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HCR 65

CONGRESS: Memorializes the United States Congress, the President of the United States, the United States Department of Labor, the United States Department of Homeland Security, and the Louisiana Congressional Delegation to take all necessary and appropriate actions to reclassify all job duties of the crawfish industry as agricultural labor services for purposes of the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rhonda Butler and 1 co-sponsor

Urges federal reclassification of all crawfish industry duties as agricultural labor under H-2A to enable timely use of the program for seasonal crawfish labor.

Read by title, returned to the calendar.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HCR 65

Summary: HCR 65 (Louisiana) – 2026 Session

Topic

Memorializes federal authorities to reclassify crawfish industry job duties as agricultural labor services for the purposes of the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers Program.

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill seeks to secure federal action to reclassify all job duties performed in the Louisiana crawfish industry (including harvesting, processing, handling, weighing, washing, grading, tagging, packaging, freezing, and related activities) as agricultural labor services.
  • The goal is to enable crawfish producers and processors to use the H-2A program to meet seasonal labor needs without relying solely on the H-2B program, which has limits and processing delays.

Key Provisions

  • The Louisiana Legislature memorializes and urges:
    • The United States Congress
    • The President of the United States
    • The United States Department of Labor (DOL)
    • The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
    • The Louisiana Congressional Delegation to take all necessary and appropriate actions to reclassify all crawfish industry job duties as agricultural labor services under the H-2A program.
  • The requested reclassification should involve revisions to federal statutes, regulations, or administrative interpretations as needed to enable immediate use of the H-2A program by Louisiana crawfish producers and processors.
  • The resolution emphasizes:
    • The crawfish industry as a major economic and cultural component of Louisiana
    • The seasonal and labor-intensive nature of crawfish production
    • The drawbacks of the current H-2B framework (caps, unpredictability, processing delays) and the need for a stable, legal, dependable seasonal workforce via H-2A
    • The importance of timely processing of H-2A visas to meet the 2026 crawfish season
  • The resolution calls for expeditious action and even “emergency measures” to ensure timely visa processing.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Primary beneficiaries:
    • Louisiana crawfish farmers, processors, and related rural economic actors who rely on seasonal labor
  • Indirectly affected:
    • U.S. workers and wages (as per the H-2A framework, which includes wage standards and protections)
    • Federal agencies (DOL, DHS) and the federal rulemaking process if the reclassification requires changes to statutes or regulations
    • The Louisiana Congressional Delegation and federal policymakers

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • This is a concurrent resolution, not a bill that creates new law.
  • It serves as a formal request to federal authorities to pursue a reclassification under the H-2A program.
  • The resolution urges that reclassification be done expeditiously and with emergency measures to address the 2026 crawfish season.
  • Copy transmission: The resolution would be sent to the President, the U.S. Secretaries of Labor and Homeland Security, Senate leaders, House leaders, and Louisiana’s congressional delegation.

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • If federal action occurs as urged, crawfish industry employers could potentially hire H-2A workers for a broader set of duties deemed agricultural, reducing reliance on the H-2B program and alleviating labor shortages during peak seasons.
  • This could affect costs, compliance, housing/transportation provisions under H-2A, wage requirements, and processing timelines.
  • The resolution frames the change as essential to the vitality of Louisiana’s crawfish economy and rural communities.

Sponsor

  • Primary: Representative Butler
  • Co-sponsor: Rhonda Butler

Notes: This document is a memorializing resolution, not enacted law. It expresses legislative intent and urges federal action.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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