Workforce and Business Climate Update: Key Bills Advance
Published Friday, April 17, 2026
Several bills impacting farmworker housing, business practices and workplace technologies are advancing through the state Legislature, with potential implications for agricultural employers across California.
Assembly Bill 1890 — Farmworker Housing Funding (Support) AB 1890 by Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, would require state matching grants to support the Napa County Housing Authority’s Farmworker Centers, which have historically been funded through grower self-assessment. The bill advanced from the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee on March 25. California Farm Bureau supports the measure.
Assembly Bill 1776 — Antitrust Expansion (Oppose) AB 1776 by Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, would expand the scope of California’s antitrust laws, raising concerns among a broad coalition of agricultural and business groups. Stakeholders warn the bill could disrupt common practices such as price discovery by agricultural cooperatives. The bill passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee on April 7 and is pending a third reading. California Farm Bureau opposes the bill.
Workplace Technology and AI Regulation Bills Advance
- Assembly Bill 1883 by Assemblyman Isaac Bryan, D-Los Angeles, restricts the use of workplace safety and management tools, including productivity and access monitoring technologies, and creates a private right of action. It has been approved by Assembly Labor and Employment Committee and referred to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee.
- Assembly Bill 1898 by Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez, R-Indio, requires employers to notify employees of AI-assisted tools used for supervision and maintain and share an annual inventory of such tools. It was approved by the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee and referred to the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
- Assembly Bill 2027 by Assemblyman Chris Ward, D-San Diego, limits employer use of worker data in ways that may hinder efficiency, safety and compliance efforts. It was approved by the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee and referred to Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee.
- Senate Bill 947 by state Sen. Jerry McNerney, D-Stockton, imposes new regulations on automated decision-making systems, increasing compliance obligations for employers using workforce management technologies. It was approved by the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee and referred to the Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection Committee.
- Senate Bill 951 by state Sen. Eloise Gómez Reyes, D-San Bernardino, expands the California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act requirements to include employment reductions associated with automation or technology deployment. It advanced from the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee and is pending a second reading.
California Farm Bureau opposes these measures due to concerns about operational impacts, increased liability and constraints on commonly used workplace technologies.
Staff contact: Bryan Little, blittle@cfbf.com.
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