What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
Save Our Seafood Act This bill establishes that the annual numerical cap on temporary nonagricultural worker (H-2B) visas does not apply to fish processors. Under current law, up to 66,000 H-2B visas may be issued in a year, with additional visas available to certain classes of workers who are exempt from this cap, including fish roe processors.
Action Timeline
2025-04-03
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
2025-04-03
Introduced in Senate
Frequently Asked Questions
Did S.1292 pass?
S.1292 is still alive. Current stage: COMMITTEE. Pass likelihood: 34%.
What does S.1292 do?
Save Our Seafood Act This bill establishes that the annual numerical cap on temporary nonagricultural worker (H-2B) visas does not apply to fish processors. Under current law, up to 66,000 H-2B visas may be issued in a year, with additional visas available to certain classes of workers who are exempt from this cap, including fish roe processors.
Who sponsored S.1292?
S.1292 was sponsored by Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).
Full Bill Text
108 S1292 IS: Save Our Seafood Act U.S. Senate 2025-04-03 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1292 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 3, 2025 Ms. Murkowski (for herself, Mr. Kaine , Mr. Warner , Mr. Van Hollen , Mr. Kennedy , Mr. Cassidy , Mr. Tillis , and Ms. Alsobrooks ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To permanently authorize the exemption of aliens working as fish processors from the numerical limitation on H–2B nonimmigrant visas. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Save Our Seafood Act . 2. Exemption of aliens working as fish processors from the numerical limitation on H–2B nonimmigrant visas (a) In general Section 214(g)(10) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(10) ) is amended— (1) by striking The numerical limitations of paragraph (1)(B) and inserting (A) The numerical limitation under paragraph (1)(B) ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (B) (i) The numerical limitation under paragraph (1)(B) shall not apply to any nonimmigrant alien issued a visa or otherwise provided status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) who is employed (or has received an offer of employment)— (I) as a fish roe processor, a fish roe technician, or a supervisor of fish roe processing; or (II) as a fish processor. (ii) As used in clause (i)— (I) the term fish means fresh or saltwater finfish, mollusks, crustaceans, and all other forms of aquatic animal life, including the roe of such animals, other than marine mammals and birds; and (II) the term processor — (aa) means any person engaged in the processing of fish, including handling, storing, preparing, heading, eviscerating, shucking, freezing, changing into different market forms, manufacturing, preserving, packing, labeling, dockside unloading, holding, and all other processing activities; and (bb) does not include any person engaged in— (AA) harvesting or transporting fish or fishery products without otherwise engaging in processing; (BB) practices such as heading, eviscerating, or freezing intended solely to prepare a fish for holding on board a harvest vessel; or (CC) operating a retail establishment. . (b) Repeal Section 14006 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2005 ( Public Law 108–287 ) is repealed.
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