Liens: harvested crops.
- Expands wage protection liens for farm workers to cover all agricultural employers, not just limited partnerships.
- Allows workers to claim liens up to two weeks of wages on harvested crops or their sale proceeds.
- Caps total liens at 25 percent of the crop's fair market value or sale proceeds.
- Permits employers to avoid liens by providing a wage payment bond to the Labor Commissioner.
Senator McNerney's agricultural labor legislation expands wage protection mechanisms for California farm workers by removing the requirement that crop liens apply only to limited partnerships. Under the amended Civil Code, employees who harvest or transport agricultural products can now secure liens against crops or sale proceeds from any employer structure, not just limited partnerships.
The legislation maintains existing parameters for these wage-security liens, including the two-week earnings cap and the 25% maximum claim on crop value or proceeds. Employers retain the option to avoid liens by providing a surety bond to the Labor Commissioner before harvest begins. The amendment preserves protections for buyers in the ordinary course of business, who remain unencumbered by these liens even with prior knowledge of their existence.
This modification to California's agricultural labor code broadens access to wage protection while keeping core provisions intact - including lien priority over other claims, bond alternatives for employers, and safeguards for routine market transactions. The changes apply to work performed in harvesting and transporting crops or farm products as defined in the Food and Agricultural Code.
 Jerry McNerneyD Senator | Bill Author |  Not Contacted |
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | 0 | 8 | 79 | PASS |
- Expands wage protection liens for farm workers to cover all agricultural employers, not just limited partnerships.
- Allows workers to claim liens up to two weeks of wages on harvested crops or their sale proceeds.
- Caps total liens at 25 percent of the crop's fair market value or sale proceeds.
- Permits employers to avoid liens by providing a wage payment bond to the Labor Commissioner.
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Senator McNerney's agricultural labor legislation expands wage protection mechanisms for California farm workers by removing the requirement that crop liens apply only to limited partnerships. Under the amended Civil Code, employees who harvest or transport agricultural products can now secure liens against crops or sale proceeds from any employer structure, not just limited partnerships.
The legislation maintains existing parameters for these wage-security liens, including the two-week earnings cap and the 25% maximum claim on crop value or proceeds. Employers retain the option to avoid liens by providing a surety bond to the Labor Commissioner before harvest begins. The amendment preserves protections for buyers in the ordinary course of business, who remain unencumbered by these liens even with prior knowledge of their existence.
This modification to California's agricultural labor code broadens access to wage protection while keeping core provisions intact - including lien priority over other claims, bond alternatives for employers, and safeguards for routine market transactions. The changes apply to work performed in harvesting and transporting crops or farm products as defined in the Food and Agricultural Code.
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | 0 | 8 | 79 | PASS |
Jerry McNerneyD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted |