Senate Rules Committee advances Victoria Hassids ALRB nomination after heated questioning, 3-2

Victoria Hassid, nominee to serve another term as chair of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board, won committee approval to go to the Senate floor after the Senate Rules Committee voted 3-2 on her confirmation on May 7.

Hassid told the committee she sees her principal duty as implementing the Agricultural Labor Relations Act and said she aims to "adjudicate disputes before us fairly and swiftly and to ensure the protections of the act are fully realized and accessible for all farm workers." She described outreach priorities that include agricultural and cannabis workers and reiterated the boards role in education and enforcement.

The vote followed extended questioning about the ALRBs past handling of contested representation matters and concerns from at least one committee member about the agencys impartiality. Committee members raised the use of the majority support or "card-check" process, past disputes over locked ballots and litigation that followed contested elections. Hassid responded that different statutory processes apply in different cases, that some matters remain in active administrative or civil litigation, and that the ALRBs role is to follow the facts and the law.

Hassid also described prior ALRB activity engaging with H-2A temporary-visa workers. She said the ALRB has held informational panels and coordinated with federal and state partners to reach a population she described as "incredibly isolated," and that the agency seeks to provide clear, accessible information about rights and processes.

Supporters testified at the hearing. Sarah Flock of the California Labor Federation said Hassid "has the expertise, the experience, and the knowledge to be the chair of the ALRB" and urged committee members to back the nomination. Kristen Heidelbach of UFCW Western States Council also expressed support for Hassids work on cannabis-worker matters.

Senator Laird moved to forward the nomination to the full Senate. The committee roll call recorded votes of aye from Pro Tem Maguire, Senator Gonzales and Senator Laird; Senators Grove and Jones recorded no votes, producing a 3-2 majority in favor of sending the nomination to the floor.

The nomination will next be considered by the full Senate.

Votes at a glance: Victoria Hassid nomination to chair, California Agricultural Labor Relations Board — motion to forward to the Senate floor carried 3-2 (Maguire: aye; Gonzales: aye; Laird: aye; Grove: no; Jones: no).