value for H-2A
This bill would let the Secretary of Labor set state-specific minimum wage rates for H-2A farmworkers when a higher rate is needed. It would require a two-tier wage system: Skill Level I for entry jobs and Skill Level II for experienced or credentialed jobs. Skill Level II pay would be higher than Skill Level I and the Secretary would set these rates each year. The bill would also convert HUD's statewide average fair market rent for a 4-bedroom unit into an hourly housing-value compensation adjustment. That housing adjustment would be applied to the wage but kept at or below 30 percent of the applicable state wage. Farms that hire H-2A workers could face higher labor costs if these changes are made.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Budd, Ted [R-NC]
NC • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]
SC • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Cindy Hyde-Smith
MS • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
John Boozman
AR • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
ID • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]
NE • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
WY • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Roger Wicker
MS • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov