The 2026 Legislative session is officially underway and has resulted in a significant number of new employment bills being introduced in the California Assembly and Senate. We are tracking more than fifty employment-related bills and numerous additional employment-related “spot” bills (essentially placeholders that allow legislators to come back later and propose more substantive legislation). We have identified the “Top Ten” bills that – if passed – would have the most significant impact on California employers.

Of course, some of these bills may fail to progress through the legislative process, others may be materially amended, and spot bills may be revised to incorporate new, substantive changes. Looking ahead, the deadline for bills to pass key substantive committees is May 1, 2026, so significant amendments and votes can be expected shortly. Stay tuned – we will keep you informed of developments as they occur!

In the meantime, check out our brief overview of our “Top Ten” potential employment law changes and a summary of the remaining notable employment bills currently pending, largely organized by subject matter.