AgRELIEF Backgrounder
Frequently Asked Questions about the AgRELIEF Act
AgRELIEF Act Home Page
NCAg Immigration Advocacy
NCAg Position on Immigration Reform

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Audio Files from Senate Agriculture & Environment Committee

4/30/09

Senator Bob Atwater - Introducing the AgRELIEF Act	Peter Daniels, NC Farm Bureau - Speaking on the AgRELIEF Act
Senator A.B. Swindell	Pender Sharp, Sharp Farms - Speaking in Favor of AgRELIEF Act
Barbara Riley, NC Legislative Staff - Clarifying Inclusion of all NC farmers	Senator Jerry Tillman - Motion for Favorable Report
	Senator Ellie Kinnaird - Question Regarding Advisory Committee Senator Ellie Kinnaird - Question Regarding Origin of Bill Senator Ellie Kinnaird - Question Regarding Funding
Senator Dan Clodfelter - Speaking in Favor of the AgRELIEF Act	Senator David Weinstein - Taking Vote on AgRELIEF Act

• The AgRELIEF Act is enabling legislation to establish a cost-share program to assist any NC farmer with the upfront expenses required in order to use the federal H-2a visa program to hire LEGAL interim/temporary farmworkers.
• The AgRELIEF Act is a "First in the Nation" pilot program and represents a positive, pro-active step for State government to encourage and assist farmers with hiring legal farmworkers..
• The AgRELIEF Act cost-share fund will be funded through private donations and grants. NO state funding for this program.
• The AgRELIEF Act will cover up to 50% (with a cap of $50,000) of the "up-front" expenses paid by farmers for each worker including up to $300 for all round-trip transportation and subsistence costs for workers to/from country of origin; up to $325 for all processing charges and administrative fees and dues; any state department visa fees and border patrol crossing fees; any US consulate application and appointment fees.
• The AgRELIEF Act requires farmers to provide documentation for approved housing, workers' compensation insurance for workers, proof of insurance for vehicles transporting workers, pesticide training, compliance with all federal requirements to ensure any legally authorized US worker is hired who is available, able and willing.
• The AgRELIEF Act provides for an advisory committee to be established to solicit and review applications and process application based on date of submission as long as funding is available; and to submit a report to NC House and Senate Joint NER appropriations subcommittee.
• The AgRELIEF Act will assist farmers who are already bearing the high expense to use legal farmworkers; and hopefully will encourage farmers who have been resistant to using the program due to the high "up-front" expense to re-examine the program