City of Chino
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS UPDATE (Attachment 1)
As of March 17, 2026 (March 24, 2026 City Council Agenda)
FEDERAL UPDATE
Eleven of the twelve appropriations bills have been signed into law, funding the government through September 30, 2026. Federal funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), however, has lapsed due to disagreements over immigration enforcement policies and the need for reforms. The impasse has led to the agency's shutdown, with lawmakers unable to reach an agreement on how to fund the department for the remainder of fiscal year 2026.
Last week, the Senate attempted to pass the DHS spending bill, but it failed 51-45; 60 votes were necessary to limit debate and move forward. The House voted to advance its Homeland Security spending bill 221-209.
Federal FY 2027 Budget
The White House budget is expected to be sent to Congress in late March or April. This will be the unofficial start of the FY 2027 fiscal cycle. Forms for appropriations (“earmark”) requests were released by both the House and Senate.
Submission of City of Chino Funding Requests for Federal FY 2027 The City of Chino submitted three “earmark” applications to our federal representatives, Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Adam Schiff, and Congresswoman Norma Torres, requesting that the projects be included in their FY 2027 appropriations bill submissions.
Monte Vista Park Expansion and Upgrades Project - $1.6 million in Community Project Funding requested from Congresswoman Norma Torres Monte Vista Park is one of Chino’s most historic and heavily used neighborhood parks. Its splash pad, basketball courts, and Teen Center programs are central to youth engagement and family recreation in the community’s older neighborhoods. The proposed expansion into the adjacent ½-acre City-owned parcel, including additional parking, expanded stalls, and improved accessibility via compliant access ramps, will address long-standing infrastructure constraints. Additional on-site parking will ease pressure on surrounding residential streets, while enhanced pedestrian connectivity will improve safety and walkability.
Chino Police Department Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) Upgrade - $1,800,500 million in Community Project Funding requested from Congresswoman Norma Torres The proposed project will relocate the RTCC to a larger operational space and expand its technological capabilities to support up to six analyst workstations. The scope of work includes the acquisition and installation of modern telecommunications, audio-visual, and data equipment and systems. This modernization will expand operational capacity, support the addition of future analysts, strengthen real-time support to Patrol and the Detective Bureau during critical incidents, and enhance investigative efficiency.
Heritage Park Upgrades and Infrastructure Improvements Project - $4 million in Congressionally Directed Spending requested from Senator Alex Padilla and Senator Adam Schiff The Heritage Park Project is a comprehensive capital initiative to modernize aging infrastructure, enhance accessibility, and improve sustainability within the roughly nine acres of Heritage Park—home to one of Chino’s Little League programs and a vital youth athletics hub. The project includes code-compliance upgrades, safety improvements, and enhancements to equipment and access. A new shaded playground with modern, safety-certified equipment and ADA-compliant impact-attenuating surfacing will be installed to serve families attending games and expand inclusive, multi-generational recreation opportunities.
Status of Funding Awards for Federal FY 2026
The following funding was secured by Congresswoman Norma Torres for the City of Chino. Designated staff from the applicable federal agencies will be coordinating with City staff to execute the required funding agreements and project documents.
Chino Valley Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center Project (EPIC) Congresswoman Norma Torres secured $2,000,000 for EPIC in the FY26 Transportation Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill under the Economic Development Initiatives account. This initiative will help fund a business launch program and facility in Downtown Chino that will house diverse programming from its partners to support social enterprises and emerging entrepreneurs across sectors, including retail, fashion, arts, design, film, and technology.
Benson Water Treatment Facility Emergency Power Generator Project (Benson Generator) HR 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act of 2026, includes $1,092,000 for Chino's Benson Backup Generator Project under the State and Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG) Drinking Water SRF account, at Congresswoman Torres' request. This project will help the City maintain its main water treatment facility online during brownouts, earthquakes, and other manmade or natural disasters. It will enhance the effectiveness of the City’s Emergency Response Plan for the public drinking water system by installing emergency power-generating capability at this facility. This will allow the City to mitigate the adverse effects of any long-term power loss that can interrupt water supply access and treatment.
STATE TRACKED STATE LEGISLATION REPORTS
The reports on tracked state legislation, one sorted by measure number and the other by subject, are included in Attachment 2. February 20 was the deadline to introduce bills for the second year of this legislative session. Staff has identified 119 bills of potential interest to the City, with additional bills being added and some removed from tracking based on staff input. Many additional “spot bills” remain, likely to be amended with substantive language as they move through the process before the legislative deadlines.
The positions noted on bills are based on the City Council's adopted Legislative Policy. Additional positions may be taken, or existing positions may be modified based on direction from the Legislative Committee or City Council. Bills sponsored by the League of California Cities are noted in the reports.
POSITION LETTERS & MAJOR ISSUES
The City submitted the following letters since the last report on the City Council agenda (Attachment 3):
County of San Bernardino City Selection Committee - Request for Consideration by the City Selection Committee for Appointment as Alternate Member to LAFCO (February 6, 2026).
League of California Cities Board of Directors - Opposition to Proposed Policy on the Allocation of Bradley-Burns 1% Sales Tax on E-Commerce Transactions (February 17, 2026).
League of California Cities Board of Directors – Joint letter of Opposition to the Revenue and Taxation Policy Committee Recommendation Regarding Bradley-Burns E-Commerce Revenue Allocation (February 18, 2026).
STATE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR – Recent and Upcoming Legislative Deadlines Feb. 20
Last day for bills to be introduced.
Mar. 26
Spring Recess begins upon adjournment.
Mar. 30
Cesar Chavez Day observed.
Apr. 6
Legislature reconvenes from Spring Recess.
Apr. 24
Last day for policy committees to hear and report to fiscal committees fiscal bills introduced in their house.
May 1
Last day for policy committees to hear and report to the Floor non-fiscal bills introduced in their house.
May 8
Last day for policy committees to meet prior to June 1.
May 15
Last day for fiscal committees to hear and report to the Floor bills introduced in their house. Last day for fiscal committees to meet prior to June 1.
May 25
Memorial Day.
May 26 – 29
Floor Session only. No committees, other than conference or Rules committees, may meet for any purpose.
May 29
Last day for each house to pass bills introduced in that house. 11 1
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