The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is asking California residents to share their experiences with internet access in order to update its Interactive Broadband Map. Feedback can be provided on broadband speeds and technology that does not match what is...
RCRC opposes Assembly Bill 2494, authored by Assemblymember Chris Rogers (D-Santa Rosa), which seeks to significantly alter the mission, funding structure, and management framework of California’s demonstration state forests. The demonstration forest system was...
On March 17, the Department of the Interior announced $889 million in investments for critical water infrastructure projects across the West, funded through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Specifically, California projects will receive $540 million of the total...
On March 16, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Save our Sequoias Act (H.R. 2709). The bill aims to enhance interagency coordination between state, federal, and tribal partners, accelerate forest restoration efforts, and provide science-based...
On March 19th, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security advanced Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to be the next Secretary of Homeland Security by a vote of 8-7, with Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and John Fetterman (D-PA) each crossing party lines to vote no and yes,...
Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties. Janeth Corona, of El Centro, has been appointed to the Salton Sea Conservancy Governing Board. Corona has been the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement Program...
RCRC press releases and related news clips about RCRC and our member counties. Please note that a subscription may be required to read some external publications. What California’s ‘snow-eater heat wave’ means for fire season – San Francisco Chronicle California’s...
On Wednesday March 11th, Governor Newsom announced round two of Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) awards, totaling $1.2 billion to fund an additional 66 projects across 130 behavioral health facilities. The Governor specifically touted...
RCRC, in coalition with the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) and the League of California Cities (CalCities), is supporting Senate Bill 935 authored by Senator Steven Choi (R-Irvine). This measure seeks to allow local governments to continue to use the...
On Thursday March 12, the U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act by a vote of 89-10. The bill combines the Senate’s ROAD to Housing Act (S. 2651) from last year with elements of the Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644) which...
Last week, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) introduced the Doug LaMalfa Protect Innocent Victims of Taxation After Fire Extension Act. Re-introduced in memorial to the late Mr. LaMalfa, this bill would exempt wildfire relief payments made to victims from federal income...
The farm bill continues to face an unclear road forward, even as the House Agriculture Committee voted 34-17 on March 5 to advance a new five-year bill. House Agriculture Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson has expressed his hope to bring the legislation to the full...
RCRC press releases and related news clips about RCRC and our member counties. Please note that a subscription may be required to read some external publications. March 11: Mariposa County Leader Becomes Rural Advocate In New Role – KVPR RCRC Chair and Mariposa...
Since November of 2025, RCRC has hosted six of the major Gubernatorial candidates in a series of policy-focused meet and greets with representatives from RCRC’s Board of Directors, to discuss the unique issues that rural counties face. These conversations have been an...
On February 20, Assembly Member Heather Hadwick (R-Alturas) introduced RCRC-sponsored Assembly Bill 2667 regarding vapes. AB 2667 seeks to protect children, young adults, and the public by: 1) banning disguised vapes and vapes containing video display devices,...
On March 4, the House Agriculture Committee advanced the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 out of committee (H.R. 7567) by a 34–17 vote following two days of markup and debate. While the vote was largely along party lines, seven Democrats joined...
On March 3, California Representative Doris Matsui (D-West Sacramento) and a bipartisan group of lawmakers — Representatives Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), and Russ Fulcher (R-ID) — sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum urging the...
Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties. Theresa Biby, of West Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Director of Program Support at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Biby has been the...
RCRC press releases and related news clips about RCRC and our member counties. Please note that a subscription may be required to read some external publications. Close to Home: Rural California needs help with wildfire mitigation – Press Democrat In a...
The week of February 16, the RCRC Officers, including Mariposa County Supervisor Miles Menetrey; RCRC 1st Vice Chair, Santa Barbara County Supervisor Bob Nelson; RCRC 2nd Vice Chair, Napa County Supervisor Anne Cottrell; and RCRC Immediate Past Chair, Modoc County...
RCRC, in coalition with the California Association of County Treasurers and Tax Collectors, is co-sponsoring Senate Bill 1005 authored by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced). This measure seeks to provide clear authority for public agencies to round when receiving cash...
On February 23, the California Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) announced the availability of grant funding to help prevent the spread of quagga and zebra mussels that threaten California’s waterways and cause negative impacts to recreational...
On March 3, the House Agriculture Committee will begin consideration of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, (H.R. 7567), a comprehensive Farm Bill package intended to address policy areas not included in last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The...
On February 20, Representative Jim Costa (D-Tulare) introduced the Rural Development Modernization Act (H.R. 7609), which would update and standardize how “rural” is defined across U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. The bill would establish a uniform...
A monthly update regarding the important work of RCRC’s affiliate entities, providing innovative services for the benefit of rural communities. Funds Still Available – ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance (HBA) GSFA is pleased to remind our business partners that...
Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties. Christine Ciccotti, of Davis, has been appointed Chief Counsel at the California High Speed Rail Authority. Ciccotti has been Chief Counsel at the California Department of...
RCRC press releases and related news clips about RCRC and our member counties. Please note that a subscription may be required to read some external publications. Federal Cuts Exacerbate Rural California Doctor Shortage — State Affairs Pro At a hearing of the Assembly...
The Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) announced that they have released $125 million in grant funding to support local governments in their efforts to address the public health and safety impacts associated with the legalization of cannabis, as provided...
RCRC is proud to join the League of California Cities in co-sponsoring Senate Bill 922 (Laird, D-Monterey). This measure seeks to reaffirm long-standing local authority related to the recovery of street maintenance and repair costs associated with providing essential...
On Wednesday February 25th at 1 p.m. the Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority (ESJPA), an affiliate of RCRC, is hosting a special technical webinar via Zoom to guide members through the process of submitting reporting requirements for Household Hazardous...
Sarah Dukett
Senior Policy Advocate
Leigh Kammerich
Senior Policy Advocate
John Kennedy
Senior Policy Advocate
Staci Heaton
Senior Policy Advocate
Tracy Rhine
Senior Policy Advocate
Eric Will
Policy Advocate
Mary-Ann Warmerdam
Senior Vice President Governmental Affairs