House Concurrent Resolution No. by Representative Butler urges the United States Congress to expand the H-2B worker visa program in its appropriations bill or other legislative measures for Fiscal Year 2027. The H-2B visa program allows employers to temporarily hire non-U.S. citizens for nonagricultural labor, which is particularly vital for seasonal industries in Louisiana, such as crawfish processing and landscaping. The resolution highlights the significant economic contributions of these industries to the state and emphasizes the urgent need for more H-2B visas due to the current statutory cap of 66,000 visas, which has not been updated since 1990 despite substantial economic growth.

The resolution points out that many seasonal employers are facing profitability challenges due to insufficient visa availability and processing delays, with nearly half of them expecting to struggle in 2026. It calls for Congress to take necessary actions to modify the H-2B visa program to better meet the workforce needs of Louisiana businesses, thereby ensuring their continued success and contribution to the state's economy. A copy of the resolution will be sent to the relevant congressional leaders and Louisiana's congressional delegation.