North Dakota Job Service requests $233k to expand H2A Visa Agricultural Program staff

The House Appropriations - Education and Environment Division of the North Dakota State Legislature convened on March 7, 2025, to discuss critical issues affecting the state's agricultural workforce and job service funding. The meeting focused on the H-2A Visa Agricultural Program, budgetary constraints, and the modernization of unemployment insurance systems.

The session began with a presentation on the H-2A Visa Agricultural Program, which assists agricultural employers facing domestic labor shortages by allowing them to hire non-immigrant foreign workers on a seasonal basis. Job Service reported processing 13,315 applications and conducting 1,910 housing inspections, facilitating the placement of 4,321 foreign workers in the last fiscal year alone. David Legaine, a farmer and Towner County Commissioner, emphasized the program's importance, calling it a "lifesaver" for agricultural producers.

However, the program's growth has led to increased demands on Job Service, particularly in housing inspections, which are essential before workers can be placed. To address these challenges, Job Service requested $233,672 in general funds to hire an additional full-time employee and cover related expenses. Without this funding, delays in worker placements could adversely affect agricultural producers.

The meeting also included an update on the unemployment insurance modernization project, funded by $45 million in ARPA funds. Job Service has partnered with Geographic Solutions to create an integrated workforce and unemployment system, with implementation scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026. The project aims to enhance service delivery to citizens.

Budget discussions revealed that Job Service is 93.64% federally funded, with federal funds remaining flat and not adjusted for inflation. This has resulted in a significant reduction in staffing, with Job Service's workforce decreasing by 59% since 2001, despite an increase in the state's population and business community. The agency highlighted the unsustainable nature of the current federal funding model, which does not accommodate state-level cost increases.

Job Service officials expressed concern that without additional state funding, the quality and timeliness of services provided to North Dakota citizens and businesses would be compromised. They requested a general fund appropriation of $950,000 to address inflationary increases in information technology costs, as well as authority for an additional $950,000 to manage rising operational expenses.

The meeting concluded with a clear message: the need for increased funding is critical to maintain the effectiveness of Job Service and its programs, which play a vital role in supporting North Dakota's workforce and economy.