12-R221

2012 -- S 2903

Enacted 04/26/12

 

 

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT THE UNITED STATES LABOR SECRETARY

WITHDRAW THE PROPOSAL TO MODIFY STUDENT LEARNER EXEMPTIONS IN

AGRICULTURE UNDER THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT

     

     

     Introduced By: Senators Maher, Sosnowski, Kettle, Hodgson, and Shibley

     Date Introduced: April 26, 2012

 

     

 

     WHEREAS, The citizens of the State of Rhode Island have long enjoyed a proud

agricultural tradition; and

     WHEREAS, The economic impact of Rhode Island agriculture continues to grow, even

through this recession, supporting both the fiscal and physical health of our state; and

     WHEREAS, Organizations such as the Future Farmers of America and 4-H have long

served Rhode Island and the United States by helping to educate our children with economic and

life skills necessary to cultivate a green economy by providing access to practical experience in

agriculture; and

     WHEREAS, The Secretary of the United States Department of Labor has proposed

severely limiting access to Student Learner Exemptions for Agriculture under the Fair Labor

Standards Act, exemptions which have allowed generations of American children to gain

practical skills in farming; and  

     WHEREAS, The average age of the American farmer is over 50 years; and

     WHEREAS, The proposed changes will serve as a barrier to engagement with agriculture

to Rhode Island youth; and

     WHEREAS, These proposed regulatory changes will undermine the agricultural

economy and tradition of Rhode Island and the United States; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby respectfully requests that the Secretary withdraw said proposal to modify Student Learner

Exemptions in Agriculture under the Fair Labor Standards Act; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the United States Department

of Labor, Hilda Solis.

     

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LC02524

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