California ballot initiative to repeal PAGA qualifies for 2024 ballot

On July 22, the secretary of state reported that a ballot initiative to repeal the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) had qualified for the 2024 ballot after missing the signature verification deadline for the 2022 ballot. …

The initiative proposes repealing PAGA, which allows employees to sue employers and collect a share of monetary penalties for state labor law violations, and replacing it with a new law that would:

• require the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) to be a party to all labor complaints;
• double statutory and civil penalties for willful violators;
• require that 100% of monetary penalties be awarded to harmed employees; and
• provide resources to employers to ensure labor compliance.

According to the California Legislative Analyst’s Office, approximately 5,000 PAGA notices are filed annually. Any penalties won under PAGA must be split between the employees (25%) and the state of California (75%).