Bills · S 2571
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 2571Labor and Employment
Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act of 2025
INTRO JUL 31· LAST ACTION JUL 31
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it addresses a critical and growing public health and safety issue for a vulnerable segment of the workforce. As climate change leads to more frequent and intense wildfires and heat waves, outdoor workers, especially farmworkers, face serious health risks, including heatstroke, respiratory damage, and even death. If this bill becomes law, it would establish a national baseline of protection, ensuring that farmworkers across the country have basic safeguards against these environmental dangers, regardless of state-specific regulations.
If the bill doesn't pass, protections for farmworkers against smoke and excessive heat would remain inconsistent or non-existent in many areas, leaving these workers more exposed to severe health risks. This bill highlights the direct impact of climate change on worker safety and health, making it relevant to discussions about labor rights, environmental protection, and public health policies in an era of increasing extreme weather events.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes an initial occupational safety standard requiring agricultural employers to provide N95/N100 respirators for wildfire smoke and water/cooling facilities for excessive heat when conditions are dangerous.
This provision immediately mandates crucial protective equipment and resources for farmworkers facing hazardous smoke and heat conditions.
PROVISION 02
Requires mandatory use of protective equipment and mandatory 10-minute rest breaks every two hours in shaded/cooler/less smoky areas when air quality or heat levels are extremely dangerous.
This ensures active protection and necessary recovery time for workers during the most severe environmental hazards, preventing serious health issues.
PROVISION 03
Mandates agricultural employers to provide training and education materials in a language understood by farmworkers on how to use protective equipment and understand health impacts of smoke and heat.
Effective training ensures workers know how to protect themselves and recognize warning signs, making the provided equipment and breaks more impactful.
PROVISION 04
Directs the Secretary of Labor to begin creating a permanent occupational safety and health standard within 90 days, providing at least the same protection as the initial standard and no less than the most protective state standard.
This ensures a comprehensive, long-term, and potentially stronger federal framework for farmworker protection is developed.
PROVISION 05
Requires the Department of Labor to provide technical assistance and develop sample training materials for employers to help them meet the new safety requirements.
This supports employers in complying with the new rules, facilitating smoother implementation and better outcomes for workers.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
D· Oregon
YRS IN OFFICE
17
BILLS LED
128
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 1 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJUL 31
Introduced in Senate
JUL 31
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 2571
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJul 31, 2025
Last actionJul 31, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, AND PENSIONS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUL 31, 2025
Senate BillS 2571Labor and Employment
Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act of 2025
INTRODUCED JUL 31, 2025· LAST ACTION JUL 31, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
6 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
