Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) have introduced the bipartisan State Sponsored Visa Pilot Program Act of 2026, legislation that would establish a pilot program allowing states to sponsor temporary visas based on their unique workforce needs, subject to federal approval and oversight.
Under the proposal, participating states would identify labor shortages and sponsor eligible workers or investors while the federal government would continue to oversee security screenings, visa issuance, and immigration enforcement. States would also be required to assess workforce needs, protect against the displacement of U.S. workers, monitor compliance, and report regularly to the Department of Homeland Security. If enacted, the pilot program could provide states with greater flexibility to respond to regional labor market needs, including in sectors that continue to experience significant workforce shortages.
More information, including the bill text, can be found
here. AHCA/NCAL will monitor this bill and provide any relevant updates to its members.