The federal government shut down on October 1, 2025, at 12:01 a.m., following the rejection of H.R. 5371 in the U.S. Senate. Federal agencies have begun implementing contingency plans, due to a lapse in appropriations. While essential services such as Social Security...
On October 1, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 993 (Hadwick), co-sponsored by RCRC and the California Association of Environmental Health Administrators. AB 993 expands eligibility for CalEPA’s Rural Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) Reimbursement program to...
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GoBiz) announced the opening of the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions with $15 million available for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Local jurisdictions can be awarded up to $75,000 for...
On September 29, the U.S. Senators of California, Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, announced a trio of bipartisan, bicameral bills to promote Tribal management of over 2,000 acres of land in California. The bills would transfer federal land to the Yuhaaviatam of San...
On September 30, Representative Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), Representative Troy Balderson (R-OH-12), and Representative Doris Matsui (D-West Sacramento) led a bipartisan coalition of 70 Members of Congress to urge House and Senate leadership to extend telehealth...
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. Supervisors updated on highs, lows of ARPA broadband investment – Daily Republic Solano County is...
RCRC wishes to thank the participants of the 2025 Annual Meeting, our generous sponsors, and the expert panelists, industry insiders, and our keynote speaker who, together, made this a memorable event. This year, over 325 participants, including representatives from...
The Circular Action Alliance will kick off its California Consultation Series to engage with California cities, counties, and stakeholders to inform its implementation of the SB 54 single use packaging law. Circular Action Alliance was selected by CalRecycle to serve...
On September 23, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released proposed regulations updating its existing Landfill Methane Regulation (LRM). The release begins the formal regulatory process. Written comments must be submitted by November 10th and CARB will hold...
On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $200 million in grant funding for 58 community wildfire resilience projects across the nation. This funding includes nearly $25 million for projects in California, most of which are in RCRC member...
This week, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-Bakersfield) introduced the Water Infrastructure Resiliency Act (H.R. 5513), in partnership with Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01). This bipartisan bill aims to empower communities to modernize their water management systems by...
A monthly update regarding the important work of RCRC’s affiliate entities, providing innovative services for the benefit of rural communities. Rural Advancement Institute Chair Highlights Work Advancing Rural Communities At the RCRC Annual Meeting, RAI Chair...
Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties. Arthur Baggett, of El Portal, has been reappointed to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, where he has served since 2024. Baggett has been Partner and...
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. Redistricting could pair these rural ranchers with Marin voters – Calmatters RCRC Chair and Modoc...
The end of session is always chaotic in California’s Legislature: every year seems to bring a slightly different flavor of chaos. Six years ago, an anti-vaccine protester threw a bloody menstrual cup onto the California Senate Floor during the last night of session. ...
Assembly Bill 339, which would undermine local agencies’ efforts to provide programs and services to the public by requiring new, time-consuming, and costly administrative requirements, has advanced to the Governor’s Desk. RCRC requests that counties submit a letter...
On Wednesday, the California State Legislature released language outlining a proposed deal with the Administration to extend, rename, and allocate funds derived from the state’s Cap-and-Trade program. The proposal is a result of negotiations between the...
The Legislature is poised to make significant changes to last year’s Assembly Bill 98 warehouse permitting legislation. Last year, the Legislature enacted AB 98 (Carrillo) that imposed design standards, permitting requirements, and location restrictions on an...
Senate Bill 254 (Becker) is billed as a measure to save ratepayers money and expedite clean energy permitting; however, a few provisions buried in the 231-page bill will invest even greater power in the California Energy Commission (CEC) under the AB 205 opt-in...
Assembly Bill 993 (Hadwick), co-sponsored by RCRC and the California Association of Environmental Health Administrators, has passed the Legislature and awaits consideration by Governor Newsom. AB 993 expands eligibility for CalEPA’s Rural Certified Unified Program...
On August 28, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) adopted a decision implementing a California LifeLine pilot program for home broadband. The three-year Home Broadband Pilot will provide subsidies up to $30 per month for broadband service to low-income...
On September 10, the Department of the Interior announced that it is proposing to rescind the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule. From the date that the Federal Register notice publishes, a 60-day comment period will open on the proposed rule rescission....
On September 11, Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) introduced the Protect Innocent Victims of Taxation After Fire Extension Act (H.R. 5225). Joining him on this legislation are Representatives Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove), Tom Sherman...
The Barbed Wire will be on hiatus September 19th during RCRC’s 2025 Annual Meeting, taking place September 17-19 in Placer County at the Everline Hotel & Spa. The Barbed Wire will return September 26th. Follow #RCRC and #RCRCAM for the latest...
Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties. David Duncan, of Penryn, has been appointed to the Emergency Medical Services Commission. Duncan has been Medical Director at El Dorado County Emergency Medical Services...
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. Electric customers to pay $9 billion more to state wildfire fund under proposed bill – Los Angeles Times...
In preparation for California’s statewide Special Election on November 4, 2025, the Department of Finance has formally requested the State Controller’s Office to distribute $251.3 million to county elections officials to support election operations. This funding,...
RCRC, in coalition with our local agency partners, strongly opposes Assembly Bill 339, authored by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-Hayward). This measure would undermine local agencies’ efforts to provide programs and services to the public by requiring new,...
Senate Bill 707 (Durazo) represents the most substantial changes to the Brown Act in decades. The bill is an attempt to modernize open meetings by adjusting and extending several recent laws and establishing entirely new provisions. While there are provisions that...
On September 2nd, the California Senate passed AB 581 (Bennett, D-Ventura), which names the bigberry manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca) as the official state shrub. If signed by Governor Newsom, the bigberry manzanita will join the grizzly bear as the official state...
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