ALRB reports budget presentations, 8% operating reduction compliance and farmworker housing study participation

Chair Hussain told the board that the ALRB presented its budget change proposals to an Assembly Budget Subcommittee last week, with General Counsel Julie Montgomery presenting on the board’s behalf and receiving minimal questions and no public testimony.

Hussain said the item was held open and that the board will next appear before a Senate Budget Subcommittee in early April. The chair noted the board highlighted potential downstream impacts from shifts at the federal level, including implications if the National Labor Relations Board regains a quorum and issues decisions that could affect state matters.

Hussain also reported that the ALRB complied with a statewide directive to cut operating expenses by 8% and that the Legislative Analyst’s Office highlighted the agency for meeting that directive. “We were asked to do something. We rose to the occasion,” Hussain said.

The chair told members the governor announced a statewide return-to-work order of up to four days effective July 1 and that the ALRB is consulting with CalHR and the labor agency about rollout details. “We are still, consulting with various agencies such as CalHR as well as our labor agency on what that rollout will look like,” Hussain said.

Hussain also discussed the board’s involvement with a UC Davis Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety study that will survey farmworker housing statewide. He said the board has contributed to that study and is awaiting recommendations from the researchers.

The report covered both administrative compliance and policy-related outreach the agency expects to monitor in coming months.