Posts By: Jeff Janas

USCIS Issues New High-Tech Green Cards

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on April 19, 2017, that it will begin issuing revamped Permanent Resident Cards (commonly referred to as “green cards”) and Employment Authorization Documents (EAD Cards) as a part of the Next Generation Secure Identification Document Project. The project is intended to modernize security measures through advanced biometrics…

Approved Prop 1 Safe Drinking Water Grant Program Projects Available on Natural Resources Website

In 2014, California voters passed Proposition 1 (Prop 1), a $7.545 billion statewide ballot initiative also known as the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014. While many people may think of Prop 1 as solely a mechanism for funding water supply infrastructure projects such as surface and groundwater storage, the general obligation ...

Critical Arizona Plant Services Appropriation Reaches Governor’s Desk Ahead of Final Budget Resolution

Legislation that will be part of Arizona’s overall budget deal, HB 2253, was sent to Governor Doug Ducey today after the Senate passed it 28-2. The bill appropriates $150,000 to the Arizona Department of Agriculture’s Plant Services Division to supplement a loss of federal grant funding. The appropriation allows the Department to continue serving the ...

Nassif Responds to Introduction of Senate “Blue Card” Bill

Yesterday, the Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017 was introduced in the U.S. Senate. The bill, which incorporates elements of the “blue card” provisions contained in the failed 2013 Senate immigration bill, would allow undocumented farmworkers who have worked in agriculture for at least 100 days in the previous two years to earn blue card ...

Register for USDA’s Webinar on How to Access Free Market Information on Organics

The USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) is hosting a live, interactive webinar on Organic Reporting within their multiple Market News divisions, including Specialty Crops. Registrants will learn how the AMS’s Market News programs can provide interested parties with FREE access to the market information on organic products.    The webinar will cover areas such as: ...

Trump Administration Formally Announces NAFTA Renegotiation Process to Congress

Today, Congress was formally notified by the Trump administration of its intent to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The notification is necessary to begin a 90-day consultation process with Congress. The administration previously indicated that it would seek to renegotiate a better trade deal with both Mexico and Canada in lieu of ...

Arizona Industrial Commission Updates Minimum Wage and Earned Sick Time FAQs

To assist users with better understanding Proposition 206 (The Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act) and its implementation, the Arizona Industrial Commission recently updated the FAQ’s for minimum wage and earned paid sick time requirements. Proposition 206 is a state-wide ballot initiative that passed in November of 2016. The measure has two parts: 1) a ...

California Labor Commissioner Issues Guidance on Paid Sick Leave Law

The California Labor Commissioner has issued new guidance on the state’s paid sick leave law (“PSL”). The guidance answers questions concerning an employer’s use of a “grandfathered” (existing) paid time off (“PTO”) plan to provide PSL, as well as the application of employer attendance policies when employee use PSL. The new guidance takes into consideration ...

WG Urges Opposition to Bill Expanding Regulatory Reach Over Private Property

AB 975, a bill that would restrict landowner’s water rights and devalue and limit the use of their property within a quarter mile of any river designated as “wild and scenic,” is awaiting a vote by the full Assembly. The legislation is authored by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale). Want more details on why this is ...

Western Growers’ Statement on Senate Immigration Legislation Addressing Existing Farm Workforce

IRVINE, Calif., (May 3, 2017) —Following the introduction of the Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017 in the Senate, Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif released this statement:   “With the introduction of immigration legislation, the Senate elevates an issue often overlooked in the immigration reform debate: Retention of the existing agricultural workforce. To…

LEGISLATOR PROFILE: Arizona Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Yee Representing Arizona’s 20th Legislative District

You were born and raised in Arizona. Tell us a little bit about how you got to be where you are now. I was born and raised in Phoenix, the same legislative district I now represent, which is northwest Phoenix and parts of Glendale. I guess you can say I am “homegrown.” I am the ...