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Committee advances bill requiring skilled, trained local workforce for Salton Sea restoration projects
Summary
SB 369 would require use of a skilled and trained workforce for Salton Sea restoration work to protect workers and build a local pipeline; the committee passed the measure and sent it to Appropriations.
The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee voted to pass SB 369 and re-referred the measure to the Appropriations Committee. The bill would require that restoration projects at the Salton Sea use a skilled and trained local workforce to protect workers from hazardous exposures and to develop a durable pipeline of qualified local workers.
Author remarks and union testimony stressed the health risks associated with restoration work on the Salton Sea, including exposure to lake-bed dust and other hazards. "These are extremely toxic projects. We want to ensure that all workers are highly trained when they go into work on these projects," Matt Cremins of the California Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers said in support.
Proponents said current protections are applied administratively on design-build projects but argued that statute is needed to guarantee the protections regardless of procurement method. Supporters included regional building trades and local community organizations; no opposition testimony was recorded at the hearing.
Committee members approved the bill and referred it to Appropriations for fiscal review. Supporters argued statutory backing will safeguard state investments and worker protections as restoration work continues.
