BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — More than a year after the Biden administration announced $180 billion for new green infrastructure projects in California, a new bill is aiming to ensure the contractors for those projects hire workers from underserved communities.

About 100 activists gathered at the state capitol Tuesday to urge the governor to support Senate Bill 1340.

If signed into law, the legislation will require state-funded contractors on large-scale infrastructure projects to commit to hiring people from diverse backgrounds and to report demographic hiring data.

“It’s more than just building the infrastructure. It’s about creating new pathways to deal with underrepresentation and it’s about addressing poverty and making sure those most disadvantaged have a way to participate in this economy and to grow our economy together,” Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D)-Los Angeles said.

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

17 News Alerts

In a statement, the American Subcontractors Association of California expressed opposition to the portion of the bill that will require contractors to report demographic hiring data.

That statement says in part:

Unfortunately, the extensive reporting requirements outlined in the bill will disproportionately burden smaller subcontractors. These businesses often lack the financial and administrative resources needed to comply with SB 1340 which will ultimately discourage them from participating in public works projects.

American Subcontractors Association of California

Gov. Gavin Newsom has yet to say where he stands on this bill.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.