Committee debate on agricultural minimum wage ends with failed amendment; housing and exemptions remain unresolved

The committee took up H43, a bill that retains a minimum‑wage provision for agricultural workers and asks the labor department to report on housing‑deduction recommendations. Members debated the bill’s effect on small farms, dairy operations and housing practices and ultimately rejected a proposed amendment.

Chair summarized that the bill had been pared down after feedback: overtime provisions were removed but the minimum‑wage item remained, and the bill requests a report from the labor department on what deduction should apply for employer‑provided housing. Several members said they support the principle that anyone who works should be entitled to minimum wage, while others — including members with farming backgrounds — urged caution, citing thin margins, housing costs, and the practical consequences of mandatory changes.

Representative Bartholomew moved to adopt an amendment (draft 2.1) intended to adjust parts of the bill. After debate the clerk called the roll and the motion failed. Committee members who spoke in opposition warned that enforcement costs, payroll taxes and housing‑valuation complications could harm small farms; proponents framed the measure as an overdue step toward ensuring wages for agricultural workers.

The committee did not adopt the amendment; the record shows a roll call on the motion with a majority voting no. Members said the broader questions about housing valuation, inspection protocols and how to handle H‑2A workers require further study and might be addressed in follow‑up work during the session.