A bipartisan bill set for a hearing this week aims to reverse some provisions of the 2021 farmworkers’ rights bill in Colorado. Senate Bill 128 is tied to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that deemed certain aspects of the 2021 law unconstitutional. The proposed bill would strike language regarding key service providers who have access to farm and ranch properties, which has been a contentious issue between labor and agriculture industries.
Senators Dylan Roberts and Byron Pelton are prime sponsors of the bill, with Representatives Karen McCormick and Ty Winter sponsoring it in the House. The bill has already sparked debate between labor advocates and agriculture industry representatives. Former state agriculture Commissioner Don Brown opposed the 2021 law, citing safety concerns about unauthorized people entering farm properties.
The bill’s supporters believe that by repealing the section of the law tied to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), farmworkers in the country illegally will be better protected. Currently, ICE agents can access farm or ranch properties without warrants, leading to concerns about the safety and rights of undocumented workers. If SB 128 passes, ICE agents would need warrants to enter these properties, providing more protection for all workers.
Colorado State University estimates that a significant percentage of farmworkers in the state are undocumented, highlighting the importance of addressing their rights and safety. The bill is scheduled for a hearing on Thursday in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, setting the stage for further debate on the issue.
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