Governor Newsom Signs McNerney’s Bill to Protect Farmworkers from Wage Theft

Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday signed into law SB 846, legislation by Sen. Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) that will help protect California farmworkers from wage theft.

“California’s essential farmworkers are under an unprecedented attack by President Trump’s dangerous and illegal immigration raids. So, it’s imperative that California does all it can to protect farmworkers from workplace mistreatment — specifically, from wage theft,” Sen. McNerney said. “SB 86 updates and strengthens California law to help ensure that agricultural employers are held accountable when they engage in wage theft and farmworkers can recover stolen wages.”

California relies on nearly 800,000 migrant and seasonal farmworkers who cultivate over 400 agricultural commodities across the state. Unfortunately, this essential workforce is vulnerable to wage theft. 

Recognizing this, California enacted a law in 1976 to help farmworkers recover stolen wages from agricultural employers. However, the language in the statute has become outdated, making the statute ineffective. 

SB 846 modernizes and strengthens the 1976 statute to ensure California agricultural businesses that engage in wage theft are held accountable and farmworkers can recover stolen wages. 

SB 846 passed both the Senate and Assembly this year without receiving a single “no” vote. SB 846 is the first bill by Sen. McNerney to be signed into law since he took office in December 2024. The new law takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.

Sen. Jerry McNerney is chair of the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee and his 5th Senate District includes all of San Joaquin County and Alameda County’s Tri-Valley.