This measure would recognize March 26, 2026, as Womens Equal Pay Day in California, in recognition of the need to eliminate the gender gap in earnings by women and to promote policies to ensure equal pay for all.

This measure would recognize March 26, 2026, as Womens Equal Pay Day in California, in recognition of the need to eliminate the gender gap in earnings by women and to promote policies to ensure equal pay for all.

This measure would recognize March 26, 2026, as Womens Equal Pay Day in California, in recognition of the need to eliminate the gender gap in earnings by women and to promote policies to ensure equal pay for all.

WHEREAS, More than 60 years after the passage of the federal Equal Pay Act of 1963, women, especially women of color, continue to suffer the consequences of unequal pay; and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Census Bureau, women who work full time year round make less than $0.81 for every dollar a man is paid; and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Department of Labor, the median salary for women in 2024 was $57,520, while men earned a median of salary of $71,090; and

WHEREAS, The wage gap for Black, Latina, and Native American women is under $0.66 for every dollar White, non-Hispanic men make; and

WHEREAS, Black and Hispanic women have the lowest median salary earnings, with Hispanic women earning an average of $46,380 and Black women earning an average of $51,660; and

WHEREAS, Four out of 10 women experience gender discrimination and are much more likely to work a part-time job compared to men; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 4 in 10 mothers are the primary breadwinners in their households, and nearly two-thirds of mothers are the primary or significant earners, making pay equity critical to the financial security of their families; and

WHEREAS, A lifetime of lower pay means women have less income to save for retirement and less income counted in a social security or pension benefit formula; and

WHEREAS, Women continue to be underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and business, as well as in managerial positions, and are overrepresented in teaching, assistant, and childcare occupations; and

WHEREAS, Fair pay in California would strengthen the security of individuals and families today, regardless of education or socioeconomic status, while enhancing our statewide economy; and

WHEREAS, March 26 symbolizes the day in 2026 when the wages paid to women catch up to the wages paid to males from the previous year nationwide; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims March 26, 2026, as Womens Equal Pay Day in California, in recognition of the need to eliminate the gender gap in earnings by women and to promote policies to ensure equal pay for all; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, More than 60 years after the passage of the federal Equal Pay Act of 1963, women, especially women of color, continue to suffer the consequences of unequal pay; and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Census Bureau, women who work full time year round make less than $0.81 for every dollar a man is paid; and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Department of Labor, the median salary for women in 2024 was $57,520, while men earned a median of salary of $71,090; and

WHEREAS, The wage gap for Black, Latina, and Native American women is under $0.66 for every dollar White, non-Hispanic men make; and

WHEREAS, Black and Hispanic women have the lowest median salary earnings, with Hispanic women earning an average of $46,380 and Black women earning an average of $51,660; and

WHEREAS, Four out of 10 women experience gender discrimination and are much more likely to work a part-time job compared to men; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 4 in 10 mothers are the primary breadwinners in their households, and nearly two-thirds of mothers are the primary or significant earners, making pay equity critical to the financial security of their families; and

WHEREAS, A lifetime of lower pay means women have less income to save for retirement and less income counted in a social security or pension benefit formula; and

WHEREAS, Women continue to be underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and business, as well as in managerial positions, and are overrepresented in teaching, assistant, and childcare occupations; and

WHEREAS, Fair pay in California would strengthen the security of individuals and families today, regardless of education or socioeconomic status, while enhancing our statewide economy; and

WHEREAS, March 26 symbolizes the day in 2026 when the wages paid to women catch up to the wages paid to males from the previous year nationwide; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims March 26, 2026, as Womens Equal Pay Day in California, in recognition of the need to eliminate the gender gap in earnings by women and to promote policies to ensure equal pay for all; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, More than 60 years after the passage of the federal Equal Pay Act of 1963, women, especially women of color, continue to suffer the consequences of unequal pay; and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Census Bureau, women who work full time year round make less than $0.81 for every dollar a man is paid; and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Department of Labor, the median salary for women in 2024 was $57,520, while men earned a median of salary of $71,090; and

WHEREAS, The wage gap for Black, Latina, and Native American women is under $0.66 for every dollar White, non-Hispanic men make; and

WHEREAS, Black and Hispanic women have the lowest median salary earnings, with Hispanic women earning an average of $46,380 and Black women earning an average of $51,660; and

WHEREAS, Four out of 10 women experience gender discrimination and are much more likely to work a part-time job compared to men; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 4 in 10 mothers are the primary breadwinners in their households, and nearly two-thirds of mothers are the primary or significant earners, making pay equity critical to the financial security of their families; and

WHEREAS, A lifetime of lower pay means women have less income to save for retirement and less income counted in a social security or pension benefit formula; and

WHEREAS, Women continue to be underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and business, as well as in managerial positions, and are overrepresented in teaching, assistant, and childcare occupations; and

WHEREAS, Fair pay in California would strengthen the security of individuals and families today, regardless of education or socioeconomic status, while enhancing our statewide economy; and

WHEREAS, March 26 symbolizes the day in 2026 when the wages paid to women catch up to the wages paid to males from the previous year nationwide; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims March 26, 2026, as Womens Equal Pay Day in California, in recognition of the need to eliminate the gender gap in earnings by women and to promote policies to ensure equal pay for all; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

Date of Hearing: April 13, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON

, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:

Author:() – As Ver:

SENATE VOTE:

SUBJECT:

SUMMARY: Proclaims March 26, 2026, as Women’s Equal Pay Day in California, in recognition of the need to eliminate the gender gap in earnings by women and to promote policies to ensure equal pay for all. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. More than 60 years after the passage of the federal Equal Pay Act of 1963, women, especially women of color, continue to suffer the consequences of unequal pay.
2. According to the United States Census Bureau, women who work full time year round make less than $0.81 for every dollar a man is paid. And, according to the United States Department of Labor, the median salary for women in 2024 was $57,520, while men earned a median of salary of $71,090.
3. The wage gap for Black, Latina, and Native American women is under $0.66 for every dollar White, non-Hispanic men make.
4. Four out of 10 women experience gender discrimination and are much more likely to work a part-time job compared to men. Nearly 4 in 10 mothers are the primary breadwinners in their households, making pay equity critical to the financial security of their families.
5. Fair pay in California would strengthen the security of individuals and families today, regardless of education or socioeconomic status, while enhancing our statewide economy.
6. March 26 symbolizes the day in 2026 when the wages paid to women catch up to the wages paid to males from the previous year nationwide.

FISCAL EFFECT: This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by:

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: SCR 141

Author: Wahab (D), et al.

Introduced: 3/9/26

Vote: 21

SUBJECT: Women’s Equal Pay Day

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution recognizes March 26, 2026, as Women’s Equal Pay Day in California, in recognition of the need to eliminate the gender gap in earnings by women and to promote policies to ensure equal pay for all.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. More than 60 years after the passage of the federal Equal Pay Act of 1963, women, especially women of color, continue to suffer the consequences of unequal pay. March 26 symbolizes the day in 2026 when the wages paid to women catch up to the wages paid to males from the previous year nationwide.
2. According to the United States Census Bureau, women who work full time year round make less than $0.81 for every dollar a man is paid. The wage gap for Black, Latina, and Native American women is under $0.66 for every dollar White, non-Hispanic men make.
3. According to the United States Department of Labor, the median salary for women in 2024 was $57,520, while men earned a median of salary of $71,090. Black and Hispanic women have the lowest median salary earnings, with Hispanic women earning an average of $46,380 and Black women earning an average of $51,660.
4. Four out of 10 women experience gender discrimination and are much more likely to work a part-time job compared to men. Nearly 4 in 10 mothers are the primary breadwinners in their households, and nearly two-thirds of mothers are the primary or significant earners, making pay equity critical to the financial security of their families.
5. Fair pay in California would strengthen the security of individuals and families today, regardless of education or socioeconomic status, while enhancing our statewide economy.

This resolution proclaims March 26, 2026, as Women’s Equal Pay Day in California, in recognition of the need to eliminate the gender gap in earnings by women and to promote policies to ensure equal pay for all.

Related/Prior Legislation

ACR 53 (Bonta, Resolution Chapter 58, Statutes of 2025)

SR 31 (Wahab, 2025) – Adopted in Senate.

SCR 127 (Wahab, Resolution Chapter 79, Statutes of 2024)

SR 80 (Min, 2024) – Adopted in Senate.

HR 99 (Bains, 2024) – Adopted in Assembly.

ACR 42 (Addis, Resolution Chapter 44, Statutes of 2023)

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 3/16/26)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 3/16/26)

None received

Prepared by: Hunter Flynn / SFA / (916) 651-4171

3/18/26 13:52:51

**** END ****