HB923
Protection of employees; stay or pay contracts prohibited, civil penalty.
Status:
In Senate
Latest Action:
Feb. 10, 2026
Senate: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
Chief Patron:
Alfonso Lopez (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Introduced. Protection of employees; stay or pay contracts prohibited; civil penalty.
Prohibits an employer from entering into, enforcing, or threatening to enforce a stay or pay contract, as defined in the bill, with any employee, with certain exceptions described. An employer that violates the bill's provisions is subject to a civil penalty of $10,000. The bill allows an employee to bring ... (More) a civil action against an employer or other person that attempts to enforce a stay or pay contract and to seek appropriate relief, including enjoining the conduct of any person or employer, ordering payment of liquidated damages, and awarding lost compensation, damages, and reasonable attorney fees and costs. The bill provides that if the court finds a violation of the bill's provisions, the plaintiff is entitled to recover reasonable costs, including reasonable fees for expert witnesses, and attorney fees. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/13/2026 - House: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102468D
- 01/13/2026 - House: Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce
- 01/22/2026 - House: Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #2
- 01/28/2026 - House: Placed on Labor and Commerce Agenda
- 01/29/2026 - House: House subcommittee offered
- 01/29/2026 - House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (6-Y 1-N)
- 01/30/2026 - House: Placed on Labor and Commerce Agenda
- 02/03/2026 - House: Reported from Labor and Commerce with amendment(s) (16-Y 6-N)
- 02/05/2026 - House: Read first time
- 02/06/2026 - House: Read second time
- 02/06/2026 - House: committee amendments agreed to
- 02/06/2026 - House: Engrossed by House as amended
- 02/09/2026 - House: Read third time and passed House (63-Y 35-N 0-A) Close Floor Vote
- 02/10/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- 02/10/2026 - Senate: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
