Page 47 - Free State Summer 2023

labor shortages in seasonal industries such as landscaping, management and risk mitigation.
food service, hospitality, and seafood processing. January • Establish a consistent national and State-level outreach
2022 saw a 41% increase in requests for H-2B workers from message and educational campaign for the public and
the prior fiscal year, with demand only continuing to grow industries at risk for spreading spotted lanternfly.
since, as seasonal industries face one of the worst labor
shortages in decades. Yet, the 66,000 visa H-2B cap has not SLF has spread to 13 additional states since it was first
been raised by Congress in decades, other than through detected in Pennsylvania in 2014. Spotted lanternflies may
temporary measures, leaving many businesses unable to feed on a wide range of crops and plants, including grapes,
access an adequate seasonal workforce. apples, hops, walnuts and hardwood trees.
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/
Members of our industry know how important these
publications/plant_health/slf-strategy.pdf
workers are in supporting and sustaining American
businesses in the horticulture market chain. A returning Craig Regelbrugge
worker exemption would allow workers who have already
participated in this program to return to businesses that
have come to rely on their support. However, there is a
long and difficult road ahead before cap relief can be
assured. Under normal legislative process, this and 11 other
appropriations bills would be debated and voted on by
the full House. The Senate, meanwhile, would debate and
advance its own version, and differences would then need
to be reconciled with the House. Yet in recent years, the
appropriations process has been anything but normal.
Still, it is no small feat that this language is included in this
bill. As those who have been following the Committee
process know, there is a growing consensus among
leaders in Congress that labor shortages in seasonal
industries must be addressed. This amendment was
discussed, debated, and fought for by a bipartisan group
of members. We especially thank Appropriations Chair Kay
Granger (R-TX), Subcommittee Chair Dave Joyce (R-OH),
Subcommittee Ranking Member Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Dr.
Andy Harris (R-MD), Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Rep.
Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) for their leadership on this
first but crucial step.

Marlo Hicks and Sara Neagu-Reed

Spotted Lanternfly Strategy Announced
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Craig J. Regelbrugge
Spotted Lanternfly Strategic Planning Working Group has Executive Vice President of Advocacy, Research
released the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) Five-Year Strategy & Industry Relations at AmericanHort
for fiscal years 2024-2028 (see link below). The five-year 202-789-8111
strategy for this introduced invasive pest prioritizes the
following goals:
Sara Neagu-Read
• Effectively limit the advancement of spotted lanternfly Director, Advocacy and Government Affairs at
and efficiently respond to its introduction within Federal AmericanHort
and State authority and resource availability.
• Support continued scientific research towards practical

Get Active. Stay Involved. • SUMMER 2023 47