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    SB-369
    Energy & Environment

    Salton Sea: restoration projects: skilled and trained workforce.

    Enrolled
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    0
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Imposes a skilled and trained workforce mandate on Salton Sea restoration projects over $1M.
    • Applies to the Natural Resources Agency, DWR, and DFW for contracts after Jan 1, 2026.
    • Mandates a skilled and trained workforce across all tiers, including off-site materials.
    • Exempts projects with a PLA that requires a skilled and trained workforce.

    Summary

    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.

    Key Dates

    Vote on Senate Floor
    Senate Floor
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Unfinished Business SB369 Padilla Concurrence
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    SB 369 Padilla Senate Third Reading By Ortega
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass as amended
    Assembly Labor And Employment Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Labor And Employment Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Labor and Employment]
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Senate Floor
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Senate 3rd Reading SB369 Padilla
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Placed on suspense file
    Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Governmental Organization]
    Introduced
    Senate Floor
    Introduced
    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Steve PadillaD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 1 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 1
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Steve PadillaD
    Senator
    Bill Author

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Steve Padilla
    Steve PadillaD
    California State Senator
    70% progression
    Bill has passed both houses in identical form and is being prepared for the Governor (9/10/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    September 10, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Floor
    Vote on Senate Floor
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    390140PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Imposes a skilled and trained workforce mandate on Salton Sea restoration projects over $1M.
    • Applies to the Natural Resources Agency, DWR, and DFW for contracts after Jan 1, 2026.
    • Mandates a skilled and trained workforce across all tiers, including off-site materials.
    • Exempts projects with a PLA that requires a skilled and trained workforce.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Steve Padilla
    Steve PadillaD
    California State Senator

    Summary

    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.

    70% progression
    Bill has passed both houses in identical form and is being prepared for the Governor (9/10/2025)

    Key Dates

    Vote on Senate Floor
    Senate Floor
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Unfinished Business SB369 Padilla Concurrence
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    SB 369 Padilla Senate Third Reading By Ortega
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass as amended
    Assembly Labor And Employment Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Labor And Employment Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Labor and Employment]
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Senate Floor
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Senate 3rd Reading SB369 Padilla
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Placed on suspense file
    Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Governmental Organization]
    Introduced
    Senate Floor
    Introduced
    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    September 10, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Floor
    Vote on Senate Floor
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    390140PASS

    Contacts

    Profile
    Steve PadillaD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 1 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 1
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Steve PadillaD
    Senator
    Bill Author