IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) — A controversial state bill aimed at majorly restructuring the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District board has been struck down by California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Governor Newsom officially vetoed Senate Bill 675, returning the legislation to the State Senate without his signature. The highly debated proposal, originally introduced by Senator Steve Padilla, sought to expand the local environmental oversight board from its current five county supervisors to an 11-member panel.

In his official veto message, Governor Newsom cited significant concerns regarding the financial burden the changes would place on local municipalities. The governor noted that the unfunded state mandate would impose massive financial obligations on Imperial County, its cities, and its residents without identifying a clear funding source to cover the new expenses.

The veto marks a major victory for Imperial County officials who fought aggressively against the legislation. Local leaders and independent third-party analysts previously warned that the mandate would require over one million dollars in tech upgrades alongside nearly five million dollars annually in ongoing staffing and air monitoring costs.

County supervisors warned those millions would have been drained directly from essential community needs—forcing funding for roads, public health, and fire departments to compete with new state-mandated bureaucracy.

With the governor’s definitive strike down before the end-of-month deadline, the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District board will remain under its current structural format.