A bill by Assemblyman Rudy Salas, D-Bakersfield, that intends to keep drinking water safe and affordable by expanding state assistance to water systems in larger, severely disadvantaged communities, cleared the Assembly Environmental Safety & Toxics Materials Committee this week. Assembly Bill 560 was approved with a 7-0 vote. “Communities in California should not have to struggle to access safe drinking water at home,” Salas said in a news release. “The financial assistance in AB 560 will help cities like Arvin provide families with safe, clean drinking water at affordable rates.”