Author pulls bill on herder wages after committee testimony highlights wildfire‑mitigation tradeoffs

Senator Hurtado presented SB 801 as a measure to preserve targeted grazing as a wildfire mitigation tool by addressing recent wage increases for sheep and goat herders. She said rising wage obligations following AB 1066’s overtime phased‑in schedule had sharply increased herders’ monthly wage requirements, threatening the viability of the grazing sector that many local governments and fire departments use for vegetation management.

Witnesses from Kern County Fire (Deputy Chief Andrew Kennison), the California Woolgrowers Association and several ranchers testified in support, describing targeted grazing as an environmentally friendly tool for treating acres where prescribed fire is either unsafe or impractical. Witnesses said most herders in California are H‑2A temporary workers (primarily from Peru) and that the federal H‑2A monthly minimum wage differs from the state level, creating a competitive and operational gap for California employers.

Opposition testimony came from the California Federation of Labor Unions and other advocates, who said SB 801 would effectively roll back overtime protections established in AB 1066 (2016) and undermine the phased approach the Legislature adopted. Labor witnesses argued overtime protections are essential and noted historically low referral and conviction rates in complaints of abuse; they urged solutions that do not exempt a class of workers from overtime protections.

On the record the author pulled SB 801 from consideration to continue stakeholder discussions. Committee members and staff said they would host further meetings to seek a balanced approach that protects wildfire mitigation tools while preserving worker protections and compliance with federal H‑2A rules.