Farmworkers will soon be getting more overtime pay. Governor Brown has signed a contentious bill that grants agricultural laborers the same right to extra pay as most other Californians. Most Republican lawmakers opposed the legislation, including State Senator Jim Nielsen. He says, unlike many employers, ag industry leaders can’t pass along the extra expense to consumers…

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Nielsen says regulatory expenses are also increasing more and a particular burden on the farm industry. He says he expects a significant reduction in field crop acreage, with more orchard acreage…

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Farmworkers are currently only paid overtime if they work more than 10 hours a day or 60 hours a week. The bill will raise overtime incrementally over four years, ultimately matching other industries, by requiring time-and-half-pay for more than 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week.