CaliforniaOn certain projects, contractors licensed at signing could seek pay for work done while licensed
The signed law would let contractors on certain construction projects sue for pay if they held a license when signing and during the work they seek payment for.
What it does
On public works, commercial or institutional construction, common-interest housing developments, and multifamily projects with at least four homes, the signed law would let contractors licensed when signing sue for pay for work done while licensed. Housing qualifies only if no tenant or resident is a party to the contract.
For public works, commercial or institutional construction, common-interest housing developments, and multifamily projects with at least four homes, the signed law would limit this payment claim to what clients paid for work done while the contractor lacked a license. Housing qualifies only if no tenant or resident is a party to the contract.
Argument forOn public works projects, a contractor licensed when signing might recover pay for work done while licensed despite a later license lapse.
Argument againstClients on public works projects might recover less through this payment claim if the contractor lacked a license for only part of the job.
More detail
The signed law would let contractors sue for pay for work done while licensed on covered projects. It covers public works, commercial or institutional construction, common-interest housing developments, and multifamily projects with at least four homes. For either housing type, no tenant or resident may be a party to the contract. Contractors would need a license when signing the contract and during the work for which they seek payment.
The signed law would let clients sue through this claim to recover payments for work done while the contractor lacked a license. It covers public works, commercial or institutional construction, common-interest housing developments, and multifamily projects with at least four homes. For either housing type, no tenant or resident may be a party to the contract.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 30Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 967, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 30Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 8Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 30Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 38. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.Major
- Vote recorded SB 342 Umberg Senate Third Reading By Wicks. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Unfinished Business SB342 Umberg et al. Concurrence. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 30In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
- Aug 30Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 75. Noes 0. Page 6856.) Ordered to the Senate.Passed Assembly
- Aug 27Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 26Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Aug 25From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 19. Noes 0.) (August 25).Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 24Joint Rule 62(a) suspended.
- Aug 20Re-referred to Com. on B. & P. pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2.Minor
- Aug 19Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 19Read third time and amended.Major
- Aug 17Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 13Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 13From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (August 13).Major
- Aug 13Assembly Rule 63 suspended.
- Aug 5August 5 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.
- Jul 1Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Major
- Jun 30From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 17. Noes 0.) (June 30).Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 18Pursuant to Assembly Rule 51.
- Jun 18Referred to Com. on B. & P.Minor
- Jan 26In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 26Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 3283.) Ordered to the Assembly.Passed Senate
- Jan 22Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 22From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0. Page 3268.) (January 22).Minor
- Jan 21Set for hearing January 22.
- Jan 20January 20 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 15Set for hearing January 20.
- Jan 14From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 0. Page 3214.) (January 13). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Jan 13
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 12From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 9. Noes 0. Page 3203.) (January 12). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 9Set for hearing January 13 in JUD. pending receipt.
- Jan 8Set for hearing January 12.
- Jan 5From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.Major
- 2025
- Mar 26Re-referred to Coms. on B. P. & E.D. and JUD.Minor
- Mar 17From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.Major
- Feb 19Referred to Com. on RLS.Minor
- Feb 13From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 15.
- Feb 12Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.Introduced
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