Senator Padilla’s plan ties Salton Sea restoration work to an enforceable commitment that every bidder, contractor, and sub-tier supplier use a skilled and trained workforce for all work within apprenticeship occupations in the building and construction trades on projects exceeding one million dollars, with the obligation taking effect for contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2026, unless a project labor agreement already requires such a workforce.
The measure would apply to Salton Sea restoration projects undertaken by the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Water Resources, or the Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Every tier” encompasses all contracts at any level necessary to carry out the project, including contracts for the supply and manufacture of off-site materials, but excludes transportation contracts. The requirement can be avoided if all construction work on the project is governed by a project labor agreement that requires a skilled and trained workforce. The proposal relies on definitions drawn from existing labor and public contract law for terms such as “project labor agreement” and “skilled and trained workforce.”
The bill’s findings describe concerns about poverty, health insurance coverage, wage gaps, and environmental conditions around the Salton Sea, framing the measure as a means to expand apprenticeship training and local employment through restoration work. Authors assert that a skilled and trained workforce brings higher paying jobs, medical insurance, and opportunities for training and development, and that expanding apprenticeship participation in Imperial County would accompany restoration activities.
Implementation and policy context center on a contractual approach rather than creating a new funding program. Enforceability is described in contractual terms as an “enforceable commitment,” but the text does not specify remedies, penalties, or a detailed enforcement process. The provision leverages existing definitions and structures from labor and public contract law, tying the new requirement to projects overseen by the listed state agencies and to the PLA carve-out, while excluding transportation contracts. This targeted approach aligns Salton Sea restoration governance with established apprenticeship and workforce concepts, and its broader implications hinge on contract administration, bid-document design, and coordination with existing labor-market programs in the affected region.
![]() Steve PadillaD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted |
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Senator Padilla’s plan ties Salton Sea restoration work to an enforceable commitment that every bidder, contractor, and sub-tier supplier use a skilled and trained workforce for all work within apprenticeship occupations in the building and construction trades on projects exceeding one million dollars, with the obligation taking effect for contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2026, unless a project labor agreement already requires such a workforce.
The measure would apply to Salton Sea restoration projects undertaken by the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Water Resources, or the Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Every tier” encompasses all contracts at any level necessary to carry out the project, including contracts for the supply and manufacture of off-site materials, but excludes transportation contracts. The requirement can be avoided if all construction work on the project is governed by a project labor agreement that requires a skilled and trained workforce. The proposal relies on definitions drawn from existing labor and public contract law for terms such as “project labor agreement” and “skilled and trained workforce.”
The bill’s findings describe concerns about poverty, health insurance coverage, wage gaps, and environmental conditions around the Salton Sea, framing the measure as a means to expand apprenticeship training and local employment through restoration work. Authors assert that a skilled and trained workforce brings higher paying jobs, medical insurance, and opportunities for training and development, and that expanding apprenticeship participation in Imperial County would accompany restoration activities.
Implementation and policy context center on a contractual approach rather than creating a new funding program. Enforceability is described in contractual terms as an “enforceable commitment,” but the text does not specify remedies, penalties, or a detailed enforcement process. The provision leverages existing definitions and structures from labor and public contract law, tying the new requirement to projects overseen by the listed state agencies and to the PLA carve-out, while excluding transportation contracts. This targeted approach aligns Salton Sea restoration governance with established apprenticeship and workforce concepts, and its broader implications hinge on contract administration, bid-document design, and coordination with existing labor-market programs in the affected region.
Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
39 | 0 | 1 | 40 | PASS |
![]() Steve PadillaD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted |