CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: 2026 Legislative Platform and Legislative Affairs Update
1. Motion to receive and file report; and
2. Motion to adopt 2026 Legislative Platform.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for March 3, 2026 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Glendale is proactive in legislative affairs and advocacy; this report provides the 2026 Legislative Platform, an overview of the bills the agency is tracking at this point in the legislative session, and the current legislative and funding priorities for the year ahead.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council note and file the report regarding the legislative update, and provide direction on informing the legislative platform as well as the legislative and funding priorities for 2026.
BACKGROUND
The City of Glendale’s Legislative Platform is an essential resource designed to strengthen City staff’s ability to carry out the City Council’s strategic direction and priorities. The Platform serves as a guide for focused advocacy efforts by establishing legislative positions and goals that protect and advance the interests of Glendale’s residents and business community.
The 2026 Legislative Platform provides a structure for advancing the City of Glendale’s legislative priorities at the regional and state levels by:
1.Improving Staff Responsiveness: Enabling staff to respond quickly to legislation, policies, and funding opportunities that may affect the City.
2.Advocating for Legislation: Actively supporting regional, state, and federal legislation, regulations, and funding opportunities that align with the City’s priorities, while opposing measures that are inconsistent with the City’s goals.
3.Providing Strategic Policy Input: Preparing clear and compelling position letters and resolutions to support, oppose, or influence legislation, regulations, and 6 6
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funding matters in a timely manner.
4.Strengthening Relationships with Decision-Makers: Maintaining consistent and strategic engagement with elected officials, regulatory agencies, and key stakeholders to advance Glendale’s priorities and pursue funding opportunities, including involving them in City events to foster stronger partnerships.
5.Promoting Transparency: Upholding a commitment to openness by sharing the Legislative Platform and updates, and by regularly communicating advocacy activities and outcomes with the community.
The City’s Legislative Platform is aligned with the City Council’s strategic priority areas, as follow:
Financial Sustainability
Economic Development
Operational Efficiency
Mobility, Traffic & Pedestrian Safety
The 2026 platform remains consistent on retaining local control, protecting the City’s finances and resources, and focusing on the City’s priorities, including:
1. Fiscal Responsibility
2. Economic Vibrancy
3. Informed & Engaged Community
4. Safe & Healthy Community
5. Balanced, Quality Housing
6. Community Services & Facilities
7. Infrastructure & Mobility
8. Arts & Culture
9. Sustainability
ANALYSIS
The 2026 legislative session began on January 5, 2026. The deadline for bills to be introduced was on February 20, 2026. Lawmakers were limited to introducing 35 bills in this session; 1,798 bills were introduced with over 1,100 of them in the final week ahead of the deadline.
In addition to proposed legislation, staff is monitoring the state and federal budget impacts to services and programming. Staff has been working proactively on legislative affairs, seeking funding opportunities and alternatives to maintain much-needed services to the community, including homeless and housing assistance ($4.6M), as well as English as a Second Language (ESL) programming ($90,000).
The City Council and legislative affairs staff met with the State elected officials (Schultz, Perez, Caloza) in January and February 2026 at the start of this legislative session to share the City’s legislative priorities and policy collaboration requests, as well as priority funding requests, for the year ahead.
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Glendale’s 2026 Legislative and Policy Collaboration Requests include:
- Timely implementation of AB 91 (Harabedian, MENA)
- Technical assistance and time for implementation of SB 70/SB 677 while we await the SB 908 trailer bill
- Support of ownership and missing middle housing
- California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Reform by way of AB 130 Glendale’s 2026 Funding Priorities include:
- Prop 4 funding for the future development of a park in South Glendale (former JoAnn’s Fabrics site - $6M of a $25M need)
- Upgrades to public safety systems and traffic technologies - Glendale Civic Auditorium ($5.6M)
- Rockhaven Sanitarium Rehabilitation ($27M)
- Glendale Youth Alliance ($500,000)
- Continuity Funding for English as a Second Language (ESL) ($90,000) - Continuity Funding for Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program ($4.6M) The City of Glendale will be hosting its annual Sacramento Advocacy Day on March 17- 18, 2026, where members of City Council and staff will be meeting with our elected officials, legislation authors staff and consultants, and various committees to further amplify Glendale’s priorities, and to inform the 2026 legislative session.
Staff will return to the City Council with an update in Summer 2026 to provide an overview of the State budget revise, as well as to facilitate any further legislative recommendations.
Staff will continue monitoring and staying proactive in legislative affairs efforts, and will keep Council apprised during this session, including facilitating any recommendations from City Commissions (Commission on the Status of Women, and Sustainability Commissions).
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
N/A
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1) Provide different direction on the 2026 Legislative Platform, Legislative and Policy Collaboration Requests and Funding Priorities.
2) Consider any other alternatives not proposed by staff. 6 6
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ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
Prepared by:
Domenica Megerdichian, Assistant to the City Manager
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit 1: Draft 2026 Legislative Platform
Exhibit 2: Glendale Legislative Tracking List