An act to amend Section 1684 of, and to add Section 1697.25 to, of the Labor Code, relating to farm labor contractors.
Summary
AB 2227 makes several changes to California’s farm labor contractor licensing laws. It requires a license applicant to include proof of federal registration as a farm labor contractor with the U.S. Department of Labor in the sworn application, and it updates the bond requirement so that the amount is based on annual gross receipts from farm labor contractor operations rather than payroll. The bill keeps the existing bond levels for contractors who are also registered as foreign labor contractors, but doubles the bond amounts for contractors who are not foreign labor contractors. It also requires the Labor Commissioner to verify gross receipts documentation and to publish bond information on the public license database.
The bill also adds a new default procedure for wage claim cases: if a grower, farm labor contractor, or person acting as a farm labor contractor fails to appear or answer within the allowed time after a complaint is filed, the Labor Commissioner must issue an order, decision, or award in the amount stated in the notice. That order remains appealable under existing appeal procedures. The measure is framed as a labor enforcement and transparency bill, with additional reporting and disclosure requirements intended to make bond coverage easier for workers and the public to verify.
Impact
AB 2227 would amend Labor Code Section 1684 and add Section 1697.25, changing licensing, bonding, and enforcement rules for farm labor contractors. It would shift the bond calculation from payroll to gross receipts, increase bond amounts for non-foreign labor contractors, require documentation of receipts, and mandate public posting of bond details. It would also require the Labor Commissioner to issue a default order in certain uncontested wage claim proceedings, strengthening the agency’s ability to resolve complaints when respondents do not appear. The bill would create a state-mandated local program by expanding perjury-related obligations, but states that no reimbursement is required.
Sentiment
The available vote history suggests the bill has been received positively in committee, at least at the early stage. On April 22, 2026, it passed committee 5-0 with a motion to do pass and be re-referred to Appropriations, indicating unanimous support among those voting. No committee transcript was provided, so there is no recorded floor or committee debate to indicate broader public or stakeholder sentiment. Overall, the measure appears to be advancing as a worker-protection and enforcement bill rather than a controversial policy shift.
Contention
The main policy tension in AB 2227 is between stronger worker protections and increased compliance burdens on farm labor contractors. Supporters would likely favor the higher bond amounts for non-foreign labor contractors, the public disclosure of bond information, and the default order procedure as tools to improve wage recovery and accountability. Potential opponents may object that the bill raises licensing costs, especially by doubling bond requirements for some contractors, and that the new documentation and reporting rules add administrative burden. The distinction between foreign and non-foreign labor contractors may also be a point of concern because it creates different bond levels based on registration status.
Provides that only registered design professionals or employees with certified fire escape contractors are authorized to install, service, repair, inspect, and maintain fire escapes.
Provides that only registered design professionals or employees with certified fire escape contractors are authorized to install, service, repair, inspect, and maintain fire escapes.