NACo endorses bipartisan legislation to reform agricultural workforce program

Key Takeaways

On June 30, House Agriculture Chairman G.T. Thompson (R-Pa.-15), along with 49 co-sponsors, including Reps. Don Davis (D-N.C.-01) and Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.-04), introduced the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act of 2026 (H.R.9535). This bipartisan legislation would reform the H-2A guestworker visa program, strengthening American agriculture with a more reliable workforce. 

What the bill does

• Streamlines the program through a single online application system, faster processing and reduced administrative burdens
• Expands program flexibility by allowing agricultural workers to remain for up to 350 days, permitting multi-year certifications and enabling worker transfers and staggered entry/exit dates
• Improves affordability and predictability for employers by limiting H-2A fees to program costs and allowing more flexibility in housing and operational requirements
• Establishes a new wage methodology that uses federal survey data and caps annual Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) increases and decreases to prevent sudden fluctuations
• Strengthens worker protections by maintaining recruitment requirements for U.S. workers and requiring housing, health and heat-safety standards for employees

Why the bill matters for counties

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of many county economies, and counties are on the front lines of supporting farmers and farmworkers through infrastructure investments, public services and local economic development efforts. Yet many counties, particularly rural ones, continue to struggle with persistent labor shortages that threaten agricultural operations and broader economic stability.

Updating the H-2A program would provide employers with a more dependable workforce solution while preserving key protections for workers. Strengthening the agricultural labor pipeline helps sustain local businesses, preserve jobs and ensure farming remains a viable economic driver in counties nationwide.

NACo endorses the bipartisan Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act and will continue advocating for federal policies that promote a strong agricultural workforce and vibrant county economies.