Bill · S. 4249· Senate(119-S-4249)
FARM Stability Act
- Introduced
- 3/26/2026
- Last activity
- 3/26/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Ted Budd
- Cosponsors
- - 9 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "FARM Stability Act," seeks to change how H-2A worker wages are handled. It authorizes the Secretary of Labor to establish a 2-tiered wage system that distinguishes between entry-level and experience-level workers. This system would classify jobs as either Skill Level I or Skill Level II. For those at Skill Level II, the bill requires a higher wage rate than Skill Level I. Additionally, the bill instructs the Secretary to establish a compensation adjustment factor to account for the value of provided housing.
Yes· 3 of 5
Would immigrants be better off under this?+5
The bill allows H-2A workers to receive higher wages based on their specific skill levels and experience.
Does this raise the lowest wage an employer may pay?+5
The bill establishes a tiered wage system that allows for higher pay rates for experienced H-2A workers.
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?+4
The bill implements a wage structure that recognizes skill and experience for H-2A workers.
The opposite
Would farmers be better off under this?-2
The bill mandates a structured, two-tiered wage system that may increase labor costs for agricultural employers.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Higher wages for experienced workers: The bill allows for a higher wage rate for workers classified as Skill Level II, who possess formal education, training certificates, or significant experience in agricultural operations (Section 2, Subparagraph A).
-
Recognition of housing value: The bill creates a process to account for the value of housing provided to H-2A workers through a compensation adjustment factor (Section 2, Subparagraph B).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Wage limitations based on housing: The compensation adjustment factor used to account for the value of housing must be kept at or below 30 percent of the established wage rate (Section 2, Subparagraph B, iii).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Immigrants+5Good For Hispanic Americans+4Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Farmers-2
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Minimum Wage+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Pathway To Citizenship+1
- 4/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/26/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
John BoozmanRepublican · Arkansas
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Lindsey GrahamRepublican · South Carolina
Cindy Hyde-SmithRepublican · Mississippi
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
Pete RickettsRepublican · Nebraska
Tim ScottRepublican · South Carolina
Thomas TillisRepublican · North Carolina
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi