L&I Enforcement of Farmworker Labor Laws
July 2026
Suzanna Pratt, Zane Potter, Melanie Stidham, Hope Thompson, research analysts
Ryan McCord, audit director; Eric Thomas, legislative auditor
Contact information
Legislative auditor's conclusion
The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) meets enforcement timelines for health and safety laws, but not for wage and hour laws. Recent legislative and agency-led changes may help L&I reduce enforcement delays.
Read the full reportKey points
- L&I enforces laws about health, safety, wages, hours, and retaliation.
- L&I completed more than 95% of agricultural health and safety inspections on time.
- Wage and hour complaint backlogs have delayed investigations.
- L&I and the Legislature are addressing wage and hour inefficiencies through additional staffing, reorganization, and changes in state law.
- L&I engages with employers and workers through consultation, education, and community outreach.
Legislative auditor’s recommendations
The legislative auditor makes one recommendation.
Recommendation #1
L&I should report to JLARC and relevant committees of the Legislature in December 2026 and December 2027 about the following:
- The effects of its efforts to address complaint backlogs and meet required timelines.
- Its implementation of the 2026 legislation that changes how it enforces wage and hour laws.
Legislation required:
None
Fiscal impact:
None
Implementation date:
December 2026 and December 2027.
Agency response:
To be included in proposed final report.
Agency name:
Labor and Industries (L&I)
Status:
Not yet reported
Video summary
Read the full report
Department of Labor and Industries' Enforcement of Farmworker Labor Laws (HTML)
Read an overview
Read the agency response
To be included in proposed final report
Legislative mandate