The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the 2026 Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR), with the new rates taking effect immediately in most states. For states not covered by the ongoing Farmworker Protection Rule litigation, the new rates became effective on August 3. However, for several watermelon-producing states—including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Virginia—implementation is delayed until August 17 under the court order currently in place. The Department also recalculated the national average AEWR used for H-2ALC surety bonds, reducing it from $17.74 to $15.96, which is expected to lower bonding costs for affected employers and contractors.
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