Salton Sea: restoration projects: skilled and trained workforce.

Senator Padilla's legislation mandates the use of skilled and trained workers for Salton Sea restoration projects, establishing new requirements for state agencies undertaking environmental rehabilitation work in the region. Under the measure, contracts entered after January 1, 2026, must include commitments from all contractors and subcontractors to employ workers who have completed recognized apprenticeships or equivalent training programs for construction-related tasks.

The bill defines Salton Sea restoration projects as construction, repair, or improvement efforts exceeding $50,000 that contribute to ecosystem restoration. Projects operating under existing project labor agreements that already require skilled workforce participation would be exempt from the new requirements. The measure applies to all contract tiers involved in project execution, from primary contractors to material suppliers, though transportation services are specifically excluded.

This proposal emerges amid ongoing challenges at the Salton Sea, where declining water levels have exposed lake bed sediments and created air quality concerns for nearby communities. The bill's findings note that Imperial County, which borders the Salton Sea, faces significant economic challenges, with poverty rates nearly double the national average and median wages 25% below the California average. Through mandated use of skilled labor, the legislation aims to address both environmental restoration needs and local workforce development in the region.