A Bill to Protect Desert Student Athletes From the Heat Is Headed to the State Senate

A bill aimed at keeping student athletes safer in the desert heat passed the Assembly floor this week with bipartisan support, moving one step closer to becoming state law.

Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R-Bermuda Dunes) introduced AB 2503, which would require the California Interscholastic Federation to review and update its heat illness prevention guidelines to better account for conditions in extreme-heat regions like the Coachella Valley.

Right now, to avoid dangerous midday and afternoon temperatures, many schools often push practices late into the evening, creating ripple effects for families, coaches, and students juggling transportation, sleep, and academics.

"This bill is about making sure our kids can participate in the sports they love, with strong safety protections in place, while giving families and coaches the predictability they need," Wallis said.

It now heads to the Senate for committee assignments.