SB 1185: Pharmaceutical facilities: skilled and trained workforce.

Official summary

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

Existing law requires a skilled and trained workforce to be used in the construction, alteration, demolition, installation, repair, or maintenance work of certain public works and privately-owned facilities engaged in certain petroleum-related activities, manufacturing hydrogen, biofuels, or certain specified chemicals, or capturing, sequestering, or using carbon dioxide, as specified. Existing law defines “skilled and trained workforce” to include, among other criteria, skilled journeypersons who are paid at least a rate equivalent to the applicable prevailing hourly wage rate.

This bill would require an owner, operator, or developer of a facility that will be used for the research, development, or production of pharmaceutical products to, when contracting for the performance of construction, alteration, demolition, installation, repair, or maintenance work on the facility, require that its contractors and subcontractors use a skilled and trained workforce to perform all onsite work within an apprenticeable occupation in the building and construction trades, and would require all contractors and subcontractors performing the work to use a skilled and trained workforce. The bill would require the owner, operator, or developer of the facility to provide to the Labor Commissioner a monthly report demonstrating compliance with the bill’s provisions that includes, among other things, the full name and other identifying information relating to each worker relied on to satisfy the apprenticeship graduation percentage requirements. If the Labor Commissioner determines that a contractor or subcontractor failed to use a skilled and trained workforce, the bill would require the contractor or subcontractor to forfeit, as a civil penalty to the state, up to $5,000 per month of work performed for a first violation, and, for a second or subsequent violation, up to $10,000 per month of work performed. The bill would authorize the Labor Commissioner to reduce or waive the penalty under specified circumstances.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 5

“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, 2026August 13 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
2. July 1, 2026July 1 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.
3. June 11, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 10). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4. June 1, 2026Referred to Com. on L. & E.
5. May 20, 2026In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
6. May 19, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 29. Noes 7. Page 4359.) Ordered to the Assembly.
7. May 18, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
8. May 14, 2026Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
9. May 14, 2026From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 6. Noes 1. Page 4268.) (May 14).
10. May 8, 2026Set for hearing May 14.
11. May 4, 2026May 4 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
12. April 24, 2026Set for hearing May 4.