Legis Daily

SEASONAL Act

USA118th CongressS-2705| Senate 
| Updated: 7/27/2023
John Thune

John Thune

Republican Senator

South Dakota

Cosponsors (5)
Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)Pete Ricketts (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
State Executive Authority for Seasonal Occupations Needing Additional Labor Act or the SEASONAL Act This bill authorizes additional H-2B (temporary nonagricultural worker) visas to be issued to employers in a state with unmet labor needs. (H-2B visas are subject to an annual numerical cap.) Under the bill, a state may request a particular number of H-2B visas if (1) employers have requested visas in excess of the numerical cap for that fiscal year, and (2) a state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has been 3.5% or less (in 9 of the most recent 12 quarters). The state must also certify that (1) there is a persistent, unmet need for labor within the state, an occupational category, or an Economic Development District; and (2) the additional H-2B visas will not displace existing members of the state’s workforce or negatively affect average wages. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must issue the additional H-2B visas upon receiving a request that complies with this bill's requirements, to the extent that the receiving employers meet all the applicable requirements for such visas. Additionally, the bill requires DHS and the Department of Labor to annually report to Congress specified data about the bill's implementation, including the number of additional visas issued to each state. The bill sunsets four years after its enactment.
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Timeline
Jul 27, 2023
Introduced in Senate
Jul 27, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S3766-3767)
  • July 27, 2023
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 27, 2023
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S3766-3767)

Immigration

SEASONAL Act

USA118th CongressS-2705| Senate 
| Updated: 7/27/2023
State Executive Authority for Seasonal Occupations Needing Additional Labor Act or the SEASONAL Act This bill authorizes additional H-2B (temporary nonagricultural worker) visas to be issued to employers in a state with unmet labor needs. (H-2B visas are subject to an annual numerical cap.) Under the bill, a state may request a particular number of H-2B visas if (1) employers have requested visas in excess of the numerical cap for that fiscal year, and (2) a state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has been 3.5% or less (in 9 of the most recent 12 quarters). The state must also certify that (1) there is a persistent, unmet need for labor within the state, an occupational category, or an Economic Development District; and (2) the additional H-2B visas will not displace existing members of the state’s workforce or negatively affect average wages. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must issue the additional H-2B visas upon receiving a request that complies with this bill's requirements, to the extent that the receiving employers meet all the applicable requirements for such visas. Additionally, the bill requires DHS and the Department of Labor to annually report to Congress specified data about the bill's implementation, including the number of additional visas issued to each state. The bill sunsets four years after its enactment.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jul 27, 2023
Introduced in Senate
Jul 27, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S3766-3767)
  • July 27, 2023
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 27, 2023
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S3766-3767)
John Thune

John Thune

Republican Senator

South Dakota

Cosponsors (5)
Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)Pete Ricketts (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

Immigration

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted