The California state Senate has approved legislation that would make it a felony for farmers to violate the state’s heat protection laws.  The bill, authored by Assemblyman Charles Calderon, D-City of Industry, toughens existing law that makes violations a misdemeanor.  The measure is now in the Assembly where Mr. Calderon is majority leader. His bill would apply to agricultural workers and not more broadly to all workers who toil in the sun. (more) Aug. 22, 2012 Central Valley Business Times