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BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
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Requested Action(s)
recommendation
a) Request approval and authorization for the Chair to sign the letters of support for Permanent Sheep/Goat Herder Wage Parity in the August Budget Trailer Bill
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Financial Impact:
None
Background Information:
SB 143’s temporary wage parity provision for range goat herders expired on July 1, 2026, resulting in a substantial change to minimum wage requirements in the targeted grazing industry. With the expiration, the minimum lawful wage for a 24/7 on call goat herder increased to approximately $20,000 per month, while sheep herders performing the same duties remain subject to the alternative monthly minimum wage of $4,938. This disparity reflects a drafting oversight rather than any difference in job duties or worker protections. Targeted goat grazing is widely used by public agencies, utilities, and landowners for wildfire fuel reduction, and operators already provide required food, housing, transportation, and other support for herders. The resulting $240,000 annual wage obligation per herder has created significant operational strain and may reduce grazing capacity during fire season. The Department of Industrial Relations’ SB 143 study found broad stakeholder agreement that goat and sheep herders perform similar work and should be subject to the same minimum monthly wage structure. Trailer bill language has been proposed to permanently amend Labor Code sections 2695.1-2695.4 to restore parity, apply the correction retroactive to July 1, 2026, and direct implementation upon enactment.