Bill
SB 1185
Requires all contractors on pharmaceutical facility construction to use a skilled and trained workforce with apprenticeships, plus monthly public reporting.
Jurisdiction: California
Bill Type: Senate Bill
Sponsor: Senator Cortese (Co-sponsor: Dave Cortese)
Introduced: February 18, 2026
Status: Amended; read second time and amended; re-referred to Assembly Appropriations (as of April 20, 2026)
Title: Pharmaceutical facilities: skilled and trained workforce
Purpose and intent
- SB 1185 adds a new requirement to ensure a skilled and trained workforce for construction and related work on facilities used for the research, development, or production of pharmaceutical products.
- The Legislature finds that unskilled or untrained construction workers on pharmaceutical facilities pose public health and safety risks due to stringent cleanliness, security, and operational continuity needs.
Key provisions and changes
1) New law and coverage
- Creates Chapter 6.98 in Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code (starting with Section 25600).
- Applies to owners, operators, or developers of pharmaceutical facilities that will be used for the research, development, or production of pharmaceutical products.
2) Workforce requirements for construction and onsite work
- When contracting for initial and subsequent construction, alteration, demolition, installation, repair, or maintenance on a covered facility, all contractors and subcontractors must use a skilled and trained workforce.
- Onsite work must be performed only within apprenticeable occupations in the building and construction trades.
- Each contractor/subcontractor must comply with the skilled and trained workforce standard for its onsite workforce.
3) Apprenticeships and workforce definitions
- Defines “apprenticeable occupation,” “skilled journeyperson,” and “skilled and trained workforce.”
- Skilled journeyperson: Meets apprenticeship graduation or equivalent hours plus pay at least the prevailing wage.
- Skilled and trained workforce: All workers are either registered apprentices or skilled journeypersons, and at least 60% of skilled journeypersons are graduates of an approved apprenticeship program.
- Apprenticeship programs: Approved by the Chief of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards; advanced standing for applicants with relevant prior work experience is allowed.
- Onsite work exclusions: Excludes catalyst handling/loading, chemical cleaning, or inspection/testing not within the scope of a prevailing wage determination as of Jan 1, 2025.
4) Local hiring and workforce availability considerations
- Provides exceptions where qualified workers are unavailable within 48 hours of a request (e.g., local hiring halls, weekends/holidays) and in emergencies requiring immediate action.
- Allows for emergency circumstances to permit noncompliant actions temporarily, then revert when feasible.
5) Compliance, penalties, and oversight
- Monthly compliance reporting to the Labor Commissioner, including full names and apprenticeship program details for workers relied upon to meet the graduation requirement. Reports are public records.
- Penalties for noncompliance:
- First violation: Up to $5,000 per month of work.
- Second or subsequent violation within a three-year period: Up to $10,000 per month of work.
- Penalties may be reduced or waived if disproportionate to severity; the Labor Commissioner issues civil wage and penalty assessments, with right to appeal under existing Labor Code procedures.
- This penalty framework applies to the contractor or subcontractor responsible for the violation.
6) Employment status and public work designation
- The requirement does not apply to employees of the facility owner/operator performing work not assigned to contractors.
- This section does not make such work a “public work” under the Labor Code and does not preclude certain alternative work schedules.
7) Miscellaneous definitions
- Defines terms such as “facility that will be used for the research, development, or production of pharmaceutical products” to include certain NAICS codes (325411, 325412) as of Jan 1, 2025.
- Clarifies that a project labor agreement can waive provisions if it includes an arbitration-based enforcement mechanism and community benefits.
Who is affected
- Pharmaceutical facility owners, operators, and developers.
- Contractors and subcontractors engaged in construction, alteration, demolition, installation, repair, or maintenance of these facilities.
- Labor Commissioner (citation and enforcement role) and apprenticeship programs approved by the Chief of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
- Public (through monthly compliance reports that are public records).
Timeline and procedural notes
- As of the latest action, the measure has progressed through Senate committees and returned amended for consideration.
- If enacted, the provisions would apply to projects on covered pharmaceutical facilities going forward, with monthly reporting obligations beginning after enactment.
Overall impact
- Aims to raise construction workforce standards at pharmaceutical facilities to ensure public health, safety, and operational reliability.
- Introduces penalties to enforce compliance and creates a public, transparent oversight mechanism through monthly reporting.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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