119 S5301 IS: Voice for Farm Workers Act U.S. Senate 2026-08-06 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II119th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 5301IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESAugust 6, 2026Mr. Padilla (for himself, Ms. Warren, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Markey, Mr. Booker, Mr. Wyden, Mrs. Gillibrand, and Mr. Luján) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and ForestryA BILLTo amend the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to reauthorize the position of Farmworker Coordinator.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Voice for Farm Workers Act.

2.

Farmworker Coordinator

Section 226B(f) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934(f)) is amended—(1)in paragraph (2)—(A)in subparagraph (B), by striking organizations and inserting organizations, institutions of higher education, and local educational agencies;(B)in subparagraph (E), by striking institutions on research, program improvements, or agricultural education opportunities and inserting institutions or community-based nonprofit organizations on research, program improvements, agricultural education opportunities, or technical skills and job training programs; and(C)by adding at the end the following:(G)Assessing the effectiveness with respect to farmworkers of Department outreach programs.(H)Developing and implementing a plan to coordinate outreach activities and services provided by the Department with respect to farmworkers.(I)Collaborating with and providing input on programmatic and policy decisions relating to farmworkers to the agencies and offices of the Department, including—(i)the Farm Service Agency;(ii)the Natural Resources Conservation Service;(iii)the rural development mission area;(iv)the National Institute of Food and Agriculture;(v)the Food and Nutrition Service;(vi)the Agricultural Marketing Service;(vii)the Forest Service;(viii)the National Agricultural Statistics Service; and(ix)any other agency or office that the Coordinator determines to be appropriate. (J)Communicating to employers of farmworkers, and publicizing on the website of the Department, information about Federal programs for which the employees of those employers may be eligible.(K)Identifying research priorities and evaluating programs to strengthen workforce stability, agricultural productivity, and rural economic resilience to inform the research activities of the Department relating to farmworkers.(L)Measuring and analyzing outcomes of the programs and activities of the Department on farmworkers.(M)Recommending new initiatives and programs to the Secretary.(N)Carrying out any other related duties that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.;(2)by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4);(3)by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:(3)

Staff

The Secretary, acting through the Coordinator, shall employ such staff as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out the duties described in paragraph (2).; and(4)in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), in subparagraph (B), by striking 2023 and inserting 2031.