By WES SANDER

Capital Press

SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has not indicated whether he will sign or veto a bill requiring overtime pay and meal breaks for farm workers.

SB1121 by Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, would repeal exemptions for agriculture in state labor rules. It went to Schwarzenegger's desk after a July 1 Assembly vote of 47 to 28.

Agriculture's exemptions from overtime and break-time rules have existed for decades in California and other states. Farm groups say they are necessary because of the difficulties of hiring workers at specific times of the year while juggling weather-related constraints.

The bill would require overtime pay for work in excess of 40 hours per week and eight hours per day. Opponents argue the requirements could cause more farms to establish operations abroad.

The bill is opposed by a list of commodity and business groups, including the Agricultural Council of California, Western Growers and the California Farm Bureau Federation. It is supported by unions and worker-interest groups.

A spokeswoman said on July 5 that Schwarzenegger hasn't taken a position.

The governor has supported new heat-illness rules protecting farmworkers, but has vetoed attempts to make it easier for farmworkers to unionize.

The governor has 12 days once it reaches his desk to sign or veto the bill.