Assemblymember Ash Kalra of San Jose has reintroduced a controversial measure requiring ag employers to notify H-2A guestworkers of their labor and housing protections. The bill has other provisions mandating paid travel time, lighting requirements and tenancy rights. The California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation is sponsoring the bill.
Interested in more coverage and insights? Receive a free month of Agri-Pulse West.
Newsom vetoed a similar measure in 2020, saying he would charge the labor department with implementing the notification requirement instead.
“H-2A farmworkers are among the most exploited of agricultural workers,” said Kalra, echoing arguments from Sen. Bill Monning, who termed out last year.
Kalra is the chair of the Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment.
