Governor Jerry Brown of California recently submitted a proposed budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year which contains significant proposed changes to the operation of the Labor & Workforce Development Agency (“LWDA”), the agency responsible for overseeing the Private Attorney Generals Act of 2004 (“PAGA”), including the creation of a “PAGA Unit” with the authority to intervene and object to the adequacy of the settlement funds designated to PAGA claims. At this point, legislation is still required to effectuate the proposed changes, but employers should monitor the issue as developments occur.
For more information, see Jackson Lewis’ California Workplace Law Blog: http://www.californiaworkplacelawblog.com/2016/02/articles/calosha-2/governor-browns-proposed-paga-unit-may-have-power-to-challenge-paga-settlement-in-court/