BARN Act | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 6122Immigration

BARN Act

INTRO NOV 19· LAST ACTION NOV 19

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Passed Senate

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Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

Voters should care about this bill because it aims to directly address the labor challenges faced by American agriculture. If enacted, it could make it easier and faster for farmers to secure the workforce they need, potentially leading to more stable food production and lower costs. This is important for consumers who rely on a steady supply of affordable produce.

However, it also changes fundamental protections and compensation structures for the foreign workers who pick much of the nation's food. The cap on wages and the potential for housing allowances instead of direct housing could impact the living and working conditions of these laborers. Voters should consider how these changes balance the needs of agricultural businesses with the fair treatment and welfare of the workers essential to those businesses.

KEY PROVISIONS

5AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Transfers the administration of the H-2A program from the Department of Labor to the Department of Agriculture.

This aims to streamline the process by having an agency more familiar with agricultural needs manage the program.

PROVISION 02

Requires the Department of Agriculture to approve or deny H-2A applications within 15 days, with automatic approval if the deadline is missed.

This significantly speeds up the application process for farmers seeking temporary agricultural workers.

PROVISION 03

Caps the wage rate employers must pay H-2A workers at 115% of the highest federal or state minimum wage.

This sets a ceiling on labor costs for agricultural employers utilizing the H-2A program.

PROVISION 04

Eliminates the '50-percent rule' which required employers to hire domestic workers for at least half of the certified positions during part of the work period.

This removes a requirement for employers to offer jobs to domestic workers after H-2A workers have arrived.

PROVISION 05

Revises housing requirements, allowing states to certify that adequate housing is available, which would permit employers to offer a housing allowance instead of direct housing.

This provides flexibility for employers in meeting housing obligations for H-2A workers.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 0

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

NOV 19

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

NOV 19

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

HOUSE · INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 6122

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedNov 19, 2025

Last actionNov 19, 2025

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED NOV 19, 2025

House BillHR 6122Immigration

BARN Act

INTRODUCED NOV 19, 2025· LAST ACTION NOV 19, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

10 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps Congress.gov

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Transfers the administration of the H-2A program from the Department of Labor to the Department of Agriculture.

This aims to streamline the process by having an agency more familiar with agricultural needs manage the program.

high

Requires the Department of Agriculture to approve or deny H-2A applications within 15 days, with automatic approval if the deadline is missed.

This significantly speeds up the application process for farmers seeking temporary agricultural workers.

high

Caps the wage rate employers must pay H-2A workers at 115% of the highest federal or state minimum wage.

This sets a ceiling on labor costs for agricultural employers utilizing the H-2A program.

med

Eliminates the '50-percent rule' which required employers to hire domestic workers for at least half of the certified positions during part of the work period.

This removes a requirement for employers to offer jobs to domestic workers after H-2A workers have arrived.

med

Revises housing requirements, allowing states to certify that adequate housing is available, which would permit employers to offer a housing allowance instead of direct housing.

This provides flexibility for employers in meeting housing obligations for H-2A workers.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

within 15 days

Department of Agriculture review and determination on H-2A applications (with deemed approval if missed).

Not later than 28 days after receipt of request

Housing inspection conducted and follow-up scheduled by the Department of Agriculture.

30 days before the date of need

Deadline for employers to file H-2A applications.

1 year

Initial period of authorized H-2A nonimmigrant status.

up to 1 year

Maximum extension period for H-2A nonimmigrant status.

2 months

Period an H-2A nonimmigrant must depart the U.S. before re-applying after a full 2-year stay.

60 days or more

Work lapse period after which an H-2A nonimmigrant's visa is revoked.

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

TYPE	AMOUNT	WHO
administrative	Visa revoked, required to depart from the United States	H-2A nonimmigrant alien who has a work lapse period of 60 days or more

GLOSSARY

AI-written

H-2A program: A federal program that allows U.S. agricultural employers to bring foreign nationals to the U.S. to fill temporary or seasonal agricultural jobs.
Nonimmigrant agricultural workers: Foreign workers who are authorized to enter the U.S. temporarily to perform farm labor, typically under the H-2A visa program, and are not seeking permanent residency.
Secretary of Agriculture: The head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a federal agency that oversees farming, food, and rural development.
Secretary of Labor: The head of the U.S. Department of Labor, a federal agency that enforces labor laws and protects workers' rights.
Deemed Approval: A legal concept where an application or request is automatically considered approved if the reviewing agency fails to make a decision within a specified timeframe.
50-percent rule: A previous requirement in the H-2A program that obligated employers to hire qualified U.S. workers for at least half of the certified H-2A positions during the first 50 percent of the H-2A contract period.
Work lapse period: A continuous period of time when an H-2A worker is not employed in an authorized H-2A job.

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

NOV 19, 25

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

NOV 19, 25

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

INTROREFERRAL

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BARN Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

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ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

BARN Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

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