AB 2646: Employment: minimum wages: agricultural workers.

Official summary

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

Existing law establishes a minimum wage for all industries and imposes criminal penalties for violation of these wage provisions. Existing law authorizes the Labor Commissioner to collect due and unpaid wages or benefits on behalf of workers. Under existing law, the commissioner acts as trustee and deposits collected wages and benefits into the Industrial Relations Unpaid Wage Fund, which is continuously appropriated for the purpose of remitting the collected wages or benefits.

This bill would require the minimum hourly wage for an approved agricultural employee and corresponding employee, as defined, to be $19.75 per hour. Commencing January 1, 2027, and each January thereafter, the bill would require the above-described minimum hourly wage to be adjusted by an amount equal to the cost-of-living adjustment for social security benefits, as specified. By expanding the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. By increasing the revenue to the Industrial Relations Unpaid Wage Fund, a continuously appropriated fund, and expanding the purposes for which moneys in that fund may be used, the bill would make an appropriation.

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. September 30, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 956, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 30, 2026Approved by the Governor.
3. August 31, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
4. August 25, 2026In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.
5. August 25, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 30. Noes 8.).
6. August 13, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
7. August 13, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 4. Noes 2.) (August 13).
8. August 3, 2026In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
9. June 24, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 1.) (June 24). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
10. June 10, 2026Referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.
11. May 27, 2026In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
12. May 26, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 58. Noes 16. Page 5338.)