RCRC members are encouraged to share letters addressed to state and federal representatives and regulatory bodies with RCRC’s Government Affairs staff. Click “Read More” to access information related to the current status of legislation impacting California’s rural counties.
Assembly Bill 524 (Bigelow): Public Utilities: Fines and Settlements. Assembly Bill 524 Appropriates moneys resulting from specified citations relating to the 2015 Butte Fire to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to be expended for the Department's program known as the State Responsibility Area Fire Prevention Fund and Tree Mortality Grant Program. Status: AB 524 has been vetoed by the Governor. RCRC Position: Support
Assembly Bill 653 (Ridley-Thomas): Property Taxation: Exemption: Indian Tribes. Assembly Bill 653 would exempt from taxation property owned in fee by a federally-recognized Native American tribe that is pursuing a fee-to-trust application. Status: AB 653 is now a “two-year” bill and awaits consideration in the Senate Governance and Finance Committee. RCRC Position: Oppose
Assembly Bill 924 (Bonta): Indian Tribes: Commercial Cannabis Activity. Assembly Bill 924 would authorize the Governor to enter into agreements concerning cannabis activities on lands of federally-recognized sovereign Indian tribes. Status: AB 924 awaits consideration in the Senate Business, Professions & Economic Development Committee. RCRC Position: Oppose
Assembly Bill 1250 (Jones-Sawyer): Counties and Cities: Personal Contract Services. Assembly Bill 1250 would establish specific standards for the use of personal services contracts by counties. Status: AB 1250 awaits consideration in the Senate Rules Committee. RCRC Position: Oppose
Assembly Bill 1665 (Garcia, Eduardo): Telecommunications: Advanced Services Fund: Assembly Bill 1665 would revise eligibility requirements for projects and project applicants for grants funded from the California Advanced Services Fund. Status: AB 1665 awaits the consideration of the Governor. RCRC Position: Requesting Veto
Senate Bill 458 (Wiener): Beverage Container Recycling: Mobile Recycling Program. Senate Bill 458 would permit the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to establish several mobile recycling pilot projects. Status: SB 458 has been signed into law by the Governor. RCRC Position: Support
Senate Bill 563 (Lara): Residential Wood Smoke. Senate Bill 563 would establish the Woodsmoke Reduction Program to replace old wood-burning stoves with cleaner and more efficient alternatives. Status: SB 563 has been signed into law by the Governor. RCRC Position: Support
Senate Bill 568 (Lara): Primary Elections: Election Date. Senate Bill 568 would permanently place the Presidential Primary Election and the Gubernatorial Primary Election in March. Status: SB 568 has been signed into law by the Governor. RCRC Position: Oppose
Senate Bill 649 (Hueso): Wireless Telecommunications Facilities. Senate Bill 649 would amend an existing law which provides that a wireless telecommunications collocation facility is subject to a city or county discretionary permit and is required to comply with specified criteria. Status: SB 649 awaits the consideration of the Governor. RCRC Position: Requesting Veto