THE SAVE OUR SMALL AND SEASONAL BUSINESSES ACT OF 2009

Introduction

On February 5, 2009 Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA)  introduced the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2009 (S. 388) to provide cap relief for those using the H-2B Visa program. On February 23, 2009, Representative Bart Stupak (D-MI) introduced companion legislation (H.R.1136) in the House of Representatives.

Background

The H-2B worker program is used to employ aliens in non-agricultural positions in many industries, including the horse industry, who work at racetracks, horse shows, fairs and similar non-agricultural activities. 

Currently, there is a cap of 66,000 on the number of H-2B visas that can be issued annually.  Each year, once it has received enough petitions to meet the year’s Congressionally-mandated cap of 66,000, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not accept any more petitions for H-2B foreign workers for the Fiscal Year.  This cap is reached very quickly each year, this year the cap was reached on January 7th. 

Senate Bill

 The Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2009 (S. 388) will exempt from the cap workers who have received a visa under the H-2B program in any of the three previous fiscal years.  This exemption for returning workers will expire three years from the date this bill is enacted.

Senate Action

This bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. 

House Bill

The Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2009 (H.R.1136) will exempt from the cap workers who have received a visa under the H-2B program in any of the three previous fiscal years.  This bill would “take effect as if enacted on October 1, 2008”, the exemption for returning workers will expire three years from that date.  This enactment date is the only difference between the House and Senate versions of this bill.

House Action

This bill has been referred the House Committee on the Judiciary.

AHC Position

The AHC supports this legislation.