What SB 947 does
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the enrolled text, September 4, 2026. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Senator McNerney introduced SB 947 on . The text was amended 0 times, and heard in 9 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
- Senate Floor, May 19, 2026: 29 ayes, 9 noes.
- Senate Floor, August 31, 2026: 29 ayes, 10 noes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement, April 8, 2026: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection], 3-1.
- Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection, April 20, 2026: Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations], 7-2.
- Senate Appropriations, May 4, 2026: Placed on suspense file, 7-0.
- Senate Appropriations, May 14, 2026: Do pass as amended, 5-2.
- Assembly Labor and Employment, June 10, 2026: Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Privacy and Consumer Protection], 5-1.
- Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection, June 23, 2026: Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary], 10-4.
- Assembly Judiciary, June 30, 2026: Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 8-3.
- Assembly Appropriations, August 13, 2026: Do pass., 10-4.
Who supports and opposes SB 947
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 30, 2026 lists 40 organizations in support and 88 in opposition. When Senate Committee on Labor, Public Employment and Retirement first listed positions on April 7, 2026, the count was 24 in support and 36 opposed. By the Senate Floor Analyses analysis of August 30, 2026 it was 40 to 88.
In support: California Federation of Labor Unions (sponsor); Alameda Labor Council; American Federation of Musicians, Local 7; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees California; Association of California State Employees with Disabilities; California Alliance for Retired Americans; California Community Foundation; California Employment Lawyers Association; and 32 more.
Opposed: American Petroleum and Convenience Store Association; American Staffing Association; Apartment Owners Association of California; Associated Equipment Distributors; Associated General Contractors California; Associated General Contractors San Diego; Association of California Healthcare Districts; Association of California School Administrators; and 80 more.
Read the Senate Floor Analyses analysis.
Our read
Analysis by Capitol Axis, drawn from the committee analyses and vote record for SB 947.
Opposition roughly doubled on the way through, 36 at Senate Committee on Labor, Public Employment and Retirement to 88 at Senate Floor Analyses.
Among the 88 on the opposed list are American Petroleum and Convenience Store Association, American Staffing Association and Apartment Owners Association of California, spread across 6 distinct sectors. A front that wide is not assembled over one provision.
California Federation of Labor Unions sponsored it, and a sponsored bill is negotiated with the sponsor in the room.
What happens next
It reached the Governor's desk on September 9, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
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 labor organizations
Two decisions follow from a bill at this stage. The first is whether to weigh in with the Governor's office before the thirty-day window closes. The second is how to prepare for implementation if it becomes law: which agency writes the rules, when the comment period opens, and which obligations begin January 1.
The labor group at Capitol Axis handles that for labor clients.
Questions about SB 947
What does SB 947 do?
SB 947 concerns employment: automated decision systems. See the Legislative Counsel's Digest on leginfo for the full summary.
Has SB 947 passed the California Legislature?
It reached the Governor's desk on September 9, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
Who supports and opposes SB 947?
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 30, 2026 lists 40 organizations in support and 88 in opposition. Supporters include California Federation of Labor Unions (sponsor); Alameda Labor Council; American Federation of Musicians, Local 7. Opponents include American Petroleum and Convenience Store Association; American Staffing Association; Apartment Owners Association of California.
What happens next with SB 947?
The Governor can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until then, 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.