Fast-food workers in California airports, stadiums and other similar venues would be exempted from the state’s new higher minimum wage for the industry under a measure approved by a state Senate panel Wednesday

The Senate Committee on Labor, Public Employment and Retirement unanimously approved the bill (A.B. 610) that would make a significant change from a 2023 law raising the minimum wage for workers at fast food chains in California to $20 an hour starting April 1. The current statewide minimum wage is $16 an hour.

The changes are backed by the union primarily representing these specific fast-food …