What SB 1185 does
An act to add Chapter 6.98 (commencing with Section 25600) to Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to hazardous materials.
Existing law requires a skilled and trained workforce to be used in the construction, alteration, demolition, installation, repair, or maintenance work of certain public works and privately-owned facilities engaged in certain petroleum-related activities, manufacturing hydrogen, biofuels, or certain specified chemicals, or capturing, sequestering, or using carbon dioxide, as specified. Existing law defines “skilled and trained workforce” to include, among other criteria, skilled journeypersons who are paid at least a rate equivalent to the applicable prevailing hourly wage rate.
This bill would require an owner, operator, or developer of a facility that will be used for the research, development, or production of pharmaceutical products to, when contracting for the performance of construction, alteration, demolition, installation, repair, or maintenance work on the facility, require that its contractors and subcontractors use a skilled and trained workforce to perform all onsite work within an apprenticeable occupation in the building and construction trades, and would require all contractors and subcontractors performing the work to use a skilled and trained workforce. The bill would require the owner, operator, or developer of the facility to provide to the Labor Commissioner a monthly report demonstrating compliance with the bill’s provisions that includes, among other things, the full name and other identifying information relating to each worker relied on to satisfy the apprenticeship graduation percentage requirements. If the Labor Commissioner determines that a contractor or subcontractor failed to use a skilled and trained workforce, the bill would require the contractor or subcontractor to forfeit, as a civil penalty to the state, up to $5,000 per month of work performed for a first violation, and, for a second or subsequent violation, up to $10,000 per month of work performed. The bill would authorize the Labor Commissioner to reduce or waive the penalty under specified circumstances.
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the amended senate text, May 14, 2026. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Senator Cortese introduced SB 1185 on February 18, 2026, with coauthors Senators Arreguín, Becker, and Grayson and Assembly Member Bryan. The text was amended 2 times, and heard in 6 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
- Senate Floor, May 19, 2026: 29 ayes, 7 noes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement, April 15, 2026: Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations], 4-1.
- Senate Appropriations, May 4, 2026: Placed on suspense file, 7-0.
- Senate Appropriations, May 14, 2026: Do pass as amended, 6-1.
- Assembly Labor and Employment, June 10, 2026: Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 6-0.
Who supports and opposes SB 1185
The Assembly Labor and Employment analysis dated June 9, 2026 lists 5 organizations in support and 7 in opposition. When Senate Committee on Labor, Public Employment and Retirement first listed positions on April 14, 2026, the count was 63 in support and 4 opposed. By the Assembly Labor and Employment analysis of June 9, 2026 it was 5 to 7.
In support: State Building & Construction Trades Council of California (sponsor); California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO; California State Association of Electrical Workers; California State Pipe Trades Council; Western States Council Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation.
Opposed: American Council of Engineering Companies of California; Associated Builders and Contractors of California; Associated General Contractors, California Chapters; Biocom; California Geotechnical Engineering Association; California Life Sciences Association; Western Electrical Contractors Association.
Read the Assembly Labor and Employment analysis.
What happens next
It is in Assembly Appropriations. The last recorded action was on August 13, 2026.
The Governor can sign the bill, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until the decision, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect. If signed, most provisions take effect January 1, and implementation moves to the agencies named in the bill.
What it means for pharmaceutical organizations
This is the stage where language still changes. Amendments taken in committee are the ones that reach the Governor, so an organization with a stake in the drafting has a reason to be in that conversation now rather than after the vote.
The pharma group at Capitol Axis handles that for pharmaceutical clients.
Questions about SB 1185
What does SB 1185 do?
This bill would require an owner, operator, or developer of a facility that will be used for the research, development, or production of pharmaceutical products to, when contracting for the performance of construction, alteration, demolition, installation, repair, or maintenance work on the facility, require that its contractors and subcontractors use a skilled and trained workforce to perform all onsite work within an apprenticeable occupation in the building and construction trades, and would require all contractors and subcontractors performing the work to use a skilled and trained workforc
Has SB 1185 passed the California Legislature?
It is in Assembly Appropriations. The last recorded action was on August 13, 2026.
Who supports and opposes SB 1185?
The Assembly Labor and Employment analysis dated June 9, 2026 lists 5 organizations in support and 7 in opposition. Supporters include State Building & Construction Trades Council of California (sponsor); California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO; California State Association of Electrical Workers. Opponents include American Council of Engineering Companies of California; Associated Builders and Contractors of California; Associated General Contractors, California Chapters.
What happens next with SB 1185?
It still has committee and floor votes ahead of it. Amendments taken now are the ones that reach the Governor, so this is the stage where language changes are still possible.