2012 -- S 2903

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LC02524

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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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

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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

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agricultural tradition; and

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

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

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

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

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

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agriculture; and

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

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

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

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practical skills in farming; and  

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

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

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to Rhode Island youth; and

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     WHEREAS, These proposed regulatory changes will undermine the agricultural

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

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

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

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

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

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

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of Labor, Hilda Solis.

     

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LC02524

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S2903