SB-369 • 2026

Salton Sea: restoration projects: skilled and trained workforce.

Labor

Vetoed

The latest official action shows the governor vetoed this bill. Check the bill history to see whether lawmakers later overrode that veto.

Sponsor: Padilla
Last action: 2026-03-02
Official status: Veto sustained.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's status is 'Vetoed' and there are no indications of an override attempt.

Skilled Workers for Salton Sea Projects

This law requires state agencies working on large restoration projects at the Salton Sea to use trained workers from specific jobs in construction.

What This Bill Does

Requires specified state agencies undertaking a Salton Sea restoration project costing more than $1,000,000 to obtain an enforceable commitment that every bidder, contractor, subcontractor, or other entity at every tier will use a skilled and trained workforce for all work within apprenticeship occupations in the building and construction trades.
Applies only if a project costs over $1,000,000 and starts after January 1, 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

State agencies working on Salton Sea restoration projects costing more than $1,000,000
Bidders, contractors, subcontractors, or other entities involved in these projects

Terms To Know

Skilled and trained workforce: Workers who have special training or experience in specific jobs.
Apprenticeship occupation: A job where workers learn a trade through hands-on work and classroom instruction.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill was vetoed by the governor, so it is not currently in effect.
It only applies to projects costing more than $1,000,000 starting from January 1, 2026.

Bill History

2026-03-02 California Legislative Information
Veto sustained.
2026-03-02 California Legislative Information
Stricken from file.
2025-10-13 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Consideration of Governor's veto pending.
2025-10-13 California Legislative Information
Vetoed by the Governor.
2025-09-17 California Legislative Information
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
2025-09-10 California Legislative Information
Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 2763.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
2025-09-08 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
2025-09-08 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 69. Noes 5. Page 3001.) Ordered to the Senate.
2025-09-03 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-09-02 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
2025-08-29 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 13. Noes 1.) (August 29).
2025-08-20 California Legislative Information
August 20 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file.
2025-07-10 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (July 9). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-07-01 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on L. & E. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (July 1). Re-referred to Com. on L. & E.
2025-06-09 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on W. P., & W. and L. & E.
2025-06-03 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
2025-06-02 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 33. Noes 2. Page 1365.) Ordered to the Assembly.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 0. Page 1198.) (May 23).
2025-05-16 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing May 23.
2025-04-21 California Legislative Information
April 21 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
2025-04-04 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 21.
2025-04-03 California Legislative Information
April 7 hearing postponed by committee.
2025-03-28 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 7.
2025-03-26 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-03-26 California Legislative Information
Withdrawn from committee.
2025-03-25 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on G.O. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 532.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on G.O.
2025-03-17 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W.
2025-03-12 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing March 25.
2025-02-26 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on N.R. & W. and G.O.
2025-02-14 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 16.
2025-02-13 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 369, Padilla.
Salton Sea: restoration projects: skilled and trained workforce.
Existing law requires the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, in consultation and coordination with the Salton Sea Authority, to lead Salton Sea restoration efforts. Existing law, to the extent that funding is appropriated to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for Salton Sea restoration activities, authorizes the Department of Water Resources, in coordination and under agreement with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, to undertake certain restoration efforts.
This bill would require, except as provided, specified state agencies undertaking a Salton Sea restoration project in excess of $1,000,000 to obtain, as part of a contract entered into on or after January 1, 2026, an enforceable commitment that every bidder, contractor,
subcontractor, or other entity at every tier, as defined, shall use a skilled and trained workforce, as provided, to perform all work that falls within an apprenticeship occupation in the building and construction trades.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF