California lawmakers advance AB 1002 targeting repeat wage theft offenders

The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee convened on July 7, 2025, to discuss Assembly Bill 1002, a legislative measure aimed at combating wage theft in California's construction industry. The bill, presented by Assemblymember Gabriel, seeks to empower the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to pursue contractor license suspensions or revocations in cases of serious and repeated wage theft violations.

Assemblymember Gabriel emphasized the importance of the bill in protecting the economic security and dignity of workers, noting that the current regulatory framework lacks sufficient deterrents for repeat offenders. The proposed legislation aims to enhance accountability by allowing the DOJ, in collaboration with the Contractor State Licensing Board (CSLB), to take action against contractors who violate labor laws egregiously.

Evan Acheron, a Special Assistant Attorney General, testified in support of the bill, highlighting that it does not create new remedies but enables the DOJ to access existing remedies that the CSLB can currently obtain through civil or administrative actions. He assured the committee that the bill includes safeguards to ensure that the CSLB retains its authority and that any disciplinary actions would require proven violations in a civil court.

Vince Segarue, representing the Sheet Metal Workers Local 104, also voiced strong support for AB 1002, sharing firsthand accounts of how wage theft affects working families. He pointed out that some contractors with multiple wage theft judgments continue to operate on significant construction projects without facing consequences. Segarue cited a specific case of a contractor in the Bay Area who received a $700,000 civil wage assessment for wage theft yet remains active in the industry.

The committee's discussions underscored the urgent need for stronger measures to protect workers from wage theft and to hold accountable those who exploit labor laws. The bill has garnered support from various labor organizations and is sponsored by Attorney General Rob Bonta. The committee is expected to deliberate further on the implications of AB 1002 and its potential to enhance worker protections in California's construction sector.