AB 1859: Public works.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law requires that, except as specified, not less than the general prevailing rate of per diem wages be paid to workers employed on public works. Existing law defines “public works,” for the purposes of regulating public works contracts as, among other things, construction, alteration, demolition, installation, or repair work done under contract and paid for, in whole or in part, out of public funds. Existing law makes any officer, agent, or representative of the state or of any political subdivision who willfully violates specified provisions, including providing notice of certain public works projects, as specified, to the Department of Industrial Relations, guilty of a misdemeanor.

Existing law requires the Labor Commissioner to investigate allegations that a contractor or subcontractor violated the law regulating public works projects, including the payment of prevailing wages. Existing law requires each contractor and subcontractor on a public works project to keep accurate payroll records, showing the name, address, social security number, work classification, straight time and overtime hours worked each day and week, and the actual per diem wages paid to each journeyman, apprentice, worker, or other employee employed by the contractor or subcontractor in connection with the public work.

This bill would require an awarding body or owner to give reasonable access, as defined, to representatives of a joint-labor management committee in order to monitor compliance with the prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements. The bill would authorize an awarding body, owner, contractor, or subcontractor to deny or revoke access to the committee’s representative if the representative fails or refuses to comply with job site safety requirements, as specified. The bill would authorize the committee to bring an action against an awarding body, contractor, or subcontractor that willfully denies the committee’s representative reasonable access. The bill would authorize the court to award a civil penalty, not to exceed $1,000, and would require the court to award reasonable attorney’s fees and costs to the prevailing party. By expanding the definition of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. August 13, 2026In committee: Held under submission.
2. August 3, 2026In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
3. July 1, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 2.) (June 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4. June 24, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 4. Noes 1.) (June 24). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
5. June 10, 2026Referred to Coms. on L., P.E. & R. and JUD.
6. May 28, 2026In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
7. May 27, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 60. Noes 14. Page 5473.)
8. May 19, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
9. May 18, 2026Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
10. May 14, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 3.) (May 14).
11. April 22, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
12. April 8, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 3.) (April 7). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.