Northern Mariana Islands Labor Stabilization Act
Latest action (20 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 9787, the Northern Mariana Islands Labor Stabilization Act, would amend the Covenant governing the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to revise the "Commonwealth Only Transitional Worker" (CW) foreign labor program. It would extend the program's transition period to at least December 31, 2039, with a mechanism allowing the Secretary of Labor to grant further 10-year extensions based on periodic labor-needs assessments. It sets a numerical cap on CW permits of up to 15,000 annually, adds a separate allocation of 3,000 permits for construction and extraction workers, changes prevailing-wage calculations, extends certain renewal and long-term worker provisions, adds a $150 employer enforcement fee, and applies Guam's temporary labor certification procedures to the CNMI. It also makes related changes to immigration and public-benefits eligibility rules affecting long-term CNMI residents and certain unlawfully present workers.
The bill primarily affects CNMI employers who rely on foreign labor, foreign workers admitted under the CW program, and CNMI's government and residents, as well as federal agencies (Department of Labor, Department of Homeland Security) responsible for administering the program. It also affects certain long-term foreign workers' immigration status and access to some federal benefits.
The bill was introduced on July 20, 2026, by Rep. Kimberlyn King-Hinds and referred to the House Committees on the Judiciary and Natural Resources. It has not yet received committee action, floor votes, or Senate consideration, and would need to pass both chambers and be signed by the President to become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 20, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9787 do?
- H.R. 9787, the Northern Mariana Islands Labor Stabilization Act, would amend the Covenant governing the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to revise the "Commonwealth Only Transitional Worker" (CW) foreign labor program. It would extend the program's transition period to at least December 31, 2039, with a mechanism allowing the Secretary of Labor to grant further 10-year extensions based on periodic labor-needs assessments. It sets a numerical cap on CW permits of up to 15,000 annually, adds a separate allocation of 3,000 permits for construction and extraction workers, changes prevailing-wage calculations, extends certain renewal and long-term worker provisions, adds a $150 employer enforcement fee, and applies Guam's temporary labor certification procedures to the CNMI. It also makes related changes to immigration and public-benefits eligibility rules affecting long-term CNMI residents and certain unlawfully present workers. The bill primarily affects CNMI employers who rely on foreign labor, foreign workers admitted under the CW program, and CNMI's government and residents, as well as federal agencies (Department of Labor, Department of Homeland Security) responsible for administering the program. It also affects certain long-term foreign workers' immigration status and access to some federal benefits. The bill was introduced on July 20, 2026, by Rep. Kimberlyn King-Hinds and referred to the House Committees on the Judiciary and Natural Resources. It has not yet received committee action, floor votes, or Senate consideration, and would need to pass both chambers and be signed by the President to become law.
- Has H.R. 9787 become law?
- Not yet. As of 20 Jul 2026, H.R. 9787 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9787?
- H.R. 9787 was sponsored by Rep. Kimberlyn King-Hinds [R-MP] (Republican-MP), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9787?
- Introduced (20 Jul 2026).
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