[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 14562-14577]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3547. Mr. AKAKA submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2062, to amend the procedures that apply to 
consideration of interstate class actions to assure fairer outcomes for 
class members and defendants, and for other purposes; which was ordered 
to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 26 strike line 24 and insert the following of this 
     act:

                  TITLE __--NATIVE HAWAIIAN GOVERNMENT

     SEC. __01. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Native Hawaiian Government 
     Reorganization Act of 2004''.

     SEC. __02. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) the Constitution vests Congress with the authority to 
     address the conditions of the indigenous, native people of 
     the United States;
       (2) Native Hawaiians, the native people of the Hawaiian 
     archipelago that is now part of the United States, are 
     indigenous, native people of the United States;
       (3) the United States has a special political and legal 
     responsibility to promote the welfare of the native people of 
     the United States, including Native Hawaiians;
       (4) under the treaty making power of the United States, 
     Congress exercised its constitutional authority to confirm 
     treaties between the United States and the Kingdom of Hawaii, 
     and from 1826 until 1893, the United States--
       (A) recognized the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Hawaii;
       (B) accorded full diplomatic recognition to the Kingdom of 
     Hawaii; and
       (C) entered into treaties and conventions with the Kingdom 
     of Hawaii to govern commerce and navigation in 1826, 1842, 
     1849, 1875, and 1887;
       (5) pursuant to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920 (42 
     Stat. 108, chapter 42), the United States set aside 
     approximately 203,500 acres of land to address the conditions 
     of Native Hawaiians in the Federal territory that later 
     became the State of Hawaii;
       (6) by setting aside 203,500 acres of land for Native 
     Hawaiian homesteads and farms, the Hawaiian Homes Commission 
     Act assists the members of the Native Hawaiian community in 
     maintaining distinct native settlements throughout the State 
     of Hawaii;
       (7) approximately 6,800 Native Hawaiian families reside on 
     the Hawaiian Home Lands and approximately 18,000 Native 
     Hawaiians who are eligible to reside on the Hawaiian Home 
     Lands are on a waiting list to receive assignments of 
     Hawaiian Home Lands;
       (8)(A) in 1959, as part of the compact with the United 
     States admitting Hawaii into the Union, Congress established 
     a public trust (commonly known as the ``ceded lands trust''), 
     for 5 purposes, 1 of which is the betterment of the 
     conditions of Native Hawaiians;
       (B) the public trust consists of lands, including submerged 
     lands, natural resources, and the revenues derived from the 
     lands; and
       (C) the assets of this public trust have never been 
     completely inventoried or segregated;
       (9) Native Hawaiians have continuously sought access to the 
     ceded lands in order to establish and maintain native 
     settlements and distinct native communities throughout the 
     State;
       (10) the Hawaiian Home Lands and other ceded lands provide 
     an important foundation for the ability of the Native 
     Hawaiian community to maintain the practice of Native 
     Hawaiian culture, language, and traditions, and for the 
     survival and economic self-sufficiency of the Native Hawaiian 
     people;
       (11) Native Hawaiians continue to maintain other distinctly 
     native areas in Hawaii;
       (12) on November 23, 1993, Public Law 103-150 (107 Stat. 
     1510) (commonly known as the ``Apology Resolution'') was 
     enacted into law, extending an apology on behalf of the 
     United States to the native people of Hawaii for the United 
     States' role in the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii;
       (13) the Apology Resolution acknowledges that the overthrow 
     of the Kingdom of Hawaii occurred with the active 
     participation of agents and citizens of the United States and 
     further acknowledges that the Native Hawaiian people never 
     directly relinquished to the United States their claims to 
     their inherent sovereignty as a people over their national 
     lands, either through the Kingdom of Hawaii or through a 
     plebiscite or referendum;
       (14) the Apology Resolution expresses the commitment of 
     Congress and the President--
       (A) to acknowledge the ramifications of the overthrow of 
     the Kingdom of Hawaii;
       (B) to support reconciliation efforts between the United 
     States and Native Hawaiians; and
       (C) to consult with Native Hawaiians on the reconciliation 
     process as called for in the Apology Resolution;
       (15) despite the overthrow of the government of the Kingdom 
     of Hawaii, Native Hawaiians have continued to maintain their 
     separate identity as a distinct native community through 
     cultural, social, and political institutions, and to give 
     expression to their rights as native people to self-
     determination, self-governance, and economic self-
     sufficiency;
       (16) Native Hawaiians have also given expression to their 
     rights as native people to self-determination, self-
     governance, and economic self-sufficiency--
       (A) through the provision of governmental services to 
     Native Hawaiians, including the provision of--
       (i) health care services;
       (ii) educational programs;
       (iii) employment and training programs;
       (iv) economic development assistance programs;
       (v) children's services;
       (vi) conservation programs;
       (vii) fish and wildlife protection;
       (viii) agricultural programs;
       (ix) native language immersion programs;
       (x) native language immersion schools from kindergarten 
     through high school;
       (xi) college and master's degree programs in native 
     language immersion instruction;

[[Page 14563]]

       (xii) traditional justice programs, and
       (B) by continuing their efforts to enhance Native Hawaiian 
     self-determination and local control;
       (17) Native Hawaiians are actively engaged in Native 
     Hawaiian cultural practices, traditional agricultural 
     methods, fishing and subsistence practices, maintenance of 
     cultural use areas and sacred sites, protection of burial 
     sites, and the exercise of their traditional rights to gather 
     medicinal plants and herbs, and food sources;
       (18) the Native Hawaiian people wish to preserve, develop, 
     and transmit to future generations of Native Hawaiians their 
     lands and Native Hawaiian political and cultural identity in 
     accordance with their traditions, beliefs, customs and 
     practices, language, and social and political institutions, 
     to control and manage their own lands, including ceded lands, 
     and to achieve greater self-determination over their own 
     affairs;
       (19) this title provides a process within the framework of 
     Federal law for the Native Hawaiian people to exercise their 
     inherent rights as a distinct, indigenous, native community 
     to reorganize a Native Hawaiian governing entity for the 
     purpose of giving expression to their rights as native people 
     to self-determination and self-governance;
       (20) Congress--
       (A) has declared that the United States has a special 
     responsibility for the welfare of the native peoples of the 
     United States, including Native Hawaiians;
       (B) has identified Native Hawaiians as a distinct group of 
     indigenous, native people of the United States within the 
     scope of its authority under the Constitution, and has 
     enacted scores of statutes on their behalf; and
       (C) has delegated broad authority to the State of Hawaii to 
     administer some of the United States' responsibilities as 
     they relate to the Native Hawaiian people and their lands;
       (21) the United States has recognized and reaffirmed the 
     special political and legal relationship with the Native 
     Hawaiian people through the enactment of the Act entitled, 
     ``An Act to provide for the admission of the State of Hawaii 
     into the Union'', approved March 18, 1959 (Public Law 86-3; 
     73 Stat. 4), by--
       (A) ceding to the State of Hawaii title to the public lands 
     formerly held by the United States, and mandating that those 
     lands be held as a public trust for 5 purposes, 1 of which is 
     for the betterment of the conditions of Native Hawaiians; and
       (B) transferring the United States' responsibility for the 
     administration of the Hawaiian Home Lands to the State of 
     Hawaii, but retaining the authority to enforce the trust, 
     including the exclusive right of the United States to consent 
     to any actions affecting the lands that comprise the corpus 
     of the trust and any amendments to the Hawaiian Homes 
     Commission Act, 1920 (42 Stat. 108, chapter 42) that are 
     enacted by the legislature of the State of Hawaii affecting 
     the beneficiaries under the Act;
       (22) the United States has continually recognized and 
     reaffirmed that--
       (A) Native Hawaiians have a cultural, historic, and land-
     based link to the aboriginal, indigenous, native people who 
     exercised sovereignty over the Hawaiian Islands;
       (B) Native Hawaiians have never relinquished their claims 
     to sovereignty or their sovereign lands;
       (C) the United States extends services to Native Hawaiians 
     because of their unique status as the indigenous, native 
     people of a once-sovereign nation with whom the United States 
     has a political and legal relationship; and
       (D) the special trust relationship of American Indians, 
     Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians to the United States 
     arises out of their status as aboriginal, indigenous, native 
     people of the United States; and
       (23) the State of Hawaii supports the reaffirmation of the 
     political and legal relationship between the Native Hawaiian 
     governing entity and the United States as evidenced by 2 
     unanimous resolutions enacted by the Hawaii State Legislature 
     in the 2000 and 2001 sessions of the Legislature and by the 
     testimony of the Governor of the State of Hawaii before the 
     Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate on February 25, 
     2003.

     SEC. __03. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Aboriginal, indigenous, native people.--The term 
     ``aboriginal, indigenous, native people'' means people whom 
     Congress has recognized as the original inhabitants of the 
     lands that later became part of the United States and who 
     exercised sovereignty in the areas that later became part of 
     the United States.
       (2) Adult member.--The term ``adult member'' means a Native 
     Hawaiian who has attained the age of 18 and who elects to 
     participate in the reorganization of the Native Hawaiian 
     governing entity.
       (3) Apology resolution.--The term ``Apology Resolution'' 
     means Public Law 103-150, (107 Stat. 1510), a Joint 
     Resolution extending an apology to Native Hawaiians on behalf 
     of the United States for the participation of agents of the 
     United States in the January 17, 1893 overthrow of the 
     Kingdom of Hawaii.
       (4) Commission.--The term ``commission'' means the 
     Commission established under section __07(b) to provide for 
     the certification that those adult members of the Native 
     Hawaiian community listed on the roll meet the definition of 
     Native Hawaiian set forth in section __03(8).
       (5) Council.--The term ``council'' means the Native 
     Hawaiian Interim Governing Council established under section 
     __07(c)(2).
       (6) Indigenous, native people.--The term ``indigenous, 
     native people'' means the lineal descendants of the 
     aboriginal, indigenous, native people of the United States.
       (7) Interagency coordinating group.--The term ``Interagency 
     Coordinating Group'' means the Native Hawaiian Interagency 
     Coordinating Group established under section __06.
       (8) Native hawaiian.--For the purpose of establishing the 
     roll authorized under section __07(c)(1) and before the 
     reaffirmation of the political and legal relationship between 
     the United States and the Native Hawaiian governing entity, 
     the term ``Native Hawaiian'' means--
       (A) an individual who is one of the indigenous, native 
     people of Hawaii and who is a direct lineal descendant of the 
     aboriginal, indigenous, native people who--
       (i) resided in the islands that now comprise the State of 
     Hawaii on or before January 1, 1893; and
       (ii) occupied and exercised sovereignty in the Hawaiian 
     archipelago, including the area that now constitutes the 
     State of Hawaii; or
       (B) an individual who is one of the indigenous, native 
     people of Hawaii and who was eligible in 1921 for the 
     programs authorized by the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act (42 
     Stat. 108, chapter 42) or a direct lineal descendant of that 
     individual.
       (9) Native hawaiian governing entity.--The term ``Native 
     Hawaiian Governing Entity'' means the governing entity 
     organized by the Native Hawaiian people pursuant to this 
     title.
       (10) Office.--The term ``Office'' means the United States 
     Office for Native Hawaiian Relations established under 
     section __05(a).
       (11) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Department of the Interior.

     SEC. __04. UNITED STATES POLICY AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Policy.--The United States reaffirms that--
       (1) Native Hawaiians are a unique and distinct, indigenous, 
     native people with whom the United States has a special 
     political and legal relationship;
       (2) the United States has a special political and legal 
     relationship with the Native Hawaiian people which includes 
     promoting the welfare of Native Hawaiians;
       (3) Congress possesses the authority under the 
     Constitution, including but not limited to Article I, section 
     8, clause 3, to enact legislation to address the conditions 
     of Native Hawaiians and has exercised this authority through 
     the enactment of--
       (A) the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920 (42 Stat. 108, 
     chapter 42);
       (B) the Act entitled ``An Act to provide for the admission 
     of the State of Hawaii into the Union'', approved March 18, 
     1959 (Public Law 86-3, 73 Stat. 4); and
       (C) more than 150 other Federal laws addressing the 
     conditions of Native Hawaiians;
       (4) Native Hawaiians have--
       (A) an inherent right to autonomy in their internal 
     affairs;
       (B) an inherent right of self-determination and self-
     governance;
       (C) the right to reorganize a Native Hawaiian governing 
     entity; and
       (D) the right to become economically self-sufficient; and
       (5) the United States shall continue to engage in a process 
     of reconciliation and political relations with the Native 
     Hawaiian people.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this title is to provide a 
     process for the reorganization of the Native Hawaiian 
     governing entity and the reaffirmation of the political and 
     legal relationship between the United States and the Native 
     Hawaiian governing entity for purposes of continuing a 
     government-to-government relationship.

     SEC. __05. UNITED STATES OFFICE FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN 
                   RELATIONS.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established within the Office 
     of the Secretary of the United States Office for Native 
     Hawaiian Relations.
       (b) Duties.--The Office shall--
       (1) continue the process of reconciliation with the Native 
     Hawaiian people in furtherance of the Apology Resolution;
       (2) upon the reaffirmation of the political and legal 
     relationship between the Native Hawaiian governing entity and 
     the United States, effectuate and coordinate the special 
     political and legal relationship between the Native Hawaiian 
     governing entity and the United States through the Secretary, 
     and with all other Federal agencies;
       (3) fully integrate the principle and practice of 
     meaningful, regular, and appropriate consultation with the 
     Native Hawaiian governing entity by providing timely notice 
     to, and consulting with, the Native Hawaiian people and the 
     Native Hawaiian governing entity before taking any actions 
     that may have the potential to significantly affect Native 
     Hawaiian resources, rights, or lands;
       (4) consult with the Interagency Coordinating Group, other 
     Federal agencies, the

[[Page 14564]]

     Governor of the State of Hawaii and relevant agencies of the 
     State of Hawaii on policies, practices, and proposed actions 
     affecting Native Hawaiian resources, rights, or lands; and
       (5) prepare and submit to the Committee on Indian Affairs 
     and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
     Senate, the Committee on Resources of the House of 
     Representatives, an annual report detailing the activities of 
     the Interagency Coordinating Group that are undertaken with 
     respect to the continuing process of reconciliation and to 
     effect meaningful consultation with the Native Hawaiian 
     governing entity and providing recommendations for any 
     necessary changes to Federal law or regulations promulgated 
     under the authority of Federal law.

     SEC. __06. NATIVE HAWAIIAN INTERAGENCY COORDINATING GROUP.

       (a) Establishment.--In recognition that Federal programs 
     authorized to address the conditions of Native Hawaiians are 
     largely administered by Federal agencies other than the 
     Department of the Interior, there is established an 
     interagency coordinating group to be known as the ``Native 
     Hawaiian Interagency Coordinating Group''.
       (b) Composition.--The Interagency Coordinating Group shall 
     be composed of officials, to be designated by the President, 
     from--
       (1) each Federal agency that administers Native Hawaiian 
     programs, establishes or implements policies that affect 
     Native Hawaiians, or whose actions may significantly or 
     uniquely impact Native Hawaiian resources, rights, or lands; 
     and
       (2) the Office.
       (c) Lead Agency.--
       (1) In general.--The Department of the Interior shall serve 
     as the lead agency of the Interagency Coordinating Group.
       (2) Meetings.--The Secretary shall convene meetings of the 
     Interagency Coordinating Group.
       (d) Duties.--The Interagency Coordinating Group shall--
       (1) coordinate Federal programs and policies that affect 
     Native Hawaiians or actions by any agency or agencies of the 
     Federal Government that may significantly or uniquely affect 
     Native Hawaiian resources, rights, or lands;
       (2) ensure that each Federal agency develops a policy on 
     consultation with the Native Hawaiian people, and upon the 
     reaffirmation of the political and legal relationship between 
     the Native Hawaiian governing entity and the United States, 
     consultation with the Native Hawaiian governing entity; and
       (3) ensure the participation of each Federal agency in the 
     development of the report to Congress authorized in section 
     __05(b)(5).

     SEC. __07. PROCESS FOR THE REORGANIZATION OF THE NATIVE 
                   HAWAIIAN GOVERNING ENTITY AND THE REAFFIRMATION 
                   OF THE POLITICAL AND LEGAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN 
                   THE UNITED STATES AND THE NATIVE HAWAIIAN 
                   GOVERNING ENTITY.

       (a) Recognition of the Native Hawaiian Governing Entity.--
     The right of the Native Hawaiian people to reorganize the 
     Native Hawaiian governing entity to provide for their common 
     welfare and to adopt appropriate organic governing documents 
     is recognized by the United States.
       (b) Commission.--
       (1) In general.--There is authorized to be established a 
     Commission to be composed of nine members for the purposes 
     of--
       (A) preparing and maintaining a roll of the adult members 
     of the Native Hawaiian community who elect to participate in 
     the reorganization of the Native Hawaiian governing entity; 
     and
       (B) certifying that the adult members of the Native 
     Hawaiian community proposed for inclusion on the roll meet 
     the definition of Native Hawaiian in section __03(8).
       (2) Membership.--
       (A) Appointment.--Within 180 days of the date of enactment 
     of this Act, the Secretary shall appoint the members of the 
     Commission in accordance with subclause (B). Any vacancy on 
     the Commission shall not affect its powers and shall be 
     filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
       (B) Requirements.--The members of the Commission shall be 
     Native Hawaiian, as defined in section __03(8), and shall 
     have expertise in the determination of Native Hawaiian 
     ancestry and lineal descendancy.
       (3) Expenses.--Each member of the Commission shall be 
     allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
     subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
     under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
     Code, while away from their homes or regular places of 
     business in the performance of services for the Commission.
       (4) Duties.--The Commission shall--
       (A) prepare and maintain a roll of the adult members of the 
     Native Hawaiian community who elect to participate in the 
     reorganization of the Native Hawaiian governing entity; and
       (B) certify that each of the adult members of the Native 
     Hawaiian community proposed for inclusion on the roll meet 
     the definition of Native Hawaiian in section __03(8).
       (5) Staff.--
       (A) In general.--The Commission may, without regard to the 
     civil service laws (including regulations), appoint and 
     terminate an executive director and such other additional 
     personnel as are necessary to enable the Commission to 
     perform the duties of the Commission.
       (B) Compensation.--
       (i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), the 
     Commission may fix the compensation of the executive director 
     and other personnel without regard to the provisions of 
     chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, 
     United States Code, relating to classification of positions 
     and General Schedule pay rates.
       (ii) Maximum rate of pay.--The rate of pay for the 
     executive director and other personnel shall not exceed the 
     rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under 
     section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.
       (6) Detail of federal government employees.--
       (A) In general.--An employee of the Federal Government may 
     be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement.
       (B) Civil service status.--The detail of the employee shall 
     be without interruption or loss of civil service status or 
     privilege.
       (7) Procurement of temporary and intermittent services.--
     The Commission may procure temporary and intermittent 
     services in accordance with section 3109(b) of title 5, 
     United States Code, at rates for individuals that do not 
     exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay 
     prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule under 
     section 5316 of that title.
       (8) Expiration.--The Secretary shall dissolve the 
     Commission upon the reaffirmation of the political and legal 
     relationship between the Native Hawaiian governing entity and 
     the United States.
       (c) Process for the Reorganization of the Native Hawaiian 
     Governing Entity.--
       (1) Roll.--
       (A) Contents.--The roll shall include the names of the 
     adult members of the Native Hawaiian community who elect to 
     participate in the reorganization of the Native Hawaiian 
     governing entity and are certified to be Native Hawaiian as 
     defined in section __03(8) by the Commission.
       (B) Formation of roll.--Each adult member of the Native 
     Hawaiian community who elects to participate in the 
     reorganization of the Native Hawaiian governing entity shall 
     submit to the Commission documentation in the form 
     established by the Commission that is sufficient to enable 
     the Commission to determine whether the individual meets the 
     definition of Native Hawaiian in section __03(8).
       (C) Documentation.--The Commission shall--
       (i) identify the types of documentation that may be 
     submitted to the Commission that would enable the Commission 
     to determine whether an individual meets the definition of 
     Native Hawaiian in section __03(8);
       (ii) establish a standard format for the submission of 
     documentation; and
       (iii) publish information related to subclauses (i) and 
     (ii) in the Federal Register;
       (D) Consultation.--In making determinations that each of 
     the adult members of the Native Hawaiian community proposed 
     for inclusion on the roll meets the definition of Native 
     Hawaiian in section __03(8), the Commission may consult with 
     Native Hawaiian organizations, agencies of the State of 
     Hawaii including but not limited to the Department of 
     Hawaiian Home Lands, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the 
     State Department of Health, and other entities with expertise 
     and experience in the determination of Native Hawaiian 
     ancestry and lineal descendancy.
       (E) Certification and submittal of roll to secretary.--The 
     Commission shall--
       (i) submit the roll containing the names of the adult 
     members of the Native Hawaiian community who meet the 
     definition of Native Hawaiian in section __03(8) to the 
     Secretary within two years from the date on which the 
     Commission is fully composed; and
       (ii) certify to the Secretary that each of the adult 
     members of the Native Hawaiian community proposed for 
     inclusion on the roll meets the definition of Native Hawaiian 
     in section __03(8).
       (F) Publication.--Upon certification by the Commission to 
     the Secretary that those listed on the roll meet the 
     definition of Native Hawaiian in section __03(8), the 
     Secretary shall publish the roll in the Federal Register.
       (G) Appeal.--The Secretary may establish a mechanism for an 
     appeal for any person whose name is excluded from the roll 
     who claims to meet the definition of Native Hawaiian in 
     section __03(8) and to be 18 years of age or older.
       (H) Publication; update.--The Secretary shall--
       (i) publish the roll regardless of whether appeals are 
     pending;
       (ii) update the roll and the publication of the roll on the 
     final disposition of any appeal;
       (iii) update the roll to include any Native Hawaiian who 
     has attained the age of 18 and who has been certified by the 
     Commission as meeting the definition of Native Hawaiian in 
     section __03(8) after the initial publication of the roll or 
     after any subsequent publications of the roll.
       (I) Failure to act.--If the Secretary fails to publish the 
     roll, not later than 90 days after the date on which the roll 
     is submitted to the Secretary, the Commission shall publish 
     the roll notwithstanding any order or directive issued by the 
     Secretary or any other

[[Page 14565]]

     official of the Department of the Interior to the contrary.
       (J) Effect of publication.--The publication of the initial 
     and updated roll shall serve as the basis for the eligibility 
     of adult members of the Native Hawaiian community whose names 
     are listed on those rolls to participate in the 
     reorganization of the Native Hawaiian governing entity.
       (2) Organization of the native hawaiian interim governing 
     council.--
       (A) Organization.--The adult members of the Native Hawaiian 
     community listed on the roll published under this section 
     may--
       (i) develop criteria for candidates to be elected to serve 
     on the Native Hawaiian Interim Governing Council;
       (ii) determine the structure of the Council; and
       (iii) elect members from individuals listed on the roll 
     published under this subsection to the Council.
       (B) Powers.--
       (i) In general.--The Council--

       (I) may represent those listed on the roll published under 
     this section in the implementation of this title; and
       (II) shall have no powers other than powers given to the 
     Council under this title.

       (ii) Funding.--The Council may enter into a contract with, 
     or obtain a grant from, any Federal or State agency to carry 
     out clause (iii).
       (iii) Activities.--

       (I) In general.--The Council may conduct a referendum among 
     the adult members of the Native Hawaiian community listed on 
     the roll published under this subsection for the purpose of 
     determining the proposed elements of the organic governing 
     documents of the Native Hawaiian governing entity, including 
     but not limited to--

       (aa) the proposed criteria for citizenship of the Native 
     Hawaiian governing entity;
       (bb) the proposed powers and authorities to be exercised by 
     the Native Hawaiian governing entity, as well as the proposed 
     privileges and immunities of the Native Hawaiian governing 
     entity;
       (cc) the proposed civil rights and protection of the rights 
     of the citizens of the Native Hawaiian governing entity and 
     all persons affected by the exercise of governmental powers 
     and authorities of the Native Hawaiian governing entity; and
       (dd) other issues determined appropriate by the Council.

       (II) Development of organic governing documents.--Based on 
     the referendum, the Council may develop proposed organic 
     governing documents for the Native Hawaiian governing entity.
       (III) Distribution.--The Council may distribute to all 
     adult members of the Native Hawaiian community listed on the 
     roll published under this subsection--

       (aa) a copy of the proposed organic governing documents, as 
     drafted by the Council; and
       (bb) a brief impartial description of the proposed organic 
     governing documents;

       (IV) Elections.--The Council may hold elections for the 
     purpose of ratifying the proposed organic governing 
     documents, and on certification of the organic governing 
     documents by the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (4), 
     hold elections of the officers of the Native Hawaiian 
     governing entity pursuant to paragraph (5).

       (3) Submittal of organic governing documents.--Following 
     the reorganization of the Native Hawaiian governing entity 
     and the adoption of organic governing documents, the Council 
     shall submit the organic governing documents of the Native 
     Hawaiian governing entity to the Secretary.
       (4) Certifications.--
       (A) In general.--Within the context of the future 
     negotiations to be conducted under the authority of section 
     __08(b)(1), and the subsequent actions by the Congress and 
     the State of Hawaii to enact legislation to implement the 
     agreements of the three governments, not later than 90 days 
     after the date on which the Council submits the organic 
     governing documents to the Secretary, the Secretary shall 
     certify that the organic governing documents--
       (i) establish the criteria for citizenship in the Native 
     Hawaiian governing entity;
       (ii) were adopted by a majority vote of the adult members 
     of the Native Hawaiian community whose names are listed on 
     the roll published by the Secretary;
       (iii) provide authority for the Native Hawaiian governing 
     entity to negotiate with Federal, State, and local 
     governments, and other entities;
       (iv) provide for the exercise of governmental authorities 
     by the Native Hawaiian governing entity, including any 
     authorities that may be delegated to the Native Hawaiian 
     governing entity by the United States and the State of Hawaii 
     following negotiations authorized in section __08(b)(1) and 
     the enactment of legislation to implement the agreements of 
     the three governments;
       (v) prevent the sale, disposition, lease, or encumbrance of 
     lands, interests in lands, or other assets of the Native 
     Hawaiian governing entity without the consent of the Native 
     Hawaiian governing entity;
       (vi) provide for the protection of the civil rights of the 
     citizens of the Native Hawaiian governing entity and all 
     persons affected by the exercise of governmental powers and 
     authorities by the Native Hawaiian governing entity; and
       (vii) are consistent with applicable Federal law and the 
     special political and legal relationship between the United 
     States and the indigenous, native people of the United 
     States; provided that the provisions of Public Law 103-454, 
     25 U.S.C. 479a, shall not apply.
       (B) Resubmission in case of noncompliance with the 
     requirements of subparagraph (A).--
       (i) Resubmission by the secretary.--If the Secretary 
     determines that the organic governing documents, or any part 
     of the documents, do not meet all of the requirements set 
     forth in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall resubmit the 
     organic governing documents to the Council, along with a 
     justification for each of the Secretary's findings as to why 
     the provisions are not in full compliance.
       (ii) Amendment and resubmission of organic governing 
     documents.--If the organic governing documents are 
     resubmitted to the Council by the Secretary under clause (i), 
     the Council shall--

       (I) amend the organic governing documents to ensure that 
     the documents meet all the requirements set forth in 
     subparagraph (A); and
       (II) resubmit the amended organic governing documents to 
     the Secretary for certification in accordance with this 
     paragraph.

       (C) Certifications deemed made.--The certifications under 
     paragraph (4) shall be deemed to have been made if the 
     Secretary has not acted within 90 days after the date on 
     which the Council has submitted the organic governing 
     documents of the Native Hawaiian governing entity to the 
     Secretary.
       (5) Elections.--On completion of the certifications by the 
     Secretary under paragraph (4), the Council may hold elections 
     of the officers of the Native Hawaiian governing entity.
       (6) Reaffirmation.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, upon the certifications required under paragraph (4) and 
     the election of the officers of the Native Hawaiian governing 
     entity, the political and legal relationship between the 
     United States and the Native Hawaiian governing entity is 
     hereby reaffirmed and the United States extends Federal 
     recognition to the Native Hawaiian governing entity as the 
     representative governing body of the Native Hawaiian people.

     SEC. __08. REAFFIRMATION OF DELEGATION OF FEDERAL AUTHORITY; 
                   NEGOTIATIONS; CLAIMS.

       (a) Reaffirmation.--The delegation by the United States of 
     authority to the State of Hawaii to address the conditions of 
     the indigenous, native people of Hawaii contained in the Act 
     entitled ``An Act to provide for the admission of the State 
     of Hawaii into the Union'' approved March 18, 1959 (Public 
     Law 86-3, 73 Stat. 5), is reaffirmed.
       (b) Negotiations.--
       (1) In general.--Upon the reaffirmation of the political 
     and legal relationship between the United States and the 
     Native Hawaiian governing entity, the United States and the 
     State of Hawaii may enter into negotiations with the Native 
     Hawaiian governing entity designed to lead to an agreement 
     addressing such matters as--
       (A) the transfer of lands, natural resources, and other 
     assets, and the protection of existing rights related to such 
     lands or resources;
       (B) the exercise of governmental authority over any 
     transferred lands, natural resources, and other assets, 
     including land use;
       (C) the exercise of civil and criminal jurisdiction;
       (D) the delegation of governmental powers and authorities 
     to the Native Hawaiian governing entity by the United States 
     and the State of Hawaii; and
       (E) any residual responsibilities of the United States and 
     the State of Hawaii.
       (2) Amendments to existing laws.--Upon agreement on any 
     matter or matters negotiated with the United States, the 
     State of Hawaii, and the Native Hawaiian governing entity, 
     the parties shall submit--
       (A) to the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate, the 
     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, and 
     the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives, 
     recommendations for proposed amendments to Federal law that 
     will enable the implementation of agreements reached between 
     the three governments; and
       (B) to the Governor and the legislature of the State of 
     Hawaii, recommendations for proposed amendments to State law 
     that will enable the implementation of agreements reached 
     between the three governments.
       (c) Claims.--
       (1) In general.--Nothing in this title serves as a 
     settlement of any claim against the United States.
       (2) Statute of limitations.--Any claim against the United 
     States arising under Federal law that--
       (A) is in existence on the date of enactment of this Act;
       (B) is asserted by the Native Hawaiian governing entity on 
     behalf of the Native Hawaiian people; and
       (C) relates to the legal and political relationship between 
     the United States and the Native Hawaiian people;

     shall be brought in the court of jurisdiction over such 
     claims not later than 20 years

[[Page 14566]]

     after the date on which Federal recognition is extended to 
     the Native Hawaiian governing entity under section 
     __07(c)(6).

     SEC. __09. APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN FEDERAL LAWS.

       (a) Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.--Nothing in this title 
     shall be construed to authorize the Native Hawaiian governing 
     entity to conduct gaming activities under the authority of 
     the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.).
       (b) Bureau of Indian Affairs.--Nothing contained in this 
     title provides an authorization for eligibility to 
     participate in any programs and services provided by the 
     Bureau of Indian Affairs for any persons not otherwise 
     eligible for the programs or services.

     SEC. __10. SEVERABILITY.

       If any section or provision of this title is held invalid, 
     it is the intent of Congress that the remaining sections or 
     provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

     SEC. __11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
     necessary to carry out this title.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3548. Mr. FRIST proposed an amendment to the bill S. 2062, to 
amend the procedures that apply to consideration of interstate class 
actions to assure fairer outcomes for class members and defendants, and 
for other purposes; as follows:

       At the end, add the following:

     SEC. 10. FURTHER EFFECTIVE DATE.

       The amendments made by this act shall apply to any civil 
     action commenced one day after or any day thereafter the date 
     of enactment of this act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3549. Mr. FRIST proposed an amendment to amendment SA 3548 
proposed by Mr. Frist to the bill S. 2062, to amend the procedures that 
apply to consideration of interstate class actions to assure fairer 
outcomes for class members and defendants, and for other purposes; as 
follows:

       On line 3 of the amendment, strike ``one day'' and insert:
       ``Two days''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3550. Mr. FRIST proposed an amendment to the bill S. 2062, to 
amend the procedures that apply to consideration of interstate class 
actions to assure fairer outcomes for class members and defendants, and 
for other purposes; as follows:

       At the end of the bill add:

     SEC. 10. FURTHER EFFECTIVE DATE.

       The amendments made by this act shall apply to any civil 
     action commenced three days after or any day thereafter the 
     date of enactment of this act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3551. Mr. FRIST proposed an amendment to amendment SA 3550 
proposed by Mr. Frist to the bill S. 2062, to amend the procedures that 
apply to consideration of interstate class actions to assure fairer 
outcomes for class members and defendants, and for other purposes; as 
follows:

       Online 3 of the amendment, strike ``three'' and insert 
     ``four''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3552. Mr. CRAIG submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2062, to amend the procedures that apply to 
consideration of interstate class actions to assure fairer outcomes for 
class members and defendants, and for other purposes; which was ordered 
to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end, add the following:

                         TITLE II--IMMIGRATION

     SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This title may be cited as the 
     ``Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 
     2004''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this 
     title is as follows:

Sec. 201. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 202. Definitions.

                Subtitle A--Adjustment to Lawful Status

Sec. 211. Agricultural workers.
Sec. 212. Correction of Social Security records.

               Subtitle B--Reform of H-2A Worker Program

Sec. 221. Amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act.

                  Subtitle C--Miscellaneous Provisions

Sec. 231. Determination and use of user fees.
Sec. 232. Regulations.
Sec. 233. Effective date.

     SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Agricultural employment.--The term ``agricultural 
     employment'' means any service or activity that is considered 
     to be agricultural under section 3(f) of the Fair Labor 
     Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(f)) or agricultural 
     labor under section 3121(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986 (26 U.S.C. 3121(g)). For purposes of this paragraph, 
     agricultural employment includes employment under section 
     101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
     (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a)).
       (2) Employer.--The term ``employer'' means any person or 
     entity, including any farm labor contractor and any 
     agricultural association, that employs workers in 
     agricultural employment.
       (3) Job opportunity.--The term ``job opportunity'' means a 
     job opening for temporary full-time employment at a place in 
     the United States to which United States workers can be 
     referred.
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Homeland Security.
       (5) Temporary.--A worker is employed on a ``temporary'' 
     basis where the employment is intended not to exceed 10 
     months.
       (6) United states worker.--The term ``United States 
     worker'' means any worker, whether a United States citizen or 
     national, a lawfully admitted permanent resident alien, or 
     any other alien, who is authorized to work in the job 
     opportunity within the United States, except an alien 
     admitted or otherwise provided status under section 
     101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
     (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a)).
       (7) Work day.--The term ``work day'' means any day in which 
     the individual is employed 1 or more hours in agriculture 
     consistent with the definition of ``man-day'' under section 
     3(u) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 
     203(u)).

                Subtitle A--Adjustment to Lawful Status

     SEC. 211. AGRICULTURAL WORKERS.

       (a) Temporary Resident Status.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the Secretary shall confer upon an alien who qualifies 
     under this subsection the status of an alien lawfully 
     admitted for temporary residence if the Secretary determines 
     that the following requirements are satisfied with respect to 
     the alien:
       (A) Performance of agricultural employment in the united 
     states.--The alien must establish that the alien entered the 
     United States at least two years prior to the date of 
     enactment of this Act and has performed agricultural 
     employment in the United States for at least 575 hours or 100 
     work days, whichever is less, during any 12 consecutive 
     months during the 18-month period ending on August 31, 2003.
       (B) Application period.--The alien must apply for such 
     status during the 18-month application period beginning on 
     the 1st day of the 7th month that begins after the date of 
     enactment of this title.
       (C) Admissible as immigrant.--The alien must establish that 
     the alien is otherwise admissible to the United States under 
     section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1182), except as otherwise provided under subsection (e)(2).
       (2) Authorized travel.--During the period an alien is in 
     lawful temporary resident status granted under this 
     subsection, the alien has the right to travel abroad 
     (including commutation from a residence abroad) in the same 
     manner as an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
       (3) Authorized employment.--During the period an alien is 
     in lawful temporary resident status granted under this 
     subsection, the alien shall be provided an ``employment 
     authorized'' endorsement or other appropriate work permit, in 
     the same manner as an alien lawfully admitted for permanent 
     residence.
       (4) Termination of temporary resident status.--During the 
     period of temporary resident status granted an alien under 
     this subsection, the Secretary may terminate such status only 
     upon a determination under this title that the alien is 
     deportable.
       (5) Record of employment.--
       (A) In general.--Each employer of a worker granted status 
     under this subsection shall annually--
       (i) provide a written record of employment to the alien; 
     and
       (ii) provide a copy of such record to the Secretary.
       (B) Sunset.--The obligation under subparagraph (A) 
     terminates on August 31, 2009.
       (b) Rights of Aliens Granted Temporary Resident Status.--
       (1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
     subsection, an alien who acquires the status of an alien 
     lawfully admitted for temporary residence under subsection 
     (a), such status not having changed, shall be considered to 
     be an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence for 
     purposes of any law other than any provision of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
       (2) Eligibility for federal means-tested public benefits.--
       (A) Delayed eligibility.--An alien who acquires the status 
     of an alien lawfully admitted for temporary residence under 
     subsection (a) as described in paragraph (1) shall not be 
     eligible for any Federal means-tested public benefit by 
     reason of the acquisition of such status until 5 years after 
     the date on which the Secretary confers such status upon that 
     alien under such subsection.
       (B) Federal means-tested public benefit defined.--In this 
     paragraph, the term ``Federal means-tested public benefit'' 
     means a form of assistance or benefit covered by section 
     403(a) of the Personal Responsibility and

[[Page 14567]]

     Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 
     1613(a)).
       (3) Terms of employment respecting aliens admitted under 
     this section.--
       (A) Prohibition.--No alien granted status under subsection 
     (a) may be terminated from employment by any employer during 
     the period of temporary resident status except for just 
     cause.
       (B) Treatment of complaints.--
       (i) Establishment of process.--The Secretary shall 
     establish a process for the receipt, initial review, and 
     disposition in accordance with this subparagraph of 
     complaints by aliens granted temporary resident status under 
     subsection (a) who allege that they have been terminated 
     without just cause. No proceeding shall be conducted under 
     this subparagraph with respect to a termination unless the 
     Secretary determines that the complaint was filed not later 
     than 6 months after the date of the termination.
       (ii) Initiation of arbitration.--If the Secretary finds 
     that a complaint has been filed in accordance with clause (i) 
     and there is reasonable cause to believe that the complainant 
     was terminated without just cause, the Secretary shall 
     initiate binding arbitration proceedings by requesting the 
     Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to appoint a 
     mutually agreeable arbitrator from the roster of arbitrators 
     maintained by such Service for the geographical area in which 
     the employer is located. The procedures and rules of such 
     Service shall be applicable to the selection of such 
     arbitrator and to such arbitration proceedings. The Secretary 
     shall pay the fee and expenses of the arbitrator, subject to 
     the availability of appropriations for such purpose.
       (iii) Arbitration proceedings.--The arbitrator shall 
     conduct the proceeding in accordance with the policies and 
     procedures promulgated by the American Arbitration 
     Association applicable to private arbitration of employment 
     disputes. The arbitrator shall make findings respecting 
     whether the termination was for just cause. The arbitrator 
     may not find that the termination was for just cause unless 
     the employer so demonstrates by a preponderance of the 
     evidence. If the arbitrator finds that the termination was 
     not for just cause, the arbitrator shall make a specific 
     finding of the number of days or hours of work lost by the 
     employee as a result of the termination. The arbitrator shall 
     have no authority to order any other remedy, including, but 
     not limited to, reinstatement, back pay, or front pay to the 
     affected employee. Within 30 days from the conclusion of the 
     arbitration proceeding, the arbitrator shall transmit the 
     findings in the form of a written opinion to the parties to 
     the arbitration and the Secretary. Such findings shall be 
     final and conclusive, and no official or court of the United 
     States shall have the power or jurisdiction to review any 
     such findings.
       (iv) Effect of arbitration findings.--If the Secretary 
     receives a finding of an arbitrator that an employer has 
     terminated an alien granted temporary resident status under 
     subsection (a) without just cause, the Secretary shall credit 
     the alien for the number of days or hours of work lost for 
     purposes of the requirement of subsection (c)(1).
       (v) Treatment of attorney's fees.--The parties shall bear 
     the cost of their own attorney's fees involved in the 
     litigation of the complaint.
       (vi) Nonexclusive remedy.--The complaint process provided 
     for in this subparagraph is in addition to any other rights 
     an employee may have in accordance with applicable law.
       (vii) Effect on other actions or proceedings.--Any finding 
     of fact or law, judgment, conclusion, or final order made by 
     an arbitrator in the proceeding before the Secretary shall 
     not be conclusive or binding in any separate or subsequent 
     action or proceeding between the employee and the employee's 
     current or prior employer brought before an arbitrator, 
     administrative agency, court, or judge of any State or the 
     United States, regardless of whether the prior action was 
     between the same or related parties or involved the same 
     facts, except that the arbitrator's specific finding of the 
     number of days or hours of work lost by the employee as a 
     result of the employment termination may be referred to the 
     Secretary pursuant to clause (iv).
       (C) Civil penalties.--
       (i) In general.--If the Secretary finds, after notice and 
     opportunity for a hearing, that an employer of an alien 
     granted temporary resident status under subsection (a) has 
     failed to provide the record of employment required under 
     subsection (a)(5) or has provided a false statement of 
     material fact in such a record, the employer shall be subject 
     to a civil money penalty in an amount not to exceed $1,000 
     per violation.
       (ii) Limitation.--The penalty applicable under clause (i) 
     for failure to provide records shall not apply unless the 
     alien has provided the employer with evidence of employment 
     authorization granted under this section.
       (c) Adjustment to Permanent Residence.--
       (1) Agricultural workers.--
       (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     the Secretary shall adjust the status of an alien granted 
     lawful temporary resident status under subsection (a) to that 
     of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence if the 
     Secretary determines that the following requirements are 
     satisfied:
       (i) Qualifying employment.--The alien has performed at 
     least 360 work days or 2,060 hours, but in no case less than 
     2,060 hours, of agricultural employment in the United States, 
     during the period beginning on September 1, 2003, and ending 
     on August 31, 2009.
       (ii) Qualifying years.--The alien has performed at least 75 
     work days or 430 hours, but in no case less than 430 hours, 
     of agricultural employment in the United States in at least 3 
     nonoverlapping periods of 12 consecutive months during the 
     period beginning on September 1, 2003, and ending on August 
     31, 2009. Qualifying periods under this clause may include 
     nonconsecutive 12-month periods.
       (iii) Qualifying work in first 3 years.--The alien has 
     performed at least 240 work days or 1,380 hours, but in no 
     case less than 1,380 hours, of agricultural employment during 
     the period beginning on September 1, 2003, and ending on 
     August 31, 2006.
       (iv) Application period.--The alien applies for adjustment 
     of status not later than August 31, 2010.
       (v) Proof.--In meeting the requirements of clauses (i), 
     (ii), and (iii), an alien may submit the record of employment 
     described in subsection (a)(5) or such documentation as may 
     be submitted under subsection (d)(3).
       (vi) Disability.--In determining whether an alien has met 
     the requirements of clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), the 
     Secretary shall credit the alien with any work days lost 
     because the alien was unable to work in agricultural 
     employment due to injury or disease arising out of and in the 
     course of the alien's agricultural employment, if the alien 
     can establish such disabling injury or disease through 
     medical records.
       (B) Grounds for denial of adjustment of status.--The 
     Secretary may deny an alien adjustment to permanent resident 
     status, and provide for termination of the temporary resident 
     status granted such alien under subsection (a), if--
       (i) the Secretary finds by a preponderance of the evidence 
     that the adjustment to temporary resident status was the 
     result of fraud or willful misrepresentation, as described in 
     section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(6)(C)(i)); or
       (ii) the alien--

       (I) commits an act that makes the alien inadmissible to the 
     United States under section 212 of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182), except as provided under 
     subsection (e)(2); or
       (II) is convicted of a felony or 3 or more misdemeanors 
     committed in the United States; or

       (III) is convicted of a single misdemeanor for which the 
     actual sentence served was 6 months or more.
       (C) Grounds for removal.--Any alien granted temporary 
     resident status under subsection (a) who does not apply for 
     adjustment of status under this subsection before the 
     expiration of the application period described in 
     subparagraph (A)(iv), or who fails to meet the other 
     requirements of subparagraph (A) by the end of the applicable 
     period, is deportable and may be removed under section 240 of 
     the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1229a). The 
     Secretary shall issue regulations establishing grounds to 
     waive subparagraph (A)(iii) with respect to an alien who has 
     completed at least 200 days of the work requirement specified 
     in such subparagraph in the event of a natural disaster which 
     substantially limits the availability of agricultural 
     employment or a personal emergency that prevents compliance 
     with such subparagraph.
       (2) Spouses and minor children.--
       (A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the Secretary shall confer the status of lawful 
     permanent resident on the spouse and minor child of an alien 
     granted status under paragraph (1), including any individual 
     who was a minor child on the date such alien was granted 
     temporary resident status, if the spouse or minor child 
     applies for such status, or if the principal alien includes 
     the spouse or minor child in an application for adjustment of 
     status to that of a lawful permanent resident.
       (B) Treatment of spouses and minor children prior to 
     adjustment of status.--A spouse and minor child of an alien 
     granted temporary resident status under subsection (a) may 
     not be--
       (i) removed while such alien maintains such status; and
       (ii) granted authorization to engage in employment in the 
     United States or be provided an ``employment authorized'' 
     endorsement or other work permit, unless such employment 
     authorization is granted under another provision of law.
       (d) Applications.--
       (1) To whom may be made.--
       (A) Within the united states.--The Secretary shall provide 
     that--
       (i) applications for temporary resident status under 
     subsection (a) may be filed--

       (I) with the Secretary, but only if the applicant is 
     represented by an attorney; or
       (II) with a qualified designated entity (designated under 
     paragraph (2)), but only if the applicant consents to the 
     forwarding of the application to the Secretary; and

       (ii) applications for adjustment of status under subsection 
     (c) shall be filed directly with the Secretary.

[[Page 14568]]

       (B) Outside the united states.--The Secretary, in 
     cooperation with the Secretary of State, shall establish a 
     procedure whereby an alien may apply for temporary resident 
     status under subsection (a) at an appropriate consular office 
     outside the United States.
       (C) Preliminary applications.--
       (i) In general.--During the application period described in 
     subsection (a)(1)(B), the Secretary may grant admission to 
     the United States as a temporary resident and provide an 
     ``employment authorized'' endorsement or other appropriate 
     work permit to any alien who presents a preliminary 
     application for such status under subsection (a) at a 
     designated port of entry on the southern land border of the 
     United States. An alien who does not enter through a port of 
     entry is subject to deportation and removal as otherwise 
     provided in this title.
       (ii) Definition.--For purposes of clause (i), the term 
     ``preliminary application'' means a fully completed and 
     signed application which contains specific information 
     concerning the performance of qualifying employment in the 
     United States, together with the payment of the appropriate 
     fee and the submission of photographs and the documentary 
     evidence which the applicant intends to submit as proof of 
     such employment.
       (iii) Eligibility.--An applicant under clause (i) must be 
     otherwise admissible to the United States under subsection 
     (e)(2) and must establish to the satisfaction of the 
     examining officer during an interview that the applicant's 
     claim to eligibility for temporary resident status is 
     credible.
       (D) Travel documentation.--The Secretary shall provide each 
     alien granted status under this section with a counterfeit-
     resistant document of authorization to enter or reenter the 
     United States that meets the requirements established by the 
     Secretary.
       (2) Designation of entities to receive applications.--
       (A) In general.--For purposes of receiving applications 
     under subsection (a), the Secretary--
       (i) shall designate qualified farm labor organizations and 
     associations of employers; and
       (ii) may designate such other persons as the Secretary 
     determines are qualified and have substantial experience, 
     demonstrate competence, and have traditional long-term 
     involvement in the preparation and submittal of applications 
     for adjustment of status under section 209, 210, or 245 of 
     the Immigration and Nationality Act, Public Law 89-732, 
     Public Law 95-145, or the Immigration Reform and Control Act 
     of 1986.
       (B) References.--Organizations, associations, and persons 
     designated under subparagraph (A) are referred to in this 
     title as ``qualified designated entities''.
       (3) Proof of eligibility.--
       (A) In general.--An alien may establish that the alien 
     meets the requirement of subsection (a)(1)(A) or subsection 
     (c)(1)(A) through government employment records or records 
     supplied by employers or collective bargaining organizations, 
     and other reliable documentation as the alien may provide. 
     The Secretary shall establish special procedures to properly 
     credit work in cases in which an alien was employed under an 
     assumed name.
       (B) Documentation of work history.--(i) An alien applying 
     for status under subsection (a)(1) or subsection (c)(1) has 
     the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that 
     the alien has worked the requisite number of hours or days 
     (as required under subsection (a)(1)(A) or subsection 
     (c)(1)(A)).
       (ii) If an employer or farm labor contractor employing such 
     an alien has kept proper and adequate records respecting such 
     employment, the alien's burden of proof under clause (i) may 
     be met by securing timely production of those records under 
     regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary.
       (iii) An alien can meet such burden of proof if the alien 
     establishes that the alien has in fact performed the work 
     described in subsection (a)(1)(A) or subsection (c)(1)(A) by 
     producing sufficient evidence to show the extent of that 
     employment as a matter of just and reasonable inference.
       (4) Treatment of applications by qualified designated 
     entities.--Each qualified designated entity must agree to 
     forward to the Secretary applications filed with it in 
     accordance with paragraph (1)(A)(i)(II) but not to forward to 
     the Secretary applications filed with it unless the applicant 
     has consented to such forwarding. No such entity may make a 
     determination required by this section to be made by the 
     Secretary. Upon the request of the alien, a qualified 
     designated entity shall assist the alien in obtaining 
     documentation of the work history of the alien.
       (5) Limitation on access to information.--Files and records 
     prepared for purposes of this subsection by qualified 
     designated entities operating under this subsection are 
     confidential and the Secretary shall not have access to such 
     files or records relating to an alien without the consent of 
     the alien, except as allowed by a court order issued pursuant 
     to paragraph (6).
       (6) Confidentiality of information.--
       (A) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
     subsection, neither the Secretary, nor any other official or 
     employee of the Department of Homeland Security, or bureau or 
     agency thereof, may--
       (i) use the information furnished by the applicant pursuant 
     to an application filed under this section, the information 
     provided to the applicant by a person designated under 
     paragraph (2)(A), or any information provided by an employer 
     or former employer, for any purpose other than to make a 
     determination on the application, or for enforcement of 
     paragraph (7);
       (ii) make any publication whereby the information furnished 
     by any particular individual can be identified; or
       (iii) permit anyone other than the sworn officers and 
     employees of the Department of Homeland Security, or bureau 
     or agency thereof, or, with respect to applications filed 
     with a qualified designated entity, that qualified designated 
     entity, to examine individual applications.
       (B) Crime.--Whoever knowingly uses, publishes, or permits 
     information to be examined in violation of this paragraph 
     shall be fined not more than $10,000.
       (7) Penalties for false statements in applications.--
       (A) Criminal penalty.--Whoever--
       (i) files an application for status under subsection (a) or 
     (c) and knowingly and willfully falsifies, conceals, or 
     covers up a material fact or makes any false, fictitious, or 
     fraudulent statements or representations, or makes or uses 
     any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any 
     false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry; or
       (ii) creates or supplies a false writing or document for 
     use in making such an application;

     shall be fined in accordance with title 18, United States 
     Code, or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
       (B) Inadmissibility.--An alien who is convicted of a crime 
     under subparagraph (A) shall be considered to be inadmissible 
     to the United States on the ground described in section 
     212(a)(6)(C)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
     U.S.C. 1182(a)(6)(C)(i)).
       (8) Eligibility for legal services.--Section 504(a)(11) of 
     Public Law 104-134 (110 Stat. 1321-53 et seq.) shall not be 
     construed to prevent a recipient of funds under the Legal 
     Services Corporation Act (42 U.S.C. 2996 et seq.) from 
     providing legal assistance directly related to an application 
     for adjustment of status under this section.
       (9) Application fees.--
       (A) Fee schedule.--The Secretary shall provide for a 
     schedule of fees that--
       (i) shall be charged for the filing of applications for 
     status under subsections (a) and (c); and
       (ii) may be charged by qualified designated entities to 
     help defray the costs of services provided to such 
     applicants.
       (B) Prohibition on excess fees by qualified designated 
     entities.--A qualified designated entity may not charge any 
     fee in excess of, or in addition to, the fees authorized 
     under subparagraph (A)(ii) for services provided to 
     applicants.
       (C) Disposition of fees.--
       (i) In general.--There is established in the general fund 
     of the Treasury a separate account, which shall be known as 
     the ``Agricultural Worker Immigration Status Adjustment 
     Account''. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there 
     shall be deposited as offsetting receipts into the account 
     all fees collected under subparagraph (A)(i).
       (ii) Use of fees for application processing.--Amounts 
     deposited in the ``Agricultural Worker Immigration Status 
     Adjustment Account'' shall remain available to the Secretary 
     until expended for processing applications for status under 
     subsections (a) and (c).
       (e) Waiver of Numerical Limitations and Certain Grounds for 
     Inadmissibility.--
       (1) Numerical limitations do not apply.--The numerical 
     limitations of sections 201 and 202 of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151 and 1152) shall not apply to 
     the adjustment of aliens to lawful permanent resident status 
     under this section.
       (2) Waiver of certain grounds of inadmissibility.--In the 
     determination of an alien's eligibility for status under 
     subsection (a)(1)(C) or an alien's eligibility for adjustment 
     of status under subsection (c)(1)(B)(ii)(I), the following 
     rules shall apply:
       (A) Grounds of exclusion not applicable.--The provisions of 
     paragraphs (5), (6)(A), (7)(A), and (9)(B) of section 212(a) 
     of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)) 
     shall not apply.
       (B) Waiver of other grounds.--
       (i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), the 
     Secretary may waive any other provision of such section 
     212(a) in the case of individual aliens for humanitarian 
     purposes, to ensure family unity, or when it is otherwise in 
     the public interest.
       (ii) Grounds that may not be waived.--The following 
     provisions of such section 212(a) may not be waived by the 
     Secretary under clause (i):

       (I) Subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) (relating to 
     criminals).
       (II) Paragraph (4) (relating to aliens likely to become 
     public charges).
       (III) Paragraph (2)(C) (relating to drug offenses).
       (IV) Paragraph (3) (relating to security and related 
     grounds).

       (iii) Construction.--Nothing in this subparagraph shall be 
     construed as affecting the authority of the Secretary other 
     than under

[[Page 14569]]

     this subparagraph to waive provisions of such section 212(a).
       (C) Special rule for determination of public charge.--An 
     alien is not ineligible for status under this section by 
     reason of a ground of inadmissibility under section 212(a)(4) 
     of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(4)) 
     if the alien demonstrates a history of employment in the 
     United States evidencing self-support without reliance on 
     public cash assistance.
       (f) Temporary Stay of Removal and Work Authorization for 
     Certain Applicants.--
       (1) Before application period.--Effective on the date of 
     enactment of this title, the Secretary shall provide that, in 
     the case of an alien who is apprehended before the beginning 
     of the application period described in subsection (a)(1)(B) 
     and who can establish a nonfrivolous case of eligibility for 
     temporary resident status under subsection (a) (but for the 
     fact that the alien may not apply for such status until the 
     beginning of such period), until the alien has had the 
     opportunity during the first 30 days of the application 
     period to complete the filing of an application for temporary 
     resident status, the alien--
       (A) may not be removed; and
       (B) shall be granted authorization to engage in employment 
     in the United States and be provided an ``employment 
     authorized'' endorsement or other appropriate work permit for 
     such purpose.
       (2) During application period.--The Secretary shall provide 
     that, in the case of an alien who presents a nonfrivolous 
     application for temporary resident status under subsection 
     (a) during the application period described in subsection 
     (a)(1)(B), including an alien who files such an application 
     within 30 days of the alien's apprehension, and until a final 
     determination on the application has been made in accordance 
     with this section, the alien--
       (A) may not be removed; and
       (B) shall be granted authorization to engage in employment 
     in the United States and be provided an ``employment 
     authorized'' endorsement or other appropriate work permit for 
     such purpose.
       (g) Administrative and Judicial Review.--
       (1) In general.--There shall be no administrative or 
     judicial review of a determination respecting an application 
     for status under subsection (a) or (c) except in accordance 
     with this subsection.
       (2) Administrative review.--
       (A) Single level of administrative appellate review.--The 
     Secretary shall establish an appellate authority to provide 
     for a single level of administrative appellate review of such 
     a determination.
       (B) Standard for review.--Such administrative appellate 
     review shall be based solely upon the administrative record 
     established at the time of the determination on the 
     application and upon such additional or newly discovered 
     evidence as may not have been available at the time of the 
     determination.
       (3) Judicial review.--
       (A) Limitation to review of removal.--There shall be 
     judicial review of such a determination only in the judicial 
     review of an order of removal under section 242 of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1252).
       (B) Standard for judicial review.--Such judicial review 
     shall be based solely upon the administrative record 
     established at the time of the review by the appellate 
     authority and the findings of fact and determinations 
     contained in such record shall be conclusive unless the 
     applicant can establish abuse of discretion or that the 
     findings are directly contrary to clear and convincing facts 
     contained in the record considered as a whole.
       (h) Dissemination of Information on Adjustment Program.--
     Beginning not later than the 1st day of the application 
     period described in subsection (a)(1)(B), the Secretary, in 
     cooperation with qualified designated entities, shall broadly 
     disseminate information respecting the benefits that aliens 
     may receive under this section and the requirements to be 
     satisfied to obtain such benefits.
       (i) Regulations.--The Secretary shall issue regulations to 
     implement this section not later than the 1st day of the 7th 
     month that begins after the date of enactment of this Act.
       (j) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the 
     date that regulations are issued implementing this section on 
     an interim or other basis.
       (k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is hereby 
     authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out 
     this section $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 
     through 2008.

     SEC. 212. CORRECTION OF SOCIAL SECURITY RECORDS.

       (a) In General.--Section 208(d)(1) of the Social Security 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 408(d)(1)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (2) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``or'' at the end;
       (3) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
       ``(D) who is granted status as a lawful temporary resident 
     under the Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and 
     Security Act of 2004,''; and
       (4) by striking ``1990.'' and inserting ``1990, or in the 
     case of an alien described in subparagraph (D), if such 
     conduct is alleged to have occurred prior to the date on 
     which the alien was granted lawful temporary resident 
     status.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on the 1st day of the 7th month that begins 
     after the date of enactment of this Act.

               Subtitle B--Reform of H-2A Worker Program

     SEC. 221. AMENDMENT TO THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT.

       (a) In General.--The Immigration and Nationality Act is 
     amended by striking section 218 (8 U.S.C. 1188) and inserting 
     the following:


                      ``H-2A EMPLOYER APPLICATIONS

       ``Sec. 218. (a) Applications to the Secretary of Labor.--
       ``(1) In general.--No alien may be admitted to the United 
     States as an H-2A worker, or otherwise provided status as an 
     H-2A worker, unless the employer has filed with the Secretary 
     of Labor an application containing--
       ``(A) the assurances described in subsection (b);
       ``(B) a description of the nature and location of the work 
     to be performed;
       ``(C) the anticipated period (expected beginning and ending 
     dates) for which the workers will be needed; and
       ``(D) the number of job opportunities in which the employer 
     seeks to employ the workers.
       ``(2) Accompanied by job offer.--Each application filed 
     under paragraph (1) shall be accompanied by a copy of the job 
     offer describing the wages and other terms and conditions of 
     employment and the bona fide occupational qualifications that 
     must be possessed by a worker to be employed in the job 
     opportunity in question.
       ``(b) Assurances for Inclusion in Applications.--The 
     assurances referred to in subsection (a)(1) are the 
     following:
       ``(1) Job opportunities covered by collective bargaining 
     agreements.--With respect to a job opportunity that is 
     covered under a collective bargaining agreement:
       ``(A) Union contract described.--The job opportunity is 
     covered by a union contract which was negotiated at arm's 
     length between a bona fide union and the employer.
       ``(B) Strike or lockout.--The specific job opportunity for 
     which the employer is requesting an H-2A worker is not vacant 
     because the former occupant is on strike or being locked out 
     in the course of a labor dispute.
       ``(C) Notification of bargaining representatives.--The 
     employer, at the time of filing the application, has provided 
     notice of the filing under this paragraph to the bargaining 
     representative of the employer's employees in the 
     occupational classification at the place or places of 
     employment for which aliens are sought.
       ``(D) Temporary or seasonal job opportunities.--The job 
     opportunity is temporary or seasonal.
       ``(E) Offers to united states workers.--The employer has 
     offered or will offer the job to any eligible United States 
     worker who applies and is equally or better qualified for the 
     job for which the nonimmigrant is, or the nonimmigrants are, 
     sought and who will be available at the time and place of 
     need.
       ``(F) Provision of insurance.--If the job opportunity is 
     not covered by the State workers' compensation law, the 
     employer will provide, at no cost to the worker, insurance 
     covering injury and disease arising out of, and in the course 
     of, the worker's employment which will provide benefits at 
     least equal to those provided under the State's workers' 
     compensation law for comparable employment.
       ``(2) Job opportunities not covered by collective 
     bargaining agreements.--With respect to a job opportunity 
     that is not covered under a collective bargaining agreement:
       ``(A) Strike or lockout.--The specific job opportunity for 
     which the employer is requesting an H-2A worker is not vacant 
     because the former occupant is on strike or being locked out 
     in the course of a labor dispute.
       ``(B) Temporary or seasonal job opportunities.--The job 
     opportunity is temporary or seasonal.
       ``(C) Benefit, wage, and working conditions.--The employer 
     will provide, at a minimum, the benefits, wages, and working 
     conditions required by section 218A to all workers employed 
     in the job opportunities for which the employer has applied 
     under subsection (a) and to all other workers in the same 
     occupation at the place of employment.
       ``(D) Nondisplacement of united states workers.--The 
     employer did not displace and will not displace a United 
     States worker employed by the employer during the period of 
     employment and for a period of 30 days preceding the period 
     of employment in the occupation at the place of employment 
     for which the employer seeks approval to employ H-2A workers.
       ``(E) Requirements for placement of nonimmigrant with other 
     employers.--The employer will not place the nonimmigrant with 
     another employer unless--

[[Page 14570]]

       ``(i) the nonimmigrant performs duties in whole or in part 
     at 1 or more work sites owned, operated, or controlled by 
     such other employer;
       ``(ii) there are indicia of an employment relationship 
     between the nonimmigrant and such other employer; and
       ``(iii) the employer has inquired of the other employer as 
     to whether, and has no actual knowledge or notice that, 
     during the period of employment and for a period of 30 days 
     preceding the period of employment, the other employer has 
     displaced or intends to displace a United States worker 
     employed by the other employer in the occupation at the place 
     of employment for which the employer seeks approval to employ 
     H-2A workers.
       ``(F) Statement of liability.--The application form shall 
     include a clear statement explaining the liability under 
     subparagraph (E) of an employer if the other employer 
     described in such subparagraph displaces a United States 
     worker as described in such subparagraph.
       ``(G) Provision of insurance.--If the job opportunity is 
     not covered by the State workers' compensation law, the 
     employer will provide, at no cost to the worker, insurance 
     covering injury and disease arising out of and in the course 
     of the worker's employment which will provide benefits at 
     least equal to those provided under the State's workers' 
     compensation law for comparable employment.
       ``(H) Employment of united states workers.--
       ``(i) Recruitment.--The employer has taken or will take the 
     following steps to recruit United States workers for the job 
     opportunities for which the H-2A nonimmigrant is, or H-2A 
     nonimmigrants are, sought:

       ``(I) Contacting former workers.--The employer shall make 
     reasonable efforts through the sending of a letter by United 
     States Postal Service mail, or otherwise, to contact any 
     United States worker the employer employed during the 
     previous season in the occupation at the place of intended 
     employment for which the employer is applying for workers and 
     has made the availability of the employer's job opportunities 
     in the occupation at the place of intended employment known 
     to such previous workers, unless the worker was terminated 
     from employment by the employer for a lawful job-related 
     reason or abandoned the job before the worker completed the 
     period of employment of the job opportunity for which the 
     worker was hired.
       ``(II) Filing a job offer with the local office of the 
     state employment security agency.--Not later than 28 days 
     prior to the date on which the employer desires to employ an 
     H-2A worker in a temporary or seasonal agricultural job 
     opportunity, the employer shall submit a copy of the job 
     offer described in subsection (a)(2) to the local office of 
     the State employment security agency which serves the area of 
     intended employment and authorize the posting of the job 
     opportunity on `America's Job Bank' or other electronic job 
     registry, except that nothing in this subclause shall require 
     the employer to file an interstate job order under section 
     653 of title 20, Code of Federal Regulations.
       ``(III) Advertising of job opportunities.--Not later than 
     14 days prior to the date on which the employer desires to 
     employ an H-2A worker in a temporary or seasonal agricultural 
     job opportunity, the employer shall advertise the 
     availability of the job opportunities for which the employer 
     is seeking workers in a publication in the local labor market 
     that is likely to be patronized by potential farm workers.
       ``(IV) Emergency procedures.--The Secretary of Labor shall, 
     by regulation, provide a procedure for acceptance and 
     approval of applications in which the employer has not 
     complied with the provisions of this subparagraph because the 
     employer's need for H-2A workers could not reasonably have 
     been foreseen.

       ``(ii) Job offers.--The employer has offered or will offer 
     the job to any eligible United States worker who applies and 
     is equally or better qualified for the job for which the 
     nonimmigrant is, or nonimmigrants are, sought and who will be 
     available at the time and place of need.
       ``(iii) Period of employment.--The employer will provide 
     employment to any qualified United States worker who applies 
     to the employer during the period beginning on the date on 
     which the foreign worker departs for the employer's place of 
     employment and ending on the date on which 50 percent of the 
     period of employment for which the foreign worker who is in 
     the job was hired has elapsed, subject to the following 
     requirements:

       ``(I) Prohibition.--No person or entity shall willfully and 
     knowingly withhold United States workers prior to the arrival 
     of H-2A workers in order to force the hiring of United States 
     workers under this clause.
       ``(II) Complaints.--Upon receipt of a complaint by an 
     employer that a violation of subclause (I) has occurred, the 
     Secretary of Labor shall immediately investigate. The 
     Secretary of Labor shall, within 36 hours of the receipt of 
     the complaint, issue findings concerning the alleged 
     violation. If the Secretary of Labor finds that a violation 
     has occurred, the Secretary of Labor shall immediately 
     suspend the application of this clause with respect to that 
     certification for that date of need.
       ``(III) Placement of united states workers.--Prior to 
     referring a United States worker to an employer during the 
     period described in the matter preceding subclause (I), the 
     Secretary of Labor shall make all reasonable efforts to place 
     the United States worker in an open job acceptable to the 
     worker, if there are other job offers pending with the job 
     service that offer similar job opportunities in the area of 
     intended employment.

       ``(iv) Statutory construction.--Nothing in this 
     subparagraph shall be construed to prohibit an employer from 
     using such legitimate selection criteria relevant to the type 
     of job that are normal or customary to the type of job 
     involved so long as such criteria are not applied in a 
     discriminatory manner.
       ``(c) Applications by Associations on Behalf of Employer 
     Members.--
       ``(1) In general.--An agricultural association may file an 
     application under subsection (a) on behalf of 1 or more of 
     its employer members that the association certifies in its 
     application has or have agreed in writing to comply with the 
     requirements of this section and sections 218A through 218C.
       ``(2) Treatment of associations acting as employers.--If an 
     association filing an application under paragraph (1) is a 
     joint or sole employer of the temporary or seasonal 
     agricultural workers requested on the application, the 
     certifications granted under subsection (e)(2)(B) to the 
     association may be used for the certified job opportunities 
     of any of its producer members named on the application, and 
     such workers may be transferred among such producer members 
     to perform the agricultural services of a temporary or 
     seasonal nature for which the certifications were granted.
       ``(d) Withdrawal of Applications.--
       ``(1) In general.--An employer may withdraw an application 
     filed pursuant to subsection (a), except that if the employer 
     is an agricultural association, the association may withdraw 
     an application filed pursuant to subsection (a) with respect 
     to 1 or more of its members. To withdraw an application, the 
     employer or association shall notify the Secretary of Labor 
     in writing, and the Secretary of Labor shall acknowledge in 
     writing the receipt of such withdrawal notice. An employer 
     who withdraws an application under subsection (a), or on 
     whose behalf an application is withdrawn, is relieved of the 
     obligations undertaken in the application.
       ``(2) Limitation.--An application may not be withdrawn 
     while any alien provided status under section 
     101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) pursuant to such application is employed 
     by the employer.
       ``(3) Obligations under other statutes.--Any obligation 
     incurred by an employer under any other law or regulation as 
     a result of the recruitment of United States workers or H-2A 
     workers under an offer of terms and conditions of employment 
     required as a result of making an application under 
     subsection (a) is unaffected by withdrawal of such 
     application.
       ``(e) Review and Approval of Applications.--
       ``(1) Responsibility of employers.--The employer shall make 
     available for public examination, within 1 working day after 
     the date on which an application under subsection (a) is 
     filed, at the employer's principal place of business or work 
     site, a copy of each such application (and such accompanying 
     documents as are necessary).
       ``(2) Responsibility of the secretary of labor.--
       ``(A) Compilation of list.--The Secretary of Labor shall 
     compile, on a current basis, a list (by employer and by 
     occupational classification) of the applications filed under 
     this subsection. Such list shall include the wage rate, 
     number of workers sought, period of intended employment, and 
     date of need. The Secretary of Labor shall make such list 
     available for examination in the District of Columbia.
       ``(B) Review of applications.--The Secretary of Labor shall 
     review such an application only for completeness and obvious 
     inaccuracies. Unless the Secretary of Labor finds that the 
     application is incomplete or obviously inaccurate, the 
     Secretary of Labor shall certify that the intending employer 
     has filed with the Secretary of Labor an application as 
     described in subsection (a). Such certification shall be 
     provided within 7 days of the filing of the application.


                     ``H-2A EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

       ``Sec. 218A. (a) Preferential Treatment of Aliens 
     Prohibited.--Employers seeking to hire United States workers 
     shall offer the United States workers no less than the same 
     benefits, wages, and working conditions that the employer is 
     offering, intends to offer, or will provide to H-2A workers. 
     Conversely, no job offer may impose on United States workers 
     any restrictions or obligations which will not be imposed on 
     the employer's H-2A workers.
       ``(b) Minimum Benefits, Wages, and Working Conditions.--
     Except in cases where higher benefits, wages, or working 
     conditions are required by the provisions of subsection (a), 
     in order to protect similarly employed United States workers 
     from adverse effects

[[Page 14571]]

     with respect to benefits, wages, and working conditions, 
     every job offer which must accompany an application under 
     section 218(b)(2) shall include each of the following 
     benefit, wage, and working condition provisions:
       ``(1) Requirement to provide housing or a housing 
     allowance.--
       ``(A) In general.--An employer applying under section 
     218(a) for H-2A workers shall offer to provide housing at no 
     cost to all workers in job opportunities for which the 
     employer has applied under that section and to all other 
     workers in the same occupation at the place of employment, 
     whose place of residence is beyond normal commuting distance.
       ``(B) Type of housing.--In complying with subparagraph (A), 
     an employer may, at the employer's election, provide housing 
     that meets applicable Federal standards for temporary labor 
     camps or secure housing that meets applicable local standards 
     for rental or public accommodation housing or other 
     substantially similar class of habitation, or in the absence 
     of applicable local standards, State standards for rental or 
     public accommodation housing or other substantially similar 
     class of habitation. In the absence of applicable local or 
     State standards, Federal temporary labor camp standards shall 
     apply.
       ``(C) Family housing.--When it is the prevailing practice 
     in the occupation and area of intended employment to provide 
     family housing, family housing shall be provided to workers 
     with families who request it.
       ``(D) Workers engaged in the range production of 
     livestock.--The Secretary of Labor shall issue regulations 
     that address the specific requirements for the provision of 
     housing to workers engaged in the range production of 
     livestock.
       ``(E) Limitation.--Nothing in this paragraph shall be 
     construed to require an employer to provide or secure housing 
     for persons who were not entitled to such housing under the 
     temporary labor certification regulations in effect on June 
     1, 1986.
       ``(F) Charges for housing.--
       ``(i) Charges for public housing.--If public housing 
     provided for migrant agricultural workers under the auspices 
     of a local, county, or State government is secured by an 
     employer, and use of the public housing unit normally 
     requires charges from migrant workers, such charges shall be 
     paid by the employer directly to the appropriate individual 
     or entity affiliated with the housing's management.
       ``(ii) Deposit charges.--Charges in the form of deposits 
     for bedding or other similar incidentals related to housing 
     shall not be levied upon workers by employers who provide 
     housing for their workers. However, an employer may require a 
     worker found to have been responsible for damage to such 
     housing which is not the result of normal wear and tear 
     related to habitation to reimburse the employer for the 
     reasonable cost of repair of such damage.
       ``(G) Housing allowance as alternative.--
       ``(i) In general.--In lieu of offering housing pursuant to 
     subparagraph (A), the employer may provide a reasonable 
     housing allowance, but only if the requirement of clause (ii) 
     is satisfied. Upon the request of a worker seeking assistance 
     in locating housing, the employer shall make a good faith 
     effort to assist the worker in identifying and locating 
     housing in the area of intended employment. An employer who 
     offers a housing allowance to a worker, or assists a worker 
     in locating housing which the worker occupies, pursuant to 
     this clause shall not be deemed a housing provider under 
     section 203 of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker 
     Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 1823) solely by virtue of providing 
     such housing allowance. However, no housing allowance may be 
     used for housing which is owned or controlled by the 
     employer.
       ``(ii) Certification.--The requirement of this clause is 
     satisfied if the Governor of the State certifies to the 
     Secretary of Labor that there is adequate housing available 
     in the area of intended employment for migrant farm workers, 
     and H-2A workers, who are seeking temporary housing while 
     employed at farm work. Such certification shall expire after 
     3 years unless renewed by the Governor of the State.
       ``(iii) Amount of allowance.--

       ``(I) Nonmetropolitan counties.--If the place of employment 
     of the workers provided an allowance under this subparagraph 
     is a nonmetropolitan county, the amount of the housing 
     allowance under this subparagraph shall be equal to the 
     statewide average fair market rental for existing housing for 
     nonmetropolitan counties for the State, as established by the 
     Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to 
     section 8(c) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 
     U.S.C. 1437f(c)), based on a 2-bedroom dwelling unit and an 
     assumption of 2 persons per bedroom.
       ``(II) Metropolitan counties.--If the place of employment 
     of the workers provided an allowance under this paragraph is 
     in a metropolitan county, the amount of the housing allowance 
     under this subparagraph shall be equal to the statewide 
     average fair market rental for existing housing for 
     metropolitan counties for the State, as established by the 
     Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to 
     section 8(c) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 
     U.S.C. 1437f(c)), based on a 2-bedroom dwelling unit and an 
     assumption of 2 persons per bedroom.

       ``(2) Reimbursement of transportation.--
       ``(A) To place of employment.--A worker who completes 50 
     percent of the period of employment of the job opportunity 
     for which the worker was hired shall be reimbursed by the 
     employer for the cost of the worker's transportation and 
     subsistence from the place from which the worker came to work 
     for the employer (or place of last employment, if the worker 
     traveled from such place) to the place of employment.
       ``(B) From place of employment.--A worker who completes the 
     period of employment for the job opportunity involved shall 
     be reimbursed by the employer for the cost of the worker's 
     transportation and subsistence from the place of employment 
     to the place from which the worker, disregarding intervening 
     employment, came to work for the employer, or to the place of 
     next employment, if the worker has contracted with a 
     subsequent employer who has not agreed to provide or pay for 
     the worker's transportation and subsistence to such 
     subsequent employer's place of employment.
       ``(C) Limitation.--
       ``(i) Amount of reimbursement.--Except as provided in 
     clause (ii), the amount of reimbursement provided under 
     subparagraph (A) or (B) to a worker or alien shall not exceed 
     the lesser of--

       ``(I) the actual cost to the worker or alien of the 
     transportation and subsistence involved; or
       ``(II) the most economical and reasonable common carrier 
     transportation charges and subsistence costs for the distance 
     involved.

       ``(ii) Distance traveled.--No reimbursement under 
     subparagraph (A) or (B) shall be required if the distance 
     traveled is 100 miles or less, or the worker is not residing 
     in employer-provided housing or housing secured through an 
     allowance as provided in paragraph (1)(G).
       ``(D) Early termination.--If the worker is laid off or 
     employment is terminated for contract impossibility (as 
     described in paragraph (4)(D)) before the anticipated ending 
     date of employment, the employer shall provide the 
     transportation and subsistence required by subparagraph (B) 
     and, notwithstanding whether the worker has completed 50 
     percent of the period of employment, shall provide the 
     transportation reimbursement required by subparagraph (A).
       ``(E) Transportation between living quarters and work 
     site.--The employer shall provide transportation between the 
     worker's living quarters (i.e., housing provided by the 
     employer pursuant to paragraph (1), including housing 
     provided through a housing allowance) and the employer's work 
     site without cost to the worker, and such transportation will 
     be in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
       ``(3) Required wages.--
       ``(A) In general.--An employer applying for workers under 
     section 218(a) shall offer to pay, and shall pay, all workers 
     in the occupation for which the employer has applied for 
     workers, not less (and is not required to pay more) than the 
     greater of the prevailing wage in the occupation in the area 
     of intended employment or the adverse effect wage rate. No 
     worker shall be paid less than the greater of the hourly wage 
     prescribed under section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards 
     Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)) or the applicable State 
     minimum wage.
       ``(B) Limitation.--Effective on the date of enactment of 
     the Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act 
     of 2004 and continuing for 3 years thereafter, no adverse 
     effect wage rate for a State may be more than the adverse 
     effect wage rate for that State in effect on January 1, 2003, 
     as established by section 655.107 of title 20, Code of 
     Federal Regulations.
       ``(C) Required wages after 3-year freeze.--
       ``(i) First adjustment.--Unless Congress acts to set a new 
     wage standard applicable to this section, effective on 
     December 1, 2006, the adverse effect wage rate then in effect 
     shall be adjusted by the 12 month percentage change in the 
     Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers between December 
     of the preceding year and December of the second preceding 
     year, except that such adjustment shall not exceed 4 percent.
       ``(ii) Subsequent annual adjustments.--Effective on March 
     1, 2007, and each March 1 thereafter, the adverse effect wage 
     rate then in effect shall be adjusted in accordance with the 
     requirements of clause (i).
       ``(D) Deductions.--The employer shall make only those 
     deductions from the worker's wages that are authorized by law 
     or are reasonable and customary in the occupation and area of 
     employment. The job offer shall specify all deductions not 
     required by law which the employer will make from the 
     worker's wages.
       ``(E) Frequency of pay.--The employer shall pay the worker 
     not less frequently than twice monthly, or in accordance with 
     the prevailing practice in the area of employment, whichever 
     is more frequent.
       ``(F) Hours and earnings statements.--The employer shall 
     furnish to the worker, on or before each payday, in one or 
     more written statements the following information:
       ``(i) The worker's total earnings for the pay period.

[[Page 14572]]

       ``(ii) The worker's hourly rate of pay, piece rate of pay, 
     or both.
       ``(iii) The hours of employment which have been offered to 
     the worker (broken out by hours offered in accordance with 
     and over and above the three-quarters guarantee described in 
     paragraph (4)).
       ``(iv) The hours actually worked by the worker.
       ``(v) An itemization of the deductions made from the 
     worker's wages.
       ``(vi) If piece rates of pay are used, the units produced 
     daily.
       ``(G) Report on wage protections.--Not later than June 1, 
     2007, the Resources, Community and Economic Development 
     Division, and the Health, Education and Human Services 
     Division, of the General Accounting Office shall jointly 
     prepare and transmit to the Secretary of Labor and to the 
     Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives 
     and the Senate a report which shall address--
       ``(i) whether the employment of H-2A or unauthorized aliens 
     in the United States agricultural work force has depressed 
     United States farm worker wages below the levels that would 
     otherwise have prevailed if alien farm workers had not been 
     employed in the United States;
       ``(ii) whether an adverse effect wage rate is necessary to 
     prevent wages of United States farm workers in occupations in 
     which H-2A workers are employed from falling below the wage 
     levels that would have prevailed in the absence of the 
     employment of H-2A workers in those occupations;
       ``(iii) whether alternative wage standards, such as a 
     prevailing wage standard, would be sufficient to prevent 
     wages in occupations in which H-2A workers are employed from 
     falling below the wage level that would have prevailed in the 
     absence of H-2A employment;
       ``(iv) whether any changes are warranted in the current 
     methodologies for calculating the adverse effect wage rate 
     and the prevailing wage; and
       ``(v) recommendations for future wage protection under this 
     section.
       ``(H) Commission on wage standards.--
       ``(i) Establishment.--There is established the Commission 
     on Agricultural Wage Standards under the H-2A program (in 
     this subparagraph referred to as the `Commission').
       ``(ii) Composition.--The Commission shall consist of 10 
     members as follows:

       ``(I) 4 representatives of agricultural employers and 1 
     representative of the Department of Agriculture, each 
     appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.
       ``(II) 4 representatives of agricultural workers and 1 
     representative of the Department of Labor, each appointed by 
     the Secretary of Labor.

       ``(iii) Functions.--The Commission shall conduct a study 
     that shall address--

       ``(I) whether the employment of H-2A or unauthorized aliens 
     in the United States agricultural workforce has depressed 
     United States farm worker wages below the levels that would 
     otherwise have prevailed if alien farm workers had not been 
     employed in the United States;
       ``(II) whether an adverse effect wage rate is necessary to 
     prevent wages of United States farm workers in occupations in 
     which H-2A workers are employed from falling below the wage 
     levels that would have prevailed in the absence of the 
     employment of H-2A workers in those occupations;
       ``(III) whether alternative wage standards, such as a 
     prevailing wage standard, would be sufficient to prevent 
     wages in occupations in which H-2A workers are employed from 
     falling below the wage level that would have prevailed in the 
     absence of H-2A employment;
       ``(IV) whether any changes are warranted in the current 
     methodologies for calculating the adverse effect wage rate 
     and the prevailing wage rate; and
       ``(V) recommendations for future wage protection under this 
     section.

       ``(iv) Final report.--Not later than June 1, 2007, the 
     Commission shall submit a report to the Congress setting 
     forth the findings of the study conducted under clause (iii).
       ``(v) Termination date.--The Commission shall terminate 
     upon submitting its final report.
       ``(4) Guarantee of employment.--
       ``(A) Offer to worker.--The employer shall guarantee to 
     offer the worker employment for the hourly equivalent of at 
     least three-fourths of the work days of the total period of 
     employment, beginning with the first work day after the 
     arrival of the worker at the place of employment and ending 
     on the expiration date specified in the job offer. For 
     purposes of this subparagraph, the hourly equivalent means 
     the number of hours in the work days as stated in the job 
     offer and shall exclude the worker's Sabbath and Federal 
     holidays. If the employer affords the United States or H-2A 
     worker less employment than that required under this 
     paragraph, the employer shall pay such worker the amount 
     which the worker would have earned had the worker, in fact, 
     worked for the guaranteed number of hours.
       ``(B) Failure to work.--Any hours which the worker fails to 
     work, up to a maximum of the number of hours specified in the 
     job offer for a work day, when the worker has been offered an 
     opportunity to do so, and all hours of work actually 
     performed (including voluntary work in excess of the number 
     of hours specified in the job offer in a work day, on the 
     worker's Sabbath, or on Federal holidays) may be counted by 
     the employer in calculating whether the period of guaranteed 
     employment has been met.
       ``(C) Abandonment of employment, termination for cause.--If 
     the worker voluntarily abandons employment before the end of 
     the contract period, or is terminated for cause, the worker 
     is not entitled to the `three-fourths guarantee' described in 
     subparagraph (A).
       ``(D) Contract impossibility.--If, before the expiration of 
     the period of employment specified in the job offer, the 
     services of the worker are no longer required for reasons 
     beyond the control of the employer due to any form of natural 
     disaster, including but not limited to a flood, hurricane, 
     freeze, earthquake, fire, drought, plant or animal disease or 
     pest infestation, or regulatory drought, before the guarantee 
     in subparagraph (A) is fulfilled, the employer may terminate 
     the worker's employment. In the event of such termination, 
     the employer shall fulfill the employment guarantee in 
     subparagraph (A) for the work days that have elapsed from the 
     first work day after the arrival of the worker to the 
     termination of employment. In such cases, the employer will 
     make efforts to transfer the United States worker to other 
     comparable employment acceptable to the worker. If such 
     transfer is not effected, the employer shall provide the 
     return transportation required in paragraph (2)(D).
       ``(5) Motor vehicle safety.--
       ``(A) Mode of transportation subject to coverage.--
       ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clauses (iii) and 
     (iv), this subsection applies to any H-2A employer that uses 
     or causes to be used any vehicle to transport an H-2A worker 
     within the United States.
       ``(ii) Uses or causes to be used.--(I) In this subsection, 
     the term `uses or causes to be used' applies only to 
     transportation provided by an H-2A employer to an H-2A 
     worker, or by a farm labor contractor to an H-2A worker at 
     the request or direction of an H-2A employer.
       ``(II) The term `uses or causes to be used' does not apply 
     to--

       ``(aa) transportation provided, or transportation 
     arrangements made, by an H-2A worker himself or herself, 
     unless the employer specifically requested or arranged such 
     transportation; or
       ``(bb) carpooling arrangements made by H-2A workers 
     themselves, using one of the workers' own vehicles, unless 
     specifically requested by the employer directly or through a 
     farm labor contractor.

       ``(III) The mere providing of a job offer by an employer to 
     an H-2A worker that causes the worker to travel to or from 
     the place of employment, or the payment or reimbursement of 
     the transportation costs of an H-2A worker by an H-2A 
     employer, shall not constitute an arrangement of, or 
     participation in, such transportation.
       ``(iii) Agricultural machinery and equipment excluded.--
     This subsection does not apply to the transportation of an H-
     2A worker on a tractor, combine, harvester, picker, or other 
     similar machinery or equipment while such worker is actually 
     engaged in the planting, cultivating, or harvesting of 
     agricultural commodities or the care of livestock or poultry 
     or engaged in transportation incidental thereto.
       ``(iv) Common carriers excluded.--This subsection does not 
     apply to common carrier motor vehicle transportation in which 
     the provider holds itself out to the general public as 
     engaging in the transportation of passengers for hire and 
     holds a valid certification of authorization for such 
     purposes from an appropriate Federal, State, or local agency.
       ``(B) Applicability of standards, licensing, and insurance 
     requirements.--
       ``(i) In general.--When using, or causing to be used, any 
     vehicle for the purpose of providing transportation to which 
     this subparagraph applies, each employer shall--

       ``(I) ensure that each such vehicle conforms to the 
     standards prescribed by the Secretary of Labor under section 
     401(b) of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker 
     Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 1841(b)) and other applicable 
     Federal and State safety standards;
       ``(II) ensure that each driver has a valid and appropriate 
     license, as provided by State law, to operate the vehicle; 
     and
       ``(III) have an insurance policy or a liability bond that 
     is in effect which insures the employer against liability for 
     damage to persons or property arising from the ownership, 
     operation, or causing to be operated, of any vehicle used to 
     transport any H-2A worker.

       ``(ii) Amount of insurance required.--The level of 
     insurance required shall be determined by the Secretary of 
     Labor pursuant to regulations to be issued under this 
     subsection.
       ``(iii) Effect of workers' compensation coverage.--If the 
     employer of any H-2A worker provides workers' compensation 
     coverage for such worker in the case of bodily injury or 
     death as provided by State law, the following adjustments in 
     the requirements of subparagraph (B)(i)(III) relating to 
     having an insurance policy or liability bond apply:

[[Page 14573]]

       ``(I) No insurance policy or liability bond shall be 
     required of the employer, if such workers are transported 
     only under circumstances for which there is coverage under 
     such State law.
       ``(II) An insurance policy or liability bond shall be 
     required of the employer for circumstances under which 
     coverage for the transportation of such workers is not 
     provided under such State law.

       ``(c) Compliance With Labor Laws.--An employer shall assure 
     that, except as otherwise provided in this section, the 
     employer will comply with all applicable Federal, State, and 
     local labor laws, including laws affecting migrant and 
     seasonal agricultural workers, with respect to all United 
     States workers and alien workers employed by the employer, 
     except that a violation of this assurance shall not 
     constitute a violation of the Migrant and Seasonal 
     Agricultural Worker Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
       ``(d) Copy of Job Offer.--The employer shall provide to the 
     worker, not later than the day the work commences, a copy of 
     the employer's application and job offer described in section 
     218(a), or, if the employer will require the worker to enter 
     into a separate employment contract covering the employment 
     in question, such separate employment contract.
       ``(e) Range Production of Livestock.--Nothing in this 
     section or sections 218 or 218B shall preclude the Secretary 
     of Labor and the Secretary from continuing to apply special 
     procedures and requirements to the admission and employment 
     of aliens in occupations involving the range production of 
     livestock.


    ``PROCEDURE FOR ADMISSION AND EXTENSION OF STAY OF H-2A WORKERS

       ``Sec. 218B. (a) Petitioning for Admission.--An employer, 
     or an association acting as an agent or joint employer for 
     its members, that seeks the admission into the United States 
     of an H-2A worker may file a petition with the Secretary. The 
     petition shall be accompanied by an accepted and currently 
     valid certification provided by the Secretary of Labor under 
     section 218(e)(2)(B) covering the petitioner.
       ``(b) Expedited Adjudication by the Secretary.--The 
     Secretary shall establish a procedure for expedited 
     adjudication of petitions filed under subsection (a) and 
     within 7 working days shall, by fax, cable, or other means 
     assuring expedited delivery, transmit a copy of notice of 
     action on the petition to the petitioner and, in the case of 
     approved petitions, to the appropriate immigration officer at 
     the port of entry or United States consulate (as the case may 
     be) where the petitioner has indicated that the alien 
     beneficiary (or beneficiaries) will apply for a visa or 
     admission to the United States.
       ``(c) Criteria for Admissibility.--
       ``(1) In general.--An H-2A worker shall be considered 
     admissible to the United States if the alien is otherwise 
     admissible under this section, section 218, and section 218A, 
     and the alien is not ineligible under paragraph (2).
       ``(2) Disqualification.--An alien shall be considered 
     inadmissible to the United States and ineligible for 
     nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) if the 
     alien has, at any time during the past 5 years--
       ``(A) violated a material provision of this section, 
     including the requirement to promptly depart the United 
     States when the alien's authorized period of admission under 
     this section has expired; or
       ``(B) otherwise violated a term or condition of admission 
     into the United States as a nonimmigrant, including 
     overstaying the period of authorized admission as such a 
     nonimmigrant.
       ``(3) Waiver of ineligibility for unlawful presence.--
       ``(A) In general.--An alien who has not previously been 
     admitted into the United States pursuant to this section, and 
     who is otherwise eligible for admission in accordance with 
     paragraphs (1) and (2), shall not be deemed inadmissible by 
     virtue of section 212(a)(9)(B). If an alien described in the 
     preceding sentence is present in the United States, the alien 
     may apply from abroad for H-2A status, but may not be granted 
     that status in the United States.
       ``(B) Maintenance of waiver.--An alien provided an initial 
     waiver of ineligibility pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall 
     remain eligible for such waiver unless the alien violates the 
     terms of this section or again becomes ineligible under 
     section 212(a)(9)(B) by virtue of unlawful presence in the 
     United States after the date of the initial waiver of 
     ineligibility pursuant to subparagraph (A).
       ``(d) Period of Admission.--
       ``(1) In general.--The alien shall be admitted for the 
     period of employment in the application certified by the 
     Secretary of Labor pursuant to section 218(e)(2)(B), not to 
     exceed 10 months, supplemented by a period of up to 1 week 
     before the beginning of the period of employment (to be 
     granted for the purpose of travel to the work site) and a 
     period of 14 days following the period of employment (to be 
     granted for the purpose of departure or extension based on a 
     subsequent offer of employment), except that--
       ``(A) the alien is not authorized to be employed during 
     such 14-day period except in the employment for which the 
     alien was previously authorized; and
       ``(B) the total period of employment, including such 14-day 
     period, may not exceed 10 months.
       ``(2) Construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall limit 
     the authority of the Secretary to extend the stay of the 
     alien under any other provision of this Act.
       ``(e) Abandonment of Employment.--
       ``(1) In general.--An alien admitted or provided status 
     under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) who abandons the 
     employment which was the basis for such admission or status 
     shall be considered to have failed to maintain nonimmigrant 
     status as an H-2A worker and shall depart the United States 
     or be subject to removal under section 237(a)(1)(C)(i).
       ``(2) Report by employer.--The employer (or association 
     acting as agent for the employer) shall notify the Secretary 
     within 7 days of an H-2A worker's having prematurely 
     abandoned employment.
       ``(3) Removal by the secretary.--The Secretary shall 
     promptly remove from the United States any H-2A worker who 
     violates any term or condition of the worker's nonimmigrant 
     status.
       ``(4) Voluntary termination.--Notwithstanding paragraph 
     (1), an alien may voluntarily terminate his or her employment 
     if the alien promptly departs the United States upon 
     termination of such employment.
       ``(f) Replacement of Alien.--
       ``(1) In general.--Upon presentation of the notice to the 
     Secretary required by subsection (e)(2), the Secretary of 
     State shall promptly issue a visa to, and the Secretary shall 
     admit into the United States, an eligible alien designated by 
     the employer to replace an H-2A worker--
       ``(A) who abandons or prematurely terminates employment; or
       ``(B) whose employment is terminated after a United States 
     worker is employed pursuant to section 218(b)(2)(H)(iii), if 
     the United States worker voluntarily departs before the end 
     of the period of intended employment or if the employment 
     termination is for a lawful job-related reason.
       ``(2) Construction.--Nothing in this subsection is intended 
     to limit any preference required to be accorded United States 
     workers under any other provision of this Act.
       ``(g) Identification Document.--
       ``(1) In general.--Each alien authorized to be admitted 
     under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) shall be provided an 
     identification and employment eligibility document to verify 
     eligibility for employment in the United States and verify 
     such person's proper identity.
       ``(2) Requirements.--No identification and employment 
     eligibility document may be issued which does not meet the 
     following requirements:
       ``(A) The document shall be capable of reliably determining 
     whether--
       ``(i) the individual with the identification and employment 
     eligibility document whose eligibility is being verified is 
     in fact eligible for employment;
       ``(ii) the individual whose eligibility is being verified 
     is claiming the identity of another person; and
       ``(iii) the individual whose eligibility is being verified 
     is authorized to be admitted into, and employed in, the 
     United States as an H-2A worker.
       ``(B) The document shall be in a form that is resistant to 
     counterfeiting and to tampering.
       ``(C) The document shall--
       ``(i) be compatible with other databases of the Secretary 
     for the purpose of excluding aliens from benefits for which 
     they are not eligible and determining whether the alien is 
     unlawfully present in the United States; and
       ``(ii) be compatible with law enforcement databases to 
     determine if the alien has been convicted of criminal 
     offenses.
       ``(h) Extension of Stay of H-2A Aliens in the United 
     States.--
       ``(1) Extension of stay.--If an employer seeks approval to 
     employ an H-2A alien who is lawfully present in the United 
     States, the petition filed by the employer or an association 
     pursuant to subsection (a), shall request an extension of the 
     alien's stay and a change in the alien's employment.
       ``(2) Limitation on filing a petition for extension of 
     stay.--A petition may not be filed for an extension of an 
     alien's stay--
       ``(A) for a period of more than 10 months; or
       ``(B) to a date that is more than 3 years after the date of 
     the alien's last admission to the United States under this 
     section.
       ``(3) Work authorization upon filing a petition for 
     extension of stay.--In the case of an alien who is lawfully 
     present in the United States, the alien is authorized to 
     commence the employment described in a petition under 
     paragraph (1) on the date on which the petition is filed. For 
     purposes of the preceding sentence, the term `file' means 
     sending the petition by certified mail via the United States 
     Postal Service, return receipt requested, or delivered by 
     guaranteed commercial delivery which will provide the 
     employer with a documented acknowledgment of the date of 
     receipt of the petition. The employer shall provide a copy of 
     the employer's petition to the alien, who shall keep the 
     petition with the alien's identification and employment 
     eligibility document as evidence that the petition has been 
     filed and that the alien is authorized to work in the United

[[Page 14574]]

     States. Upon approval of a petition for an extension of stay 
     or change in the alien's authorized employment, the Secretary 
     shall provide a new or updated employment eligibility 
     document to the alien indicating the new validity date, after 
     which the alien is not required to retain a copy of the 
     petition.
       ``(4) Limitation on employment authorization of aliens 
     without valid identification and employment eligibility 
     document.--An expired identification and employment 
     eligibility document, together with a copy of a petition for 
     extension of stay or change in the alien's authorized 
     employment that complies with the requirements of paragraph 
     (1), shall constitute a valid work authorization document for 
     a period of not more than 60 days beginning on the date on 
     which such petition is filed, after which time only a 
     currently valid identification and employment eligibility 
     document shall be acceptable.
       ``(5) Limitation on an individual's stay in status.--
       ``(A) Maximum period.--The maximum continuous period of 
     authorized status as an H-2A worker (including any 
     extensions) is 3 years.
       ``(B) Requirement to remain outside the united states.--
       ``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), in the case of 
     an alien outside the United States whose period of authorized 
     status as an H-2A worker (including any extensions) has 
     expired, the alien may not again apply for admission to the 
     United States as an H-2A worker unless the alien has remained 
     outside the United States for a continuous period equal to at 
     least \1/5\ the duration of the alien's previous period of 
     authorized status as an H-2A worker (including any 
     extensions).
       ``(ii) Exception.--Clause (i) shall not apply in the case 
     of an alien if the alien's period of authorized status as an 
     H-2A worker (including any extensions) was for a period of 
     not more than 10 months and such alien has been outside the 
     United States for at least 2 months during the 12 months 
     preceding the date the alien again is applying for admission 
     to the United States as an H-2A worker.
       ``(i) Special Rules for Aliens Employed as Sheepherders.--
     Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agricultural Job 
     Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2004, aliens 
     admitted under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) for employment as 
     sheepherders--
       ``(1) may be admitted for a period of 12 months;
       ``(2) may be extended for a continuous period of up to 3 
     years; and
       ``(3) shall not be subject to the requirements of 
     subsection (h)(5) relating to periods of absence from the 
     United States.


          ``WORKER PROTECTIONS AND LABOR STANDARDS ENFORCEMENT

       ``Sec. 218C. (a) Enforcement Authority.--
       ``(1) Investigation of complaints.--
       ``(A) Aggrieved person or third-party complaints.--The 
     Secretary of Labor shall establish a process for the receipt, 
     investigation, and disposition of complaints respecting a 
     petitioner's failure to meet a condition specified in section 
     218(b), or an employer's misrepresentation of material facts 
     in an application under section 218(a). Complaints may be 
     filed by any aggrieved person or organization (including 
     bargaining representatives). No investigation or hearing 
     shall be conducted on a complaint concerning such a failure 
     or misrepresentation unless the complaint was filed not later 
     than 12 months after the date of the failure, or 
     misrepresentation, respectively. The Secretary of Labor shall 
     conduct an investigation under this subparagraph if there is 
     reasonable cause to believe that such a failure or 
     misrepresentation has occurred.
       ``(B) Determination on complaint.--Under such process, the 
     Secretary of Labor shall provide, within 30 days after the 
     date such a complaint is filed, for a determination as to 
     whether or not a reasonable basis exists to make a finding 
     described in subparagraph (C), (D), (E), or (H). If the 
     Secretary of Labor determines that such a reasonable basis 
     exists, the Secretary of Labor shall provide for notice of 
     such determination to the interested parties and an 
     opportunity for a hearing on the complaint, in accordance 
     with section 556 of title 5, United States Code, within 60 
     days after the date of the determination. If such a hearing 
     is requested, the Secretary of Labor shall make a finding 
     concerning the matter not later than 60 days after the date 
     of the hearing. In the case of similar complaints respecting 
     the same applicant, the Secretary of Labor may consolidate 
     the hearings under this subparagraph on such complaints.
       ``(C) Failures to meet conditions.--If the Secretary of 
     Labor finds, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, a 
     failure to meet a condition of paragraph (1)(A), (1)(B), 
     (1)(D), (1)(F), (2)(A), (2)(B), or (2)(G) of section 218(b), 
     a substantial failure to meet a condition of paragraph 
     (1)(C), (1)(E), (2)(C), (2)(D), (2)(E), or (2)(H) of section 
     218(b), or a material misrepresentation of fact in an 
     application under section 218(a)--
       ``(i) the Secretary of Labor shall notify the Secretary of 
     such finding and may, in addition, impose such other 
     administrative remedies (including civil money penalties in 
     an amount not to exceed $1,000 per violation) as the 
     Secretary of Labor determines to be appropriate; and
       ``(ii) the Secretary may disqualify the employer from the 
     employment of aliens described in section 
     101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) for a period of 1 year.
       ``(D) Willful failures and willful misrepresentations.--If 
     the Secretary of Labor finds, after notice and opportunity 
     for hearing, a willful failure to meet a condition of section 
     218(b), a willful misrepresentation of a material fact in an 
     application under section 218(a), or a violation of 
     subsection (d)(1)--
       ``(i) the Secretary of Labor shall notify the Secretary of 
     such finding and may, in addition, impose such other 
     administrative remedies (including civil money penalties in 
     an amount not to exceed $5,000 per violation) as the 
     Secretary of Labor determines to be appropriate;
       ``(ii) the Secretary of Labor may seek appropriate legal or 
     equitable relief to effectuate the purposes of subsection 
     (d)(1); and
       ``(iii) the Secretary may disqualify the employer from the 
     employment of H-2A workers for a period of 2 years.
       ``(E) Displacement of united states workers.--If the 
     Secretary of Labor finds, after notice and opportunity for 
     hearing, a willful failure to meet a condition of section 
     218(b) or a willful misrepresentation of a material fact in 
     an application under section 218(a), in the course of which 
     failure or misrepresentation the employer displaced a United 
     States worker employed by the employer during the period of 
     employment on the employer's application under section 218(a) 
     or during the period of 30 days preceding such period of 
     employment--
       ``(i) the Secretary of Labor shall notify the Secretary of 
     such finding and may, in addition, impose such other 
     administrative remedies (including civil money penalties in 
     an amount not to exceed $15,000 per violation) as the 
     Secretary of Labor determines to be appropriate; and
       ``(ii) the Secretary may disqualify the employer from the 
     employment of H-2A workers for a period of 3 years.
       ``(F) Limitations on civil money penalties.--The Secretary 
     of Labor shall not impose total civil money penalties with 
     respect to an application under section 218(a) in excess of 
     $90,000.
       ``(G) Failures to pay wages or required benefits.--If the 
     Secretary of Labor finds, after notice and opportunity for a 
     hearing, that the employer has failed to pay the wages, or 
     provide the housing allowance, transportation, subsistence 
     reimbursement, or guarantee of employment, required under 
     section 218A(b), the Secretary of Labor shall assess payment 
     of back wages, or other required benefits, due any United 
     States worker or H-2A worker employed by the employer in the 
     specific employment in question. The back wages or other 
     required benefits under section 218A(b) shall be equal to the 
     difference between the amount that should have been paid and 
     the amount that actually was paid to such worker.
       ``(2) Statutory construction.--Nothing in this section 
     shall be construed as limiting the authority of the Secretary 
     of Labor to conduct any compliance investigation under any 
     other labor law, including any law affecting migrant and 
     seasonal agricultural workers, or, in the absence of a 
     complaint under this section, under section 218 or 218A.
       ``(b) Rights Enforceable by Private Right of Action.--H-2A 
     workers may enforce the following rights through the private 
     right of action provided in subsection (c), and no other 
     right of action shall exist under Federal or State law to 
     enforce such rights:
       ``(1) The providing of housing or a housing allowance as 
     required under section 218A(b)(1).
       ``(2) The reimbursement of transportation as required under 
     section 218A(b)(2).
       ``(3) The payment of wages required under section 
     218A(b)(3) when due.
       ``(4) The benefits and material terms and conditions of 
     employment expressly provided in the job offer described in 
     section 218(a)(2), not including the assurance to comply with 
     other Federal, State, and local labor laws described in 
     section 218A(c), compliance with which shall be governed by 
     the provisions of such laws.
       ``(5) The guarantee of employment required under section 
     218A(b)(4).
       ``(6) The motor vehicle safety requirements under section 
     218A(b)(5).
       ``(7) The prohibition of discrimination under subsection 
     (d)(2).
       ``(c) Private Right of Action.--
       ``(1) Mediation.--Upon the filing of a complaint by an H-2A 
     worker aggrieved by a violation of rights enforceable under 
     subsection (b), and within 60 days of the filing of proof of 
     service of the complaint, a party to the action may file a 
     request with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service 
     to assist the parties in reaching a satisfactory resolution 
     of all issues involving all parties to the dispute. Upon a 
     filing of such request and giving of notice to the parties, 
     the parties shall attempt mediation within the period 
     specified in subparagraph (B).
       ``(A) Mediation services.--The Federal Mediation and 
     Conciliation Service shall be

[[Page 14575]]

     available to assist in resolving disputes arising under 
     subsection (b) between H-2A workers and agricultural 
     employers without charge to the parties.
       ``(B) 90-day limit.--The Federal Mediation and Conciliation 
     Service may conduct mediation or other non-binding dispute 
     resolution activities for a period not to exceed 90 days 
     beginning on the date on which the Federal Mediation and 
     Conciliation Service receives the request for assistance 
     unless the parties agree to an extension of this period of 
     time.
       ``(C) Authorization.--There is hereby authorized to be 
     appropriated annually not to exceed $500,000 to the Federal 
     Mediation and Conciliation Service to carry out this section, 
     provided that, any contrary provision of law notwithstanding, 
     the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation 
     Service is authorized to conduct the mediation or other 
     dispute resolution activities from any other appropriated 
     funds available to the Director and to reimburse such 
     appropriated funds when the funds are appropriated pursuant 
     to this authorization, such reimbursement to be credited to 
     appropriations currently available at the time of receipt 
     thereof.
       ``(2) Maintenance of civil action in district court by 
     aggrieved person.--An H-2A worker aggrieved by a violation of 
     rights enforceable under subsection (b) by an agricultural 
     employer or other person may file suit in any district court 
     of the United States having jurisdiction of the parties, 
     without regard to the amount in controversy, without regard 
     to the citizenship of the parties, and without regard to the 
     exhaustion of any alternative administrative remedies under 
     this Act, not later than 3 years after the date the violation 
     occurs.
       ``(3) Election.--An H-2A worker who has filed an 
     administrative complaint with the Secretary of Labor may not 
     maintain a civil action under paragraph (2) unless a 
     complaint based on the same violation filed with the 
     Secretary of Labor under subsection (a)(1) is withdrawn prior 
     to the filing of such action, in which case the rights and 
     remedies available under this subsection shall be exclusive.
       ``(4) Preemption of state contract rights.--Nothing in this 
     Act shall be construed to diminish the rights and remedies of 
     an H-2A worker under any other Federal or State law or 
     regulation or under any collective bargaining agreement, 
     except that no court or administrative action shall be 
     available under any State contract law to enforce the rights 
     created by this Act.
       ``(5) Waiver of rights prohibited.--Agreements by employees 
     purporting to waive or modify their rights under this Act 
     shall be void as contrary to public policy, except that a 
     waiver or modification of the rights or obligations in favor 
     of the Secretary of Labor shall be valid for purposes of the 
     enforcement of this Act. The preceding sentence may not be 
     construed to prohibit agreements to settle private disputes 
     or litigation.
       ``(6) Award of damages or other equitable relief.--
       ``(A) If the court finds that the respondent has 
     intentionally violated any of the rights enforceable under 
     subsection (b), it shall award actual damages, if any, or 
     equitable relief.
       ``(B) Any civil action brought under this section shall be 
     subject to appeal as provided in chapter 83 of title 28, 
     United States Code.
       ``(7) Workers' compensation benefits; exclusive remedy.--
       ``(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, 
     where a State's workers' compensation law is applicable and 
     coverage is provided for an H-2A worker, the workers' 
     compensation benefits shall be the exclusive remedy for the 
     loss of such worker under this section in the case of bodily 
     injury or death in accordance with such State's workers' 
     compensation law.
       ``(B) The exclusive remedy prescribed in subparagraph (A) 
     precludes the recovery under paragraph (6) of actual damages 
     for loss from an injury or death but does not preclude other 
     equitable relief, except that such relief shall not include 
     back or front pay or in any manner, directly or indirectly, 
     expand or otherwise alter or affect--
       ``(i) a recovery under a State workers' compensation law; 
     or
       ``(ii) rights conferred under a State workers' compensation 
     law.
       ``(8) Tolling of statute of limitations.--If it is 
     determined under a State workers' compensation law that the 
     workers' compensation law is not applicable to a claim for 
     bodily injury or death of an H-2A worker, the statute of 
     limitations for bringing an action for actual damages for 
     such injury or death under subsection (c) shall be tolled for 
     the period during which the claim for such injury or death 
     under such State workers' compensation law was pending. The 
     statute of limitations for an action for actual damages or 
     other equitable relief arising out of the same transaction or 
     occurrence as the injury or death of the H-2A worker shall be 
     tolled for the period during which the claim for such injury 
     or death was pending under the State workers' compensation 
     law.
       ``(9) Preclusive effect.--Any settlement by an H-2A worker 
     and H-2A employer reached through the mediation process 
     required under subsection (c)(1) shall preclude any right of 
     action arising out of the same facts between the parties in 
     any Federal or State court or administrative proceeding, 
     unless specifically provided otherwise in the settlement 
     agreement.
       ``(10) Settlements.--Any settlement by the Secretary of 
     Labor with an H-2A employer on behalf of an H-2A worker of a 
     complaint filed with the Secretary of Labor under this 
     section or any finding by the Secretary of Labor under 
     subsection (a)(1)(B) shall preclude any right of action 
     arising out of the same facts between the parties under any 
     Federal or State court or administrative proceeding, unless 
     specifically provided otherwise in the settlement agreement.
       ``(d) Discrimination Prohibited.--
       ``(1) In general.--It is a violation of this subsection for 
     any person who has filed an application under section 218(a), 
     to intimidate, threaten, restrain, coerce, blacklist, 
     discharge, or in any other manner discriminate against an 
     employee (which term, for purposes of this subsection, 
     includes a former employee and an applicant for employment) 
     because the employee has disclosed information to the 
     employer, or to any other person, that the employee 
     reasonably believes evidences a violation of section 218 or 
     218A or any rule or regulation pertaining to section 218 or 
     218A, or because the employee cooperates or seeks to 
     cooperate in an investigation or other proceeding concerning 
     the employer's compliance with the requirements of section 
     218 or 218A or any rule or regulation pertaining to either of 
     such sections.
       ``(2) Discrimination against h-2a workers.--It is a 
     violation of this subsection for any person who has filed an 
     application under section 218(a), to intimidate, threaten, 
     restrain, coerce, blacklist, discharge, or in any manner 
     discriminate against an H-2A employee because such worker 
     has, with just cause, filed a complaint with the Secretary of 
     Labor regarding a denial of the rights enumerated and 
     enforceable under subsection (b) or instituted, or caused to 
     be instituted, a private right of action under subsection (c) 
     regarding the denial of the rights enumerated under 
     subsection (b), or has testified or is about to testify in 
     any court proceeding brought under subsection (c).
       ``(e) Authorization To Seek Other Appropriate Employment.--
     The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary shall establish a 
     process under which an H-2A worker who files a complaint 
     regarding a violation of subsection (d) and is otherwise 
     eligible to remain and work in the United States may be 
     allowed to seek other appropriate employment in the United 
     States for a period not to exceed the maximum period of stay 
     authorized for such nonimmigrant classification.
       ``(f) Role of Associations.--
       ``(1) Violation by a member of an association.--An employer 
     on whose behalf an application is filed by an association 
     acting as its agent is fully responsible for such 
     application, and for complying with the terms and conditions 
     of sections 218 and 218A, as though the employer had filed 
     the application itself. If such an employer is determined, 
     under this section, to have committed a violation, the 
     penalty for such violation shall apply only to that member of 
     the association unless the Secretary of Labor determines that 
     the association or other member participated in, had 
     knowledge, or reason to know, of the violation, in which case 
     the penalty shall be invoked against the association or other 
     association member as well.
       ``(2) Violations by an association acting as an employer.--
     If an association filing an application as a sole or joint 
     employer is determined to have committed a violation under 
     this section, the penalty for such violation shall apply only 
     to the association unless the Secretary of Labor determines 
     that an association member or members participated in or had 
     knowledge, or reason to know of the violation, in which case 
     the penalty shall be invoked against the association member 
     or members as well.


                             ``DEFINITIONS

       ``Sec. 218D. For purposes of sections 218 through 218C:
       ``(1) Agricultural employment.--The term `agricultural 
     employment' means any service or activity that is considered 
     to be agricultural under section 3(f) of the Fair Labor 
     Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(f)) or agricultural 
     labor under section 3121(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986 (26 U.S.C. 3121(g)). For purposes of this paragraph, 
     agricultural employment includes employment under section 
     101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a).
       ``(2) Bona fide union.--The term `bona fide union' means 
     any organization in which employees participate and which 
     exists for the purpose of dealing with employers concerning 
     grievances, labor disputes, wages, rates of pay, hours of 
     employment, or other terms and conditions of work for 
     agricultural employees. Such term does not include an 
     organization formed, created, administered, supported, 
     dominated, financed, or controlled by an employer or employer 
     association or its agents or representatives.
       ``(3) Displace.--In the case of an application with respect 
     to 1 or more H-2A workers by an employer, the employer is 
     considered to `displace' a United States worker from a job if 
     the employer lays off the worker from a job for which the H-
     2A worker or workers is or are sought.

[[Page 14576]]

       ``(4) Eligible.--The term `eligible', when used with 
     respect to an individual, means an individual who is not an 
     unauthorized alien (as defined in section 274A(h)(3)).
       ``(5) Employer.--The term `employer' means any person or 
     entity, including any farm labor contractor and any 
     agricultural association, that employs workers in 
     agricultural employment.
       ``(6) H-2A employer.--The term `H-2A employer' means an 
     employer who seeks to hire 1 or more nonimmigrant aliens 
     described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a).
       ``(7) H-2A worker.--The term `H-2A worker' means a 
     nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a).
       ``(8) Job opportunity.--The term `job opportunity' means a 
     job opening for temporary full-time employment at a place in 
     the United States to which United States workers can be 
     referred.
       ``(9) Lays off.--
       ``(A) In general.--The term `lays off', with respect to a 
     worker--
       ``(i) means to cause the worker's loss of employment, other 
     than through a discharge for inadequate performance, 
     violation of workplace rules, cause, voluntary departure, 
     voluntary retirement, contract impossibility (as described in 
     section 218A(b)(4)(D)), or temporary layoffs due to weather, 
     markets, or other temporary conditions; but
       ``(ii) does not include any situation in which the worker 
     is offered, as an alternative to such loss of employment, a 
     similar employment opportunity with the same employer (or, in 
     the case of a placement of a worker with another employer 
     under section 218(b)(2)(E), with either employer described in 
     such section) at equivalent or higher compensation and 
     benefits than the position from which the employee was 
     discharged, regardless of whether or not the employee accepts 
     the offer.
       ``(B) Statutory construction.--Nothing in this paragraph is 
     intended to limit an employee's rights under a collective 
     bargaining agreement or other employment contract.
       ``(10) Regulatory drought.--The term `regulatory drought' 
     means a decision subsequent to the filing of the application 
     under section 218 by an entity not under the control of the 
     employer making such filing which restricts the employer's 
     access to water for irrigation purposes and reduces or limits 
     the employer's ability to produce an agricultural commodity, 
     thereby reducing the need for labor.
       ``(11) Seasonal.--Labor is performed on a `seasonal' basis 
     if--
       (A) ordinarily, it pertains to or is of the kind 
     exclusively performed at certain seasons or periods of the 
     year; and
       (B) from its nature, it may not be continuous or carried on 
     throughout the year.
       ``(12) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
     of Homeland Security.
       ``(13) Temporary.--A worker is employed on a `temporary' 
     basis where the employment is intended not to exceed 10 
     months.
       ``(14) United states worker.--The term `United States 
     worker' means any worker, whether a United States citizen or 
     national, a lawfully admitted permanent resident alien, or 
     any other alien, who is authorized to work in the job 
     opportunity within the United States, except an alien 
     admitted or otherwise provided status under section 
     101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a).''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) is 
     amended by striking the item relating to section 218 and 
     inserting the following:

``Sec. 218. H-2A employer applications.
``Sec. 218A. H-2A employment requirements.
``Sec. 218B. Procedure for admission and extension of stay of H-2A 
              workers.
``Sec. 218C. Worker protections and labor standards enforcement.
``Sec. 218D. Definitions.''.

                  Subtitle C--Miscellaneous Provisions

     SEC. 231. DETERMINATION AND USE OF USER FEES.

       (a) Schedule of Fees.--The Secretary shall establish and 
     periodically adjust a schedule of fees for the employment of 
     aliens under this title, and a collection process for such 
     fees from employers participating in the program provided 
     under this title. Such fees shall be the only fees chargeable 
     to employers for services provided under this title.
       (b) Determination of Schedule.--
       (1) In general.--The schedule under subsection (a) shall 
     reflect a fee rate based on the number of job opportunities 
     indicated in the employer's application under section 218 of 
     the Immigration and Nationality Act, as added by section 221 
     of this title, and sufficient to provide for the direct costs 
     of providing services related to an employer's authorization 
     to employ eligible aliens pursuant to this title, to include 
     the certification of eligible employers, the issuance of 
     documentation, and the admission of eligible aliens.
       (2) Procedure.--
       (A) In general.--In establishing and adjusting such a 
     schedule, the Secretary shall comply with Federal cost 
     accounting and fee setting standards.
       (B) Publication and comment.--The Secretary shall publish 
     in the Federal Register an initial fee schedule and 
     associated collection process and the cost data or estimates 
     upon which such fee schedule is based, and any subsequent 
     amendments thereto, pursuant to which public comment shall be 
     sought and a final rule issued.
       (c) Use of Proceeds.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
     of law, all proceeds resulting from the payment of the alien 
     employment user fees shall be available without further 
     appropriation and shall remain available without fiscal year 
     limitation to reimburse the Secretary, the Secretary of 
     State, and the Secretary of Labor for the costs of carrying 
     out sections 218 and 218B of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act, as added by section 221 of this title, and the 
     provisions of this title.

     SEC. 232. REGULATIONS.

       (a) Regulations of the Secretary.--The Secretary shall 
     consult with the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of 
     Agriculture on all regulations to implement the duties of the 
     Secretary under this title.
       (b) Regulations of the Secretary of State.--The Secretary 
     of State shall consult with the Secretary, the Secretary of 
     Labor, and the Secretary of Agriculture on all regulations to 
     implement the duties of the Secretary of State under this 
     title.
       (c) Regulations of the Secretary of Labor.--The Secretary 
     of Labor shall consult with the Secretary of Agriculture and 
     the Secretary on all regulations to implement the duties of 
     the Secretary of Labor under this title.
       (d) Deadline for Issuance of Regulations.--All regulations 
     to implement the duties of the Secretary, the Secretary of 
     State, and the Secretary of Labor created under sections 218, 
     218A, 218B, and 218C of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 
     as added by section 221, shall take effect on the effective 
     date of section 221 and shall be issued not later than 1 year 
     after the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 233. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       (a) In General.--Except as otherwise provided, sections 221 
     and 231 shall take effect 1 year after the date of enactment 
     of this Act.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prepare and submit 
     to the appropriate committees of the Congress a report that 
     describes the measures being taken and the progress made in 
     implementing this title.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3553. Mr. GRAHAM of South Carolina (for himself and Mr. Pryor) 
submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 
2062, to amend the procedures that apply to consideration of interstate 
class actions to assure fairer outcomes for class members and 
defendants, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the 
table; as follows:

       On page 14, line 12, strike the end quote and period at the 
     end and insert the following:

     ``Sec. 1716. Filing documents under seal

       ``(a) In General.--
       ``(1) Application.--In any class action, any party seeking 
     to file documents under seal shall comply with this section. 
     Any party who fails to obtain prior approval as required 
     under this section shall be denied any request or attempt to 
     seal filed documents. Nothing in this section limits the 
     ability of the parties, by agreement, to restrict access to 
     documents which are not filed with the court.
       ``(2) Exception.--This section shall not apply with respect 
     to any document which is required to be sealed by another 
     applicable statute, rule, or court order.
       ``(b) Memorandum.--
       ``(1) In general.--A party seeking to file documents under 
     seal in a class action shall file and serve a motion to seal 
     accompanied by a memorandum containing the information 
     described under paragraph (2).
       ``(2) Content.--A memorandum under this subsection shall--
       ``(A) identify, with specificity, the documents or portions 
     of those documents for which sealing is requested;
       ``(B) state the reasons why sealing is necessary;
       ``(C) explain (for each document or group of documents) why 
     less drastic alternatives to sealing will not afford adequate 
     protection; and
       ``(D) address the factors governing sealing of documents 
     reflected in any controlling case law.
       ``(c) Attachments To Motion To Seal.--
       ``(1) Index.--A non-confidential descriptive index of the 
     documents at issue shall be attached to the motion to seal.
       ``(2) Confidential information.--A separately sealed 
     attachment labeled `Confidential Information to be Submitted 
     to Court in Connection with Motion to Seal' shall be 
     submitted with the motion to seal. An attachment under this 
     paragraph shall contain the documents at issue for the in 
     camera review by the court and shall not be filed.
       ``(d) Docket.--The docket of the court shall reflect that 
     the motion to seal and memorandum were filed and were 
     supported by a sealed attachment submitted for in camera 
     review.
       ``(e) Public Notice.--The clerk shall provide public notice 
     of the motion to seal in

[[Page 14577]]

     the manner directed by the court. Absent direction to the 
     contrary, public notice may be accomplished by docketing the 
     motion in a manner that discloses its nature as a motion to 
     seal.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3554. Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself and Mr. Kennedy) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2062, to amend 
the procedures that apply to consideration of interstate class actions 
to assure fairer outcomes for class members and defendants, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end, add the following:

              TITLE __--MEDICARE TRUST FUND REIMBURSEMENT

     SECTION __01. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Medicare Trust Fund 
     Reimbursement Act of 2004''.

     SEC. __02. REPAYMENT TO THE MEDICARE TRUST FUNDS OF AMOUNTS 
                   ILLEGALLY DISBURSED FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, if the Comptroller General of the United States 
     determines that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 
     has violated the restriction on expending appropriated funds 
     for publicity or propaganda purposes contained in the 
     Consolidated Appropriations Resolution of 2003, Pub. L. No. 
     108-7, Div. J, Tit. VI, Sec. 626, 117 Stat. 11, 470 (2003), 
     the principal campaign committee (as defined in section 
     301(5) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
     431(5))) of the President of the United States shall 
     reimburse the Federal Government for the amount expended in 
     committing such violation.
       (b) Reimbursement of Medicare Trust Funds.--The amount 
     reimbursed under subsection (a) shall be credited to the 
     Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under section 1817 of 
     the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i) and the Federal 
     Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund under section 1841 
     of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395t).
       (c) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect 
     to determinations made by the Comptroller General on and 
     after May 1, 2004.

                          ____________________