3.0 Position Letters 2026-09-08 City Council — Chino City Council, September 15, 2026

EUNICE M. ULLOA CAREN C. COMSTOCK
Mayor HRISTOPHER FLORE

The Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) was designed to address a wide range of issues involving public employee pensions and was a major step in helping local agencies better manage future pension costs and prevent the California Public Employees Retirement System from sliding into insolvency. AB 1383 would upend many of the reforms enacted by PEPRA in 2013.

While we recognize and appreciate the bill's intent to support the recruitment and retention of essential public safety professionals, it would increase mandated costs without funding. The potential cost of this bill comes at a time of uncertainty. Fiscal volatility in the market, compounded by increased benefit costs from this bill, could lead to significant cost increases for local governments.

AB 1383 increases mandated costs without a way for public agencies to absorb them.

The potential cost of this bill comes amid fiscal uncertainty. Much like the state, local agencies are facing budget challenges, as revenues are not keeping pace with the costs of delivering services or new mandates, and they are experiencing significant resource losses and heightened responsibilities, leaving local governments with few options but to implement cuts across all departments.

AB 1383 would increase benefit costs and create new cost pressures, leading to significant increases in local government costs. As of June 30, 2025, the Public 13220 Central Avenue, Chino, California 91710
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 667, Chino, California 91708-0667 (909) 334-3250 • (909) 334-3720 Fax
Web Site: www.cityofchino.org
Hon. Newsom, AB 1383
September 3, 2026, p.2
Employees Retirement Fund (PERF) was approximately 79% funded, with the shortfall passed on to local agencies in CaPERS and the State. If CaPERS misses its investment return mark of .8%, the additional costs will also be passed along.

While our city understands the importance of competitive recruitment and retention for all public employees, AB 1383 represents an unfunded mandate that fails to balance sustainable retirement benefits with taxpayer fairness and long-term financial stability. For these reasons, the City of Chino strongly opposes AB 1383 and urges you to VETO this bill.

Sincerely,
buria mila
Eunice
Mayor
EUNICE M. ULLOA KAREN C. COMSTOCK
Mayor CHRISTOPHER FLORES

On behalf of the City of Chino, we respectfully urge you to veto SB 1414 (Reyes). In 2020, San Bernardino County voters approved Measure J, establishing the County's current redistricting process. Residents and stakeholders participated extensively in the 2021 redistricting cycle through public meetings, multiple draft maps, and opportunities to provide input in person, virtually, and in writing. The resulting maps have not faced a legal challenge.

SB 1414 would replace that voter-approved process with a state-mandated independent commission without demonstrating that the existing system has failed.

As a local government agency, we are concerned about the precedent of the state overriding a decision made by local voters absent a clear and demonstrated need for intervention.

This concern extends well beyond County government. Cities, public safety organizations, labor organizations, and business and industry groups throughout the region have opposed SB 1414 because the fundamental question remains unanswered: why should San Bernardino County's voter-approved process be replaced?
This is not about whether an independent redistricting commission can be an appropriate model. It is about whether the state should mandate that model for a single county without demonstrating why its existing process should be set aside. 13220 Central Avenue, Chino, California 91710
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 667, Chino, California 91708-0667 (909) 334-3250 • (909) 334-3720 Fax
Web Site: www.cityofchino.org
Hon. Newsom, SB 1414
September 3, 2026, p.2
Governor, we respectfully urge you to veto SB 1414 and preserve the ability of San Bernardino County voters to determine how their local redistricting process operates.

Sincerely,
Burian allea
Eunice M. Ulloa
Mayor, City of Chino
EUNICE M. ULLOA KAREN C. COMSTOCK
Mayor CHRISTOPHER FLORES

MARC LUCIO
Council Members
CURTIS BURTON DR. LINDA REICH
Mayor Pro Tem City Manager
CITY of CHINO
September 3, 2026
The Honorable Governor Gavin Newsom
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
Via email: [email protected]
RE: SB 342 (Umberg) Contractors Unlicensed Work, VETO request Dear Governor Newsom:

The City of Chino respectfully requests that you veto SB 342 (Umberg), which would weaken existing contractor licensure enforcement requirements for public works projects and shift additional administrative, legal, and financial burdens onto public agencies.

California's contractor license regulations serve an essential public purpose by assuring that individuals performing complex and public safety construction work meet the legal qualifications and accountability requirements. The penalties for conducting work without the proper license are not accidental; rather, they represent a purposeful legislative goal to actively discourage unlicensed contracting and safeguard the public, a policy that California courts have consistently acknowledged and affirmed. In addition to protecting public agencies and taxpayers from the hazards associated with unlicensed activity, current enforcement procedures offer contractors a strong incentive to maintain valid licensing through completion of a contract.

By reducing the financial repercussions of periods of unlicensed work, SB 342 would weaken the incentive to maintain proper licensing. It is the responsibility of contractors, not public entities, to keep their licenses current, and the agencies that hire them or the taxpayers who pay for the work shouldn't bear the repercussions if they don't.

SB 342 would increase administrative burdens on public agencies by requiring them to determine what share of payments is attributable to licensed versus unlicensed periods of labor. For large, multi-year infrastructure projects, this could require extensive review of project schedules, invoices, billing periods, change orders, and overlapping phases of construction. If a contractor fails to renew its license, these 13220 Central Avenue. Chino. California 91710
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 667, Chino, California 91708-0667 (909) 334-3250 • (909) 334-3720 Fax
Web Site: www.cityofchino.org
Hon. Newsom, SB 342
September 3, 2026,
p.2
requirements could also result in additional administrative, audit, and litigation expenses for local governments.

These added responsibilities would place further demands on local agencies that are already managing increasing costs and responsibilities associated with public services and infrastructure. Staff time and public resources devoted to reviewing contractor licensing and compensation could be diverted from infrastructure delivery and other essential services. The bill could also create uncertainty and disputes regarding contractor compensation and the administration of public works contracts.

Current law establishes a clear standard for contractors performing work in California, they must remain properly licensed. This requirement promotes compliance and accountability while placing responsibility for maintaining a valid license on the contractor. SB 342 would shift that responsibility toward public agencies and create a more complicated system for determining payment eligibility when a licensing lapse occurs.

SB 342 would weaken existing enforcement protections that are currently the contractor's responsibility and make public agencies responsible for additional reviews and determinations. Maintaining a clear contractor licensing framework is essential to protecting public safety, safeguarding taxpayer resources, and ensuring accountability in the delivery of California's public infrastructure.

For these reasons, the City of Chino respectfully opposes SB 342 and urges Governor Newsom to veto the bill.

Sincerely,
Buse lea
Mayor
EUNICE M. ULLOA KAREN C. COMSTOCK
Mayor CHRISTOPHER FLORES

MARC LUCIO
Council Members
CURTIS BURTON DR. LINDA REICH
Mayor Pro Tem City Manager
CITY of CHINO
September 3, 2026
The Honorable Governor Gavin Newsom
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
Via email: [email protected]
RE: AB 1198 (Haney) Public Works: Prevailing Wages, VETO request Dear Governor Newsom:

The City of Chino respectfully requests that you veto AB 1198 (Haney), which would introduce new and potentially unpredictable costs into public works contracts after projects have already been bid, budgeted, and awarded.

While the bill has been amended to narrow its scope, AB 1198 continues to raise the same concerns identified in Governor Brown's veto of AB 1140 (Daly, 2013) and your veto of AB 2182 (Haney, 2024): more uncertainty for public agencies, higher costs for taxpayers, and the potential for project costs to increase. Although amended, AB 1198 has not been narrowed enough to address the concerns that led to the prior vetoes of this policy.

We are more concerned with shifting project expenses after a contract has been granted. According to current legislation, prevailing wage rates and planned increases are available when a project is put out to bid. Cities can develop budgets, secure funding, evaluate bids, and award contracts with an accurate understanding of the project cost when contractors include those known costs in their proposals. AB 1198 would compromise that guarantee by requiring certain new prevailing wage determinations issued after contract award to apply during the life of the project.

Cities cannot simply absorb unanticipated costs. Public infrastructure projects are commonly financed through fixed appropriations, state and federal grants, bond proceeds, voter-approved revenues, and adopted local budgets. Cities may be forced to alter project scope, postpone other infrastructure investments, seek additional funding, or delay projects because of increased costs imposed after contract award. Ultimately, taxpayers bear the costs, often at the expense of other public projects.
13220 Central Avenue, Chino, California 91710
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 667, Chino, California 91708-0667 (909) 334-3250 • (909) 334-3720 Fax
Web Site: www.cityofchino.org
Hon. Newsom, AB 1198
September 3, 2026, p. 2
The recent amendment limiting AB 1198 to projects of $35 million or more only addresses one component of the targeted approach proposed by local agencies.

We aimed to limit the bill to projects exceeding $35 million, lasting more than 24 months, and utilizing alternative project delivery methods. The bill does not sufficiently address the fiscal and project-delivery concerns flagged by local public agencies without those further protections, and it still applies to shorter-duration and traditionally delivered projects.

Chino has more than 80 capital improvement projects planned or already underway, including road, water, sewer, traffic, and public facility improvements. If costs increase after a contract has been awarded, the City may have to find additional funding or delay other planned improvements.

Public funds should be used to complete properly budgeted projects rather than absorb unwarranted and unforeseen cost increases after contracts have been awarded. Considering the increasing costs of construction and California's growing infrastructure demands, the issues that prompted earlier vetoes of this policy are still unresolved.

For these reasons, the City of Chino respectfully opposes AB 1198 and urges Governor Newsom to VETO this bill.

Sincerely,
Parison balla
Eunice M.

Mayor
EUNICE M. ULLOA KAREN C. COMSTOCK
Mayor CHRISTOPHER FLORES

MARC LUCIO
Council Members
CURTIS BURTON DR. LINDA REICH
Mayor Pro Tem City Manager
CITY of CHINO
September 3, 2026
The Honorable Gavin Newsom
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: SB 1187 (Durazo): Open meetings - Request for Signature Dear Governor Newsom,
On behalf of the City of Chino, I write to respectfully request your signature on $B 1187 (Durazo), which will remove specific requirements for local agencies to translate agendas for legislative body meetings subject to the Brown Act, as well as other sections regarding accommodation of interpretation and other language services for those meetings.

SB 1187 directly addresses concerns raised by both local agencies and language access advocates. While prescriptive requirements for agenda translation and general requirements for accommodation of language accessibility would be struck by this bill, nothing prevents local agencies from pursuing their own efforts to improve meeting accessibility through translation or interpretation services. To ensure SB 1187 (Durazo) can provide relief for local agencies, it includes an urgency clause so it would take effect immediately upon your signature.

For these reasons, we are pleased to support SB 1187 and respectfully request your signature on the bill.

Sincerely,
Buria Malea
Eunice
Mayor
13220 Central Avenue, Chino, California 91710
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 667, Chino, California 91708-0667 (909) 334-3250 • (909) 334-3720 Fax
Web Site: www.cityofchino.org
EUNICE M. ULLOA KAREN C. COMSTOCK
Mayor CHRISTOPHER FLORES

MARC LUCIO
Council Members
CURTIS BURTON DR. LINDA REICH
Mayor Pro Tem City Manager
CITY of CHINO
September 3, 2026
The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor, State of California
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
Via email: [email protected]
Re: AB 1821 (Pacheco) California Public Records Act: Agency Response Time, Request for Signature
Dear Governor Newsom,
On behalf of the City of Chino, I write to request that you SIGN AB 1821 (Pacheco), which would make several important updates to the California Public Records Act, including preserving the clarification that certain agency response periods are calculated in business days rather than calendar days. The bill also addresses designated methods for submitting public records requests and limited fee authority for commercial use requests and requests determined by a court to have been submitted with malicious intent.

Public agencies are committed to transparency and providing timely access to public records. At the same time, the volume, complexity, and format of public records have changed significantly. Requests now routinely involve large volumes of email, text messages, electronic files, audio and video recordings, body-worn camera footage, and other digital records that must be searched, reviewed, and, when legally required, redacted before release. This work often requires coordination among multiple departments, information technology staff, legal counsel, and records personnel.

Current law requires an agency to make its initial determination within 10 calendar days, with a possible 14-calendar-day extension under unusual circumstances.

Because those timeframes include weekends and holidays, agencies may not have the full number of working days needed to conduct a thorough, legally compliant review. AB 1821 would provide a more practical and consistent framework by Mailing Address: P.O. Box 667, Chino, California 91708-0667 (909) 334-3250 • (909) 334-3720 Fax
Web Site: www.cityofchino.org
Hon. Newsom, AB 1821
September 3, 2026, p.2
changing those periods to 10 and 14 business days, respectively. This important change remains in the bill as amended on June 10, 2026.

The June 10 amendments also recognize the importance of clear intake procedures for public records requests. AB 1821 would require agencies to designate a physical office location and a specified email address for submission of requests, while allowing agencies to identify other reasonable submission methods, such as a mailing address or online portal. This would help provide clarity to both requesters and agencies, reduce confusion about whether a request has been properly submitted, and support timely processing through established public-facing channels.

This adjustment is especially important for local agencies where staffing is limited and public records responsibilities are often carried out by employees who also support public meetings, elections, boards and commissions, agenda management, contract routing, records management, and other core services. A business-day standard would not reduce an agency's obligation to respond to records requests or make disclosable records available. Rather, it would help ensure that agencies have a reasonable opportunity to identify responsive records, determine whether exemptions apply, protect confidential or legally protected information, and provide accurate responses.

AB 1821 would also provide limited authority to recover search and review costs for commercial use requests, while exempting requests made by educational or non- commercial scientific institutions, government agencies, and representatives of the news media. The bill would also allow an agency to petition the superior court for a determination that a request was submitted with malicious intent before imposing search and review fees in that circumstance. These provisions are intended to preserve access for public-interest requesters while recognizing the significant staff time and public resources that may be required to process certain requests.

For the City of Chino, public records requests have increased significantly and become more complex, requiring more interdepartmental coordination in recent years. In 2025, the City of Chino received approximately 6,085 requests (1,114 by the City Clerk and 4,971 by Chino PD), many of which required review of emails, text messages, video footage, police records, contracts, personnel records, and numerous other documents. By comparison, in 2022, the City received a total of 4,787 requests, 487 by the City and 3,186 by Chino PD. Even when staff work diligently, weekends and holidays can materially reduce the actual time available to complete Hon. Newsom, AB 1821
September 3, 2026, p.3
the required review. AB 1821 would provide a more realistic timeline while preserving the public's right to access disclosable public records.

California's local agency clerks, records managers, and other public records professionals see firsthand how important it is to balance prompt public access with careful legal compliance. AB 1821 supports that balance. It recognizes that public records work is not simply a matter of locating a document; it frequently requires thoughtful review to protect privacy, privileged communications, confidential information, and other records exempt from disclosure under state or federal law.

For these reasons, the City of Chino supports AB 1821 and urges you to sign it. sincerely,
Mayor
EUNICE M. ULLOA KAREN C. COMSTOCK
Mayor CHRISTOPHER FLORES

MARC LUCIO
Council Members
CURTIS BURTON DR. LINDA REICH
Mayor Pro Tem City Manager
CITY of CHINO
September 3, 2026
The Honorable Governor Gavin Newsom
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
Via email: [email protected]
RE: AB 1537 (Bryan) Peace Officers: Secondary Employment, VETO request Dear Governor Newsom:

The City of Chino respectfully requests that you veto AB 1537 (Bryan), which prohibits California peace officers from accepting certain secondary employment involving federal immigration enforcement. The bill creates vague employment restrictions, expands grounds for peace officer decertification, and imposes additional reporting and public records requirements on law enforcement agencies.

Of particular concern, AB 1537 prohibits secondary employment that "involves engaging in" arresting, detaining, transporting, or deporting individuals pursuant to federal immigration laws but does not clearly define what level of involvement constitutes a violation. This ambiguity creates uncertainty for officers, employing agencies, and the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).

Despite this ambiguity, AB 1537 defines a violation as "serious misconduct" that could ultimately lead to the decertification of a peace officer. Officers shouldn't be subjected to such an extreme penalty based on an employment limitation that lacks clear and objective standards, since decertification is a career-ending result.

Additionally, the measure would deter officers from taking secondary employment with federal agencies involved in legitimate public safety operations such as gang activity, narcotics, human trafficking, terrorism, or fugitives. The broad language creates unnecessary uncertainty regarding whether participation in these activities could place an officer's state certification at risk.

Furthermore, AB 1537 imposes additional administrative obligations by requiring the reporting of certain conditional offers of secondary employment and requiring agencies to maintain and publicly disclose related records without sufficiently clear implementation or retention standards.
13220 Central Avenue, Chino, California 91710
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 667, Chino, California 91708-0667 (909) 334-3250 • (909) 334-3720 Fax
Web Site: www.cityofchino.org
Hon. Newsom, AB 1537
September 3, 2026, p.2
California has comprehensive laws to govern the interactions between state and local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. AB 1537 adds vague restrictions, significant professional consequences, and additional administrative burdens without demonstrating the existing law is inadequate.

For these reasons, the City of Chino respectfully opposes SB 1537 and urges Governor Newsom to VETO this bill.

Mayor
EUNICE M. ULLOA KAREN C. COMSTOCK
Mayor CHRISTOPHER FLORES

MARC LUCIO
Council Members
CURTIS BURTON DR. LINDA REICH
Mayor Pro Tem City Manager
CITY of CHINO
September 3, 2026
The Honorable Governor Gavin Newsom
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
Via email: [email protected]
RE: AB 2257 (Hart) Corrections: Jail Administrators, VETO request Dear Governor Newsom:

The City of Chino respectfully requests that you veto AB 2257 (Hart), which would authorize a county board of supervisors to establish the position of jail administrator and grant that individual executive authority over county jail operations, staff, and incarcerated persons.

Sheriffs are independently elected county officials who are accountable to the communities they serve and are subject to oversight through the courts, the California Attorney General, civil grand juries, the Board of State and Community Corrections, and other applicable state and federal entities. Many sheriffs also currently employ chief deputies, assistant sheriffs, or other command personnel specifically responsible for overseeing correctional operations.

AB 2257 would complicate the existing structure by including a county board of supervisors in the selection and confirmation process for a sheriff's jail administrator.

This procedure could limit a sheriff's ability to select the candidate they determine is best qualified to manage jail operations and could introduce political considerations into a critical public safety role.

The bill would complicate the existing process for selecting, confirming, overseeing, and replacing a jail administrator. These changes may create uncertainty about authority and accountability and could raise civil service concerns if a current jail administrator is not confirmed or reconfirmed by the board.

There is no conclusive evidence that reorganizing county prison governance in this way will enhance jail operations, accountability, or results. AB 2257 risks creating unnecessary conflict between independently elected sheriffs and county boards while making the responsibility for jail operations less clear. 13220 Central Avenue, Chino, California 91710
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 667, Chino, California 91708-0667 (909) 334-3250 • (909) 334-3720 Fax
Web Site: www.cityofchino.org
Hon. Newsom, AB 2257
September 3, 2026, p.2
For these reasons, the City of Chino respectfully opposes AB 2257 and urges Governor Newsom to VETO this bill.
sincerely.

Eunice M. Ulloa
Mayor
EUNICE M. ULLOA KAREN C. COMSTOCK
Mayor CHRISTOPHER FLORES

MARC LUCIO
Council Members
CURTIS BURTON DR. LINDA REICH
Mayor Pro Tem City Manager
CITY of CHINO
September 3, 2026
The Honorable Governor Gavin Newsom
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
Via email: [email protected]
RE: SB 1004 (Wiener) Law Enforcement: Masks, VETO request Dear Governor Newsom:

The City of Chino respectfully requests that you veto SB 1004 (Wiener), which seeks to address concerns regarding the use of facial coverings by law enforcement. While we support measures that promote transparency, accountability, and public trust, SB 1004 raises significant concerns regarding officer safety, vague operational standards, and increased civil liability for California peace officers and their employing agencies.

Peace officers regularly operate in risky and evolving environments where protective equipment may be needed to guard against physical injury, hazardous materials, airborne contaminants, projectiles, and other hazards. SB 1004 attempts to address issues brought up while SB 627 was being considered; however, the suggested exclusions continue to be excessively restrictive. For instance, officers temporarily assisting in tactical operations or members of other specialized teams who face comparable dangers face the possibility of not being protected by the SWAT personnel safeguards.

We are particularly concerned with language that requires certain facial coverings to be used only when "no other reasonable alternative exists." Officers regularly make safety judgments in seconds depending on the situation they face. This standard encourages those decisions to be second-guessed, creating confusion about when protective equipment can be used.

Additionally, SB 1004 could create uncertainty for officers and public agencies by making the use of necessary protective equipment dependent on the intent behind its use. This could make it harder for officers to make quick decisions in dangerous situations and may expose agencies to unnecessary litigation over actions taken in the field.
13220 Central Avenue, Chino, California 91710
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 667, Chino, California 91708-0667 (909) 334-3250 • (909) 334-3720 Fax
Web Site: www.cityofchino.org
Hon. Newsom, SB 1004
September 3, 2026, p. 2
Transparency and officer safety can and should work together. California can promote accountability while also prioritizing officers' safety.

For these reasons, the City of Chino respectfully opposes SB 1004 and urges Governor Newsom to VETO this bill.

Sincerely,
Mayor

Chino City CouncilSeptember 15, 2026

Chino City Council
September 15, 2026