Bipartisan Bill Proposes State-Led Visa Program to Address Labor Shortages
Utah Sen. John Curtis, alongside Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, has introduced a bill proposing a state-led, voluntary visa program to address labor shortages. This initiative would allow state legislatures to manage their own temporary migrant workforce based on local…
Salt Lake City, UT, August 3, 2026 —
Senators John Curtis (R-Utah) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) have introduced new legislation that would establish a state-led, voluntary visa program designed to combat labor shortages across the nation.
The proposed bill would empower state legislatures to create and manage their own temporary migrant workforce programs, tailoring them to meet specific local economic demands. This approach mirrors a previous attempt by Utah in 2011, which sought to implement a similar program but did not receive federal approval.
According to the bill’s proponents, the initiative aims to provide a structured mechanism for businesses and industries to identify and fill critical labor gaps. The bipartisan effort emphasizes the importance of addressing workforce needs identified at the state and local levels.
A key component of the proposed program involves rigorous federal vetting processes for all visa applicants. This measure is intended to ensure national security and compliance while facilitating the entry of temporary workers to support struggling sectors of the economy.
The bill seeks to offer a flexible solution to labor deficits, allowing states to respond more directly to the unique challenges faced by their economies. The success of such a program hinges on federal authorization, which was not granted to Utah’s earlier initiative.
Further details regarding the specific timeline for the bill’s consideration and potential economic impact projections were not immediately available.
Story summarized from the original created by Brigham Tomco on www.deseret.com, see more information here.