The Department of Homeland Security increased the number of H-2B visas allotted for the fiscal year 2023 by 64,716 visas October 12.

The IA sent a letter to Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation, emphasizing water efficient drought solutions in the West.

The new hourly pay minimum will impact 67,000 out of 2.2 million federal civilian employees.

Created by the IA, the EPA and other NGOs, the WaterSense program covers water-efficient performance measures.

Signed into law by President Joe Biden Nov. 15, Western water infrastructure funding stands among the top of the $1 trillion package.

The bill, having passed the Senate, moves toward a final vote scheduled for the end of September.

H.R. 3897 would allow 160,000 seasonal workers every year among other changes.

This legislation would enact H-2B reforms and cap relief through a returning worker exception.

The H-2B visas will be made available in the coming months.

Karla Segundo joins as the association’s manager of government relations.