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House leaders introduce bill to address farm labor issues

A bipartisan group of lawmakers have introduced a bill in the U.S. House to provide a path to legal status for farmworkers.

The Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Democrat Zoe Lofgren of California and Republican Dan Newhouse of Washington, establishes a program for farmworkers to earn legal status, improves existing temporary worker programs and implements a mandatory electronic employment verification for the ag industry.

Dairy farmer Brody Stapel, president of Edge Dairy Cooperative, says the legislation might be the best opportunity in the foreseeable future for a labor solution for farmers who struggle to find year-round workers.