SB-846 • 2026

Liens: harvested crops.

Agriculture Labor

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: McNerney
Last action: 2025-07-14
Official status: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 57, Statutes of 2025.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on when the bill will take effect, nor does it mention that workers can request payment through a bond from the Labor Commissioner.

Harvested Crops Liens

This law removes restrictions on liens for workers who harvest or transport crops, allowing them to claim any harvested crops as payment if the farm owner does not pay.

What This Bill Does

Removes a rule that only allowed liens on crops owned by limited partnerships.
Allows workers to put a lien on any harvested crops, no matter who owns them.

Who It Names or Affects

Farm workers who harvest or transport crops
Farm owners and managers

Terms To Know

lien: A legal claim on property to secure payment of a debt, like unpaid wages.
bond: An agreement that guarantees the payment of money or fulfillment of an obligation.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify when it will take effect.
It only changes rules for liens on crops, not other types of farm products.

Bill History

2025-07-14 California Legislative Information
Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 57, Statutes of 2025.
2025-07-14 California Legislative Information
Approved by the Governor.
2025-07-03 California Legislative Information
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 11:15 a.m.
2025-06-23 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
2025-06-23 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 71. Noes 0. Page 2248.) Ordered to the Senate.
2025-06-18 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar.
2025-06-17 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. Ordered to consent calendar. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (June 17).
2025-05-29 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on JUD.
2025-05-15 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
2025-05-15 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 34. Noes 0. Page 1090.) Ordered to the Assembly.
2025-05-08 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar.
2025-05-07 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. Ordered to consent calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0. Page 1027.) (May 6).
2025-04-11 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing May 6.
2025-04-02 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
2025-03-26 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
2025-03-12 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on RLS.
2025-02-24 California Legislative Information
Read first time.
2025-02-24 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 24.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 846, McNerney.
Liens: harvested crops.
Existing law extends to any person who, as an employee, and by their own labor, performs work harvesting or transporting harvested crops or farm products that are owned and grown or produced by a limited partnership, a lien upon the severed crops or farm products, or proceeds from their sale, for the value of the labor done, unless the owner who otherwise would be subject to a lien gives the Labor Commissioner a bond that is conditioned upon the payment of all wages found to be due and unpaid in connection with the operations, as specified.
This bill would remove the condition on imposition of a lien, as described above, that the crops or farm products be owned and grown or produced by a limited partnership.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF