The "Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act of 2026" seeks to significantly modernize and streamline the H-2A temporary agricultural worker visa program. It transfers certain authorities from the Attorney General to the Secretary of Homeland Security and introduces a comprehensive online platform to manage the application and adjudication processes. This legislation aims to enhance efficiency for employers while also incorporating new protections and standards for H-2A workers. Key changes to the certification process include a requirement for the Secretary of Labor to make certification decisions within 30 days before work is needed, provided the employer meets criteria and lacks sufficient U.S. workers. Employers can establish job qualifications normal for the industry, and certifications may be valid for up to three years. Regarding housing, the bill mandates that employers provide housing meeting local, state, or federal health and safety standards, with inspections and certifications also valid for up to three years, and establishes a maximum daily charge for housing deductions from worker wages. The bill allows for staggered entry and exit of H-2A workers for a single job offer, accommodating varied labor needs, and creates a process for employers to seek subsequent employment periods for H-2A workers with expedited approval. Federal agencies are assigned specific roles: the Department of Homeland Security will prioritize petition adjudication, the Department of Labor will maintain an online job registry and expedite certification amendments, and the Department of State will prioritize visa issuance and may waive interviews for returning workers. The Department of Agriculture is tasked with defining "agricultural labor or services" and providing input on implementation. A new wage structure dictates that H-2A workers receive the highest of the collective bargaining wage, applicable minimum wage, or the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) , which will remain stable for the contract duration. The AEWR calculation will now use federal survey data, specifically the 17th percentile for entry-level and 50th percentile for experience-level occupations, with limitations on annual fluctuations. Furthermore, the bill significantly expands the definition of "agricultural labor or services" to include activities like aquaculture, equine management, and meat/poultry processing, and defines "temporary" work as less than 350 days. A new streamlined online H-2A platform will be established within one year, serving as a single point of access for employers to submit all required information and documentation. This platform aims to eliminate redundant processes, reduce errors, and facilitate communication between employers and agencies. Additional worker protections include mandatory heat illness prevention plans and provisions for force majeure termination , requiring employers to attempt worker transfers and notify authorities within 72 hours. The legislation also allows for the transfer of H-2A workers between eligible agricultural employers, with employment authorization continuing until a petition denial or withdrawal. It introduces waivers for certain grounds of inadmissibility and deportability for specific aliens who were unlawfully present but performed agricultural labor, enabling them to obtain H-2A status. Employers who provide records for these waiver applicants are protected from liability for prior unauthorized employment, provided the records are not fraudulent. Finally, the bill mandates a Government Accountability Office (GAO) review within two years to evaluate the availability and affordability of H-2A worker housing, challenges faced by employers, and the effectiveness of enforcement and federal assistance programs. The amendments made by this Act are set to take effect one year after its enactment, with the possibility of interim final rules to implement the changes.