All Roll Calls
Yes: 189 • No: 42
CaliforniaAB 13622025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Foreign labor contractor registration: agricultural workers.
Sponsored By: Ash Kalra (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Bonds and fees for recruiters
If you recruit foreign workers, you must post a surety bond. The bond is $50,000 if receipts are up to $500,000; $100,000 for $500,001 to $2,000,000; and $150,000 if higher. If a final judgment equals your bond, you must post another bond within 60 days. You also pay registration and filing fees set by the Labor Commissioner.
Heavy fines and jail for violations
Breaking this law is a misdemeanor. You can be fined up to $1,000, jailed up to six months, or both. Each civil violation also carries a fine of $1,000 to $25,000, in addition to other remedies. You are not criminally liable for a contractor’s acts if the contractor was registered by the first day you engaged them.
Stronger rights and help to recover wages
Workers can recover the greater of actual damages or set amounts per employee: $500 for an initial violation and $1,000 for each later one. Courts can also award costs and reasonable attorney’s fees. The Labor Commissioner can issue citations, file civil actions, and use contractor bonds to pay awards. The Commissioner can take and sue on bond claims for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
New registration rules for foreign recruiters
The law defines who counts as a foreign labor contractor and foreign worker, including recruiting done outside the U.S. It applies to H-2B recruiters now, and to H-2A farm recruiters starting July 1, 2027. Starting July 1, 2027, farm labor contractors who recruit foreign workers must register. Applicants must file a sworn application with owners and plans, and list each federal visa program used on and after July 1, 2027. People with certain trafficking or labor law violations cannot register. The Labor Commissioner posts a public list of approved and denied contractors.
Use registered recruiters to avoid liability
If you hire a foreign labor contractor who was registered by the first day of work, you are not jointly and severally liable for that contractor’s acts under this law. This reduces your legal and financial risk when you use a properly registered recruiter.
Study on expanding visa coverage
The Department of Industrial Relations must deliver a study by January 1, 2028 on expanding registration to other visa programs. The department may hire a third party to do the study. This section is repealed on January 1, 2029.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Ash Kalra
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Damon Connolly
Democratic • House
John Harabedian
Democratic • House
John Laird
Democratic • Senate
Alex Lee
Democratic • House
Tina McKinnor
Democratic • House
Liz Ortega
Democratic • House
Catherine Stefani
Democratic • House
Aisha Wahab
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 9/11/2025
Item 53 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 59 • No: 16
Senate vote • 9/10/2025
Item 205 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 30 • No: 8
legislature vote • 8/29/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 5 • No: 2
legislature vote • 8/18/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 7 • No: 0
legislature vote • 7/8/2025
Vote in CS53
Yes: 11 • No: 1
legislature vote • 6/18/2025
Vote in CS56
Yes: 4 • No: 1
House vote • 6/2/2025
Item 281 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 57 • No: 12
legislature vote • 5/23/2025
Vote in CX25
Yes: 11 • No: 2
legislature vote • 4/23/2025
Vote in CX14
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 190, Statutes of 2025.
10/1/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
10/1/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
9/23/2025legislatureSenate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 59. Noes 16. Page 3310.).
9/11/2025HouseIn Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
9/10/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 30. Noes 8. Page 2814.).
9/10/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
9/8/2025SenateRead third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
9/5/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
8/29/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (August 29).
8/29/2025SenateIn committee: Referred to suspense file.
8/18/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 1.) (July 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
7/9/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 4. Noes 1.) (June 18). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
6/18/2025SenateReferred to Coms. on L., P.E. & R. and JUD.
6/11/2025SenateIn Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
6/3/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 57. Noes 12. Page 1888.)
6/2/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
5/27/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 2.) (May 23).
5/23/2025HouseCoauthors revised.
5/23/2025HouseIn committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
5/7/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (April 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4/24/2025HouseReferred to Com. on L. & E.
3/17/2025HouseRead first time.
2/24/2025HouseFrom printer. May be heard in committee March 24.
2/22/2025HouseIntroduced. To print.
2/21/2025House
Bill Text
Chaptered
10/1/2025
Enrolled
9/15/2025
Amended Senate
9/5/2025
Introduced
2/21/2025