READ COLORADO HOUSE BILL 08-1325

Colorado HB 08-1325:

"CONCERNING THE COLORADO NONIMMIGRANT AGRICULTURAL SEASONAL WORKER PILOT PROGRAM, AND MAKING AN APPROPRIATION THEREFOR."

Can anybody tell me what a 'nonimmigrant' is? The term is not defined in the bill's definitions.

"(k) It is the purpose of this act to remove constraints on commerce
caused by activities detrimental to Colorado's agriculture industry and to
allow the Colorado department of labor and employment, in cooperation
with the Colorado commissioner of agriculture, to establish a Colorado
nonimmigrant agricultural seasonal worker pilot program and to assure
necessary protections for nonimmigrant and seasonal agricultural workers;"

"(l) The Colorado department of labor and employment, the Colorado
commissioner of agriculture, and approved agents will work closely with
the United States department of labor, the United States citizenship and
immigration services, and the United States department of state to provide
for a timely, efficient, and effective process for workers participating in the
Colorado nonimmigrant agricultural seasonal worker pilot program and the
H-2A visa certification process;

(m) The Colorado nonimmigrant agricultural seasonal worker pilot
program will include provisions for accountability, enforcement, and
oversight;

(n) The Colorado nonimmigrant agricultural seasonal worker pilot
program is an effort to save Colorado's agriculture economy from further
harm, Colorado's farmers from additional closures due to labor shortages,
and to provide Colorado consumers with the finest products in the world at
a reasonable price, in a timely manner, and in a dependable way; and"

"(d) FILING FOR VISA PETITION APPROVAL AND COORDINATING VISA
ISSUANCE BY THE UNITED STATES CONSULATE OR EMBASSY IN THE
WORKER'S COUNTRY OF ORIGIN."

What authority verifies the nonimmigrants identity and nation of origin?

"(4) THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED THE NONIMMIGRANT
AGRICULTURAL SEASONAL WORKER PILOT PROGRAM ADVISORY COUNCIL.
THE ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS SHALL BE THE COMMISSIONER OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE, THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT OR HIS OR HER
DESIGNEE, THE CHAIRS OF THE HOUSE BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND LABOR
COMMITTEE AND THE SENATE BUSINESS, LABOR, AND TECHNOLOGY
COMMITTEE, THE CHAIRS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE AGRICULTURE,
LIVESTOCK, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEES, OR THEIR SUCCESSOR
COMMITTEES, AND THREE APPOINTEES OF THE GOVERNOR, ONE WHO IS A
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY, ONE WHO HAS
EXPERIENCE IN IMMIGRATION SERVICES, AND ONE WHO IS A REPRESENTATIVE
PAGE 7-HOUSE BILL 08-1325

OF A MIGRANT WORKER ADVOCACY GROUP. MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY
COUNCIL ARE ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR ACTUAL AND NECESSARY
EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES. THE ADVISORY
COUNCIL SHALL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ADOPTION OF RULES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 8-3.5-112 AND SHALL ASSIST IN THE PREPARATION OF
THE REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PURSUANT TO SECTION 8-3.5-111.
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHALL CONSULT WITH HEALTH INSURANCE
CARRIERS IN THIS STATE TO DETERMINE THE AVAILABILITY OF HEALTH
INSURANCE PLANS FOR EMPLOYEES PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM. THE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHALL INCLUDE IN THE REPORT TO THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY ANY LEGISLATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS DEEMED NECESSARY TO
MAKE HEALTH INSURANCE AVAILABLE TO SEASONAL AGRICULTURAL
WORKERS."

SWEET!

Click on the title of this post to read the rest of the 'ACT'. How long before New Mexico enacts a similar measure? What if a county opposes such an act? Would the nonimmigrant simply flash their H2-A card and assume the county has no authority or jurisdiction concerning 'nonimmigrants'.