Cal. Lab. Code § 1197 : CALIFORNIA LABOR CODE — EMPLOYMENT REGULATION AND SUPERVISION — EMPLOYEES — WAGES, HOURS AND WORKING CONDITIONS — Minimum wage paid to employees TEXT PDF The minimum wage for employees fixed by the commission or by any applicable state or local law, is the minimum wage to be paid to employees, and the payment of a lower wage than the minimum so fixed is unlawful. This section does not change the applicability of local minimum wage laws to any entity. Ca. Lab. Code § 1197 Amended by Stats 2015 ch 783 (AB 970),s 2, eff. 1/1/2016.