ALCC has two big items to share with you today: the return of the H-2B returning worker exemption and a last call to register for our virtual advocacy event next week.

First, read the announcement from the H-2B Workforce Coalition:

Take Action Today to #Save H2B

Reps. Cuellar (S-TX), Keating (D-MA), Pingree (D-ME), Joyce (R-OH), Chabot (R-OH) and Harris (R-MD) just introduced the “H-2B Returning Worker Exception Act,” which would create a permanent H-2B returning worker cap exemption and include some program efficiency and integrity measures.  The H-2B Workforce Coalition is grateful for their efforts, but to turn this proposal into law, we need your help today.

Please do the following to help garner support for this important legislation:

• Call your Representative and ask him or her to cosponsor the “H-2B Returning Worker Exception Act.”  You can reach your Representative using this contact list for Colorado. Explain the importance of cap relief to your business and your U.S. workers.  Please also mention that the bill includes important program integrity measures, including increasing enforcement and penalties against employers that knowingly violate the law. 
• If your Representative is one of the original sponsors of the legislation -- Reps. Keating, Pingree, Joyce, Chabot, and Harris – please call and say thank you. Do not call if you are not a constituent!
• Call your two Senators and ask them to express support for “H-2B Returning Worker Exception Act.” Explain that you would like to see this important legislation introduced in the Senate because of the importance of cap relief to your business and your U.S. Workers. Please also mention that the bill includes important program integrity measures, including increasing enforcement and penalties against employers that knowingly violate the law.
• Email your elected officials using the link below provided by the National Association of Landscape Professionals.  Once you click on the link, you can automatically send a pre-drafted email to your elected officials in the Senate and the House urging their support to this vital H-2B reform legislation.

EMAIL YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE NOW!

Additional Background

The bill would do the following:

• Exempt from the 66,000 annual H-2B cap workers who have been admitted to work in the United States on an H-2B visa during one of the past three fiscal years;
• Require the Departments of Labor (DOL), Homeland Security (DHS) and State to create a single on-line filing portal that would eliminate the need to express mail paper documents;
• Require DOL to maintain an online jobs registry;
• Include some program integrity measures and increase the maximum penalties that could be levied against employers who willingly and repeatedly violate the program’s requirements. 
• Address misconduct by foreign recruiters and strengthen workers safety standards for H-2B employees while in the United States. 

Second, I urge you to participate in next week's virtual meetings with Colorado representatives:

Colorado Representative Virtual Meetings, Tuesday, June 22, 7AM - 3PM (potentially 12PM)
In lieu of meeting with our Colorado representatives in person during the traditional July “fly-ins” that NALP has arranged in the past, ALCC will be coordinating Zoom calls on their behalf instead. While I would encourage you to still register with NALP for Legislative Days 2021 Virtual, please let me know if you are planning to attend. The day is scheduled from 7AM to 3PM, but my goal is to schedule the meetings tightly and I hope to shorten the day to 7AM to 12PM if possible.

Please let usknow if you plan to attend the Colorado delegation meetings. Email us or call 303 757-5611.