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SB-801 • 2026

Agricultural workers: wages, hours, and working conditions: definitions.

Agricultural workers: wages, hours, and working conditions: definitions.

Energy Labor
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Hurtado
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not provide details about specific labor protections for sheepherders or goat herders beyond excluding them from overtime requirements under the Phase-In Overtime Act.

Agricultural Workers: Wage and Working Condition Definitions

This legislation updates definitions related to agricultural workers' wages, hours, and working conditions by excluding sheepherders or goat herders from overtime requirements set by the Phase-In Overtime for Agricultural Workers Act of 2016.

What This Bill Does

  • Updates the definition of 'employed in an agricultural occupation' to exclude sheepherders or goat herders from overtime requirements under the Phase-In Overtime for Agricultural Workers Act of 2016.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Agricultural employers in California
  • Sheepherders or goat herders employed in agricultural occupations

Terms To Know

Phase-In Overtime for Agricultural Workers Act of 2016
A law that gradually increases overtime pay requirements for workers in agricultural jobs.
Department of Industrial Relations
The California state agency responsible for improving working conditions and promoting the welfare of wage earners.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify how or when the Department of Industrial Relations will update wage orders.
  • The bill's intent to consider cost burdens on Californians is a statement of future legislative action, not an immediate requirement.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2025-04-30 California Legislative Information

    April 30 set for first hearing. Testimony taken. Further hearing to be set.

  3. 2025-04-11 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing April 30.

  4. 2025-04-02 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.

  5. 2025-03-24 California Legislative Information

    From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.

  6. 2025-03-12 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on RLS.

  7. 2025-02-24 California Legislative Information

    Read first time.

  8. 2025-02-24 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 24.

  9. 2025-02-21 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 801, as amended, Hurtado.
Greenhouse gases: reduction.
Agricultural workers: wages, hours, and working conditions: definitions.
Existing law sets wage, hour, meal break requirements, and other working conditions for employees and requires an employer to pay overtime wages to an employee who works in excess of a workday or workweek. Existing law establishes the Department of Industrial Relations and provides that one of its functions is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners of California, to improve their working conditions, and to advance their opportunities for profitable employment.
Existing law establishes specific labor protections for sheepherders and goat herders, as defined, relating to wages, meal and rest periods, lodging, and other conditions of
employment. Existing law imposes civil penalties, as prescribed, for violations of these provisions.
Existing law, the Phase-In Overtime for Agricultural Workers Act of 2016, establishes a schedule that phases in overtime requirements for persons employed in an agricultural occupation, as defined. The act, beginning January 1, 2022, among other things, requires that any work performed by a person employed in an agricultural occupation in excess of 12 hours per day be compensated at a rate of no less than twice the employee’s regular rate of pay. Existing law requires the Department of Industrial Relations to update a specific wage order of the Industrial Welfare Commission governing agricultural occupations to be consistent with the act, except in specified circumstances in which the existing wage order offers greater protections. The act defines the term “employed in an agricultural occupation” for these purposes as having the same meaning as
in that wage order.
For purposes of the Phase-In Overtime for Agricultural Workers Act of 2016, this bill would create an exception from the above-described definition for sheepherders or goat herders, as defined in that order.
The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 establishes the State Air Resources Board as the state agency responsible for monitoring and regulating sources emitting greenhouse gases and requires the state board to ensure that statewide greenhouse gas emissions are reduced to at least 40% below the 1990 level by 2030. The act declares the policy of the state to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, but no later than 2045, and to achieve and maintain net negative greenhouse gas emissions thereafter. The act requires the state board to prepare and approve a scoping plan for achieving the maximum technologically feasible and cost-effective reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and to update the scoping plan at least once every 5 years.
This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation
that would require the state to consider any potential cost burden to Californians as it works on achieving its climate goals, including its greenhouse gas emissions goals and standards under the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.

Current Bill Text

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