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CaliforniaSB 6932025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Employees: meal periods.

Sponsored By: Dave Cortese (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.

State can allow later meal breaks

The Industrial Welfare Commission can issue rules that let meal breaks start after six hours. It must find the change helps workers’ health and welfare. This is a rulemaking power, so effects depend on future state orders.

30-minute meal breaks for long shifts

Employers must give a 30-minute meal break when you work more than five hours in a day. You and your boss can agree to skip the first meal only if your total day is six hours or less. You must get a second 30-minute meal if you work more than ten hours. You can skip the second meal only if you work no more than 12 hours and you did not skip the first meal.

Film and TV union meal rules

If you work in motion pictures or broadcasting and have a valid union contract that sets meal breaks and pays money when breaks are missed, the contract’s rules replace state meal laws. The contract must include a monetary remedy for missed meals.

Later meals for rural feed drivers

If you drive nutrients and byproducts from a covered commercial feed maker to a remote rural customer, your meal can start after six hours. This applies only if your regular pay is at least 1.5 times the state minimum wage and you receive overtime pay as the law requires.

Union meal rules in listed jobs

If you work in certain jobs and are under a valid union deal that meets strict terms, the normal meal rules do not apply. The contract must set wages, hours, working conditions, and meal periods, require final and binding arbitration on meal disputes, pay premium overtime, and pay at least 30% above the state minimum wage. Covered jobs include construction roles, commercial drivers, registered security officers with private patrol operators, and employees of electrical, gas, water, or local public electric utilities.

Wholesale bakers union meal rules

If you work in wholesale baking and are under a valid union contract with a 35-hour week (five 7-hour days), overtime after seven hours, and 10‑minute rests every two hours, the standard meal rules do not apply. Your union contract’s terms take their place.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Dave Cortese

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 136 • No: 0

House vote • 7/17/2025

Item 141 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 75 • No: 0

legislature vote • 7/9/2025

Vote in CX25

Yes: 15 • No: 0

legislature vote • 6/25/2025

Vote in CX14

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/15/2025

Item 149 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 34 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/30/2025

Vote in CS56

Yes: 5 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 95, Statutes of 2025.

    7/30/2025Senate

  2. Approved by the Governor.

    7/30/2025legislature

  3. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 11 a.m.

    7/25/2025legislature

  4. In Senate. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.

    7/17/2025Senate

  5. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 75. Noes 0. Page 2595.) Ordered to the Senate.

    7/17/2025House

  6. Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar.

    7/10/2025House

  7. From committee: Do pass. Ordered to consent calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (July 9).

    7/9/2025House

  8. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (June 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    6/26/2025House

  9. Referred to Com. on L. & E.

    5/29/2025House

  10. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.

    5/15/2025House

  11. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 34. Noes 0. Page 1091.) Ordered to the Assembly.

    5/15/2025Senate

  12. Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar.

    5/13/2025Senate

  13. From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to consent calendar.

    5/12/2025Senate

  14. Set for hearing May 12.

    5/2/2025Senate

  15. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 5. Noes 0. Page 967.) (April 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    4/30/2025Senate

  16. Set for hearing April 30.

    4/11/2025Senate

  17. Referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.

    3/5/2025Senate

  18. Read first time.

    2/24/2025Senate

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

    2/24/2025Senate

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

    2/21/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Chaptered

    7/30/2025

    HTML

  • Enrolled

    7/18/2025

    HTML

  • Introduced

    2/21/2025

    HTML

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