Newsletter

Nominations Now Open + Important Community & Legislative Updates

Hello, friends,

There’s never a dull moment in Sacramento—but this time of year is especially busy. As we work to finalize the State Budget and move hundreds of bills through key deadlines, I’m proud that my 2026 legislative package has successfully advanced through Senate policy committees. This week, we’ll learn which proposals pass the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Back home in the district, we recently celebrated Senate District 29’s Women of Distinction and Woman of the Year—a powerful reminder of the many ways people across the Inland Empire are strengthening our communities every day. Congratulations to the 2026 Women of Distinction and 2026 Woman of the Year, Connie Leyva - Chief Executive Officer of KVCR and former State Senator. 

If you know someone making a difference, I encourage you to submit a nomination for our Community Honors. We are currently accepting nominations for Veteran of the Year and Man of the Year through May 31.

Read on for updates on our legislative progress, community recognitions, and some of the many opportunities to ensure full representation of the Inland Empire in state government, and to bring state resources home. 

 

 

Protecting Communities, Expanding Opportunity

Collage of Senator Reyes in the Capitol

One of the most important roles of government is to protect people and ensure equitable access to justice, resources, and a healthy environment. Each year, my team and I build a legislative package grounded in these values—focused on expanding opportunity, strengthening civil rights, and making government more responsive to the communities we serve.

Recently, Assemblymember Mike Fong and I co-hosted a press conference at the State Capitol to highlight two important bills supporting student success. My bill, SB 1255, would establish a statewide designation for California Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), while Assemblymember Fong’s AB 2374 would create a similar designation for Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANHPI). The legislation follows the recent designation of California’s Black Serving Institutions (BSIs) through SB 1348 (Bradford, 2024). We were proud to stand alongside students and education leaders—including many from San Bernardino County—to support these efforts to better serve California’s diverse student population. You can learn more about these bills here. 

I’m also grateful to the many community members who showed up to support two additional key measures. Your voices made a real difference.

SB 873 would protect the integrity of our justice system by limiting indiscriminate ICE arrests near courthouses. It requires a judicial warrant for arrests on courthouse grounds and ensures agents identify themselves—helping safeguard access to justice for all.

SB 1075 strengthens enforcement of landmark community air protections by increasing accountability, oversight, and alignment with community-driven air quality plans—especially in areas disproportionately impacted by pollution.

Thank you to everyone who has shared their stories, advocated, and engaged in this process. Government works best when it reflects the voices of the people it serves.

To stay up to date on these bills and my full 2026 Legislative Package, I invite you to visit the Legislation page on our website and follow our progress.

 

 

Serving and Celebrating Our Community

Collage of Senator Reyes in the District

While our Capitol team advances legislation, my district office works directly with constituents—helping navigate state services, connecting local partners with available resources, and uplifting the individuals and organizations making a difference across the Inland Empire.

Last month, we hosted our annual celebration honoring the 2026 Woman of the Year and Women of Distinction. It was an inspiring event and a powerful reminder of the leadership, innovation, and dedication shaping our communities every day. You can read more about this year’s honorees—and view and download photos from the event—on my website. Be sure to check out our recap reel for a glimpse of the day. Congratulations to our 2026 Woman of the Year, Connie Leyva!

We are now accepting nominations for our Summer Community Honors, recognizing those making a meaningful impact across Senate District 29. Nominations for 2026 Man of the Year and 2026 Veteran of the Year are open through May 31.

Please note: Nominations for Small Business of the Year and Non-Profit of the Year have closed. Honorees in these categories will still be recognized at the event, with additional details to be shared soon.

Nominees must:

  • Live, work or volunteer, or primarily serve within Senate District 29
  • Be associated with the city selected on the nomination form
  • Demonstrate significant service, leadership, or positive community impact

You may submit multiple nominations per category—we know how difficult it is to choose just one.

To stay updated on upcoming events, visit my website or follow along on social media: @seneloisereyes
 

 

One More Thing: Connecting Our Community to Opportunity

Ensuring the Inland Empire is well-represented at the state level means not only advocating for our region, but actively connecting our communities to the resources that create opportunity and improve quality of life.

Last month, I hosted a webinar for local governments and community organizations on how to successfully apply for Climate Bond funding ($10 Billion) for local projects. You can watch the full webinar on my website.

We also welcomed state leaders from Sacramento to help demystify the process of applying for appointments to state boards and commissions. Event photos and informational materials are available online. 

Stay tuned to learn more about future events, which will include:

  • How to apply for a job with the State of California
  • California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) opportunities for small businesses

There are also important opportunities available for students across our region. Applications are now open for:

These programs provide valuable financial support for higher education—and I encourage eligible students to apply.

Thank you, as always, for staying engaged and helping build a stronger Inland Empire.