SB-801
Labor & Employment

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

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Excludes sheepherders and goat herders from agricultural worker overtime protections.
  • Modifies existing labor laws to create separate classification for herding occupations.
  • Affects wage and hour requirements for herding workers previously covered under agricultural rules.
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Summary

Senator Hurtado's agricultural labor legislation carves out sheepherders and goat herders from California's standard agricultural worker overtime and wage requirements by modifying their classification under state labor law.

The bill amends the definition of "employed in an agricultural occupation" in the Labor Code to exclude sheepherders and goat herders, as defined by Industrial Welfare Commission Order No. 14-2001. This change removes these workers from provisions of the Phase-In Overtime for Agricultural Workers Act of 2016, which established graduated overtime pay requirements for agricultural employees working beyond specified daily and weekly hour thresholds. Under current law, agricultural workers receive double their regular pay rate for work exceeding 12 hours per day.

While the amendment maintains existing specialized labor protections for sheepherders and goat herders regarding wages, meal periods, rest breaks, and housing conditions, it separates their overtime compensation structure from the broader agricultural workforce. The Department of Industrial Relations oversees enforcement of these distinct sets of requirements for different categories of agricultural employees.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Melissa Hurtado
Melissa HurtadoD
California State Senator

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Latest Voting History

No Voting History Available
N/A
There are currently no voting records for this bill.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Rules
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Rules
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Senate Floor
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Maria DurazoD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lola Smallwood-CuevasD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 5 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 1
Select All Legislators
Profile
Maria DurazoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Lola Smallwood-CuevasD
Senator
Committee Member

Key Takeaways

  • Excludes sheepherders and goat herders from agricultural worker overtime protections.
  • Modifies existing labor laws to create separate classification for herding occupations.
  • Affects wage and hour requirements for herding workers previously covered under agricultural rules.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Melissa Hurtado
Melissa HurtadoD
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Hurtado's agricultural labor legislation carves out sheepherders and goat herders from California's standard agricultural worker overtime and wage requirements by modifying their classification under state labor law.

The bill amends the definition of "employed in an agricultural occupation" in the Labor Code to exclude sheepherders and goat herders, as defined by Industrial Welfare Commission Order No. 14-2001. This change removes these workers from provisions of the Phase-In Overtime for Agricultural Workers Act of 2016, which established graduated overtime pay requirements for agricultural employees working beyond specified daily and weekly hour thresholds. Under current law, agricultural workers receive double their regular pay rate for work exceeding 12 hours per day.

While the amendment maintains existing specialized labor protections for sheepherders and goat herders regarding wages, meal periods, rest breaks, and housing conditions, it separates their overtime compensation structure from the broader agricultural workforce. The Department of Industrial Relations oversees enforcement of these distinct sets of requirements for different categories of agricultural employees.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Rules
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Rules
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Senate Floor
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Latest Voting History

No Voting History Available
N/A
There are currently no voting records for this bill.

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Maria DurazoD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lola Smallwood-CuevasD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 5 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 1
Select All Legislators
Profile
Maria DurazoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Lola Smallwood-CuevasD
Senator
Committee Member