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...
On August 29, the California Senate Appropriations Committee held two measures that attempted to provide California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) relief for wildfire prevention projects. AB 1227 (Ellis, R-Bakersfield) would have created a temporary CEQA exemption...
Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is proposing to disapprove of California’s Heavy-Duty (HD) Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Requirements as it applies to out-of-state and out-of-country vehicles. The HD I/M requirement in...
On September 2, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), announced he secured significant federal funding for two airports in San Luis Obispo County for infrastructure improvements. SLO County Airport will receive $2,725,597.00 to construct a new 315-foot Taxiway...
Following several months of stakeholder outreach and focus group engagement, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has announced upcoming webinars discussing resources and tools available to assist local jurisdictions with clean energy...
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. Lights out in rural California – Politico In this POLITICO article, John Kennedy, senior policy...
Friday morning, the State Assembly and Senate began the final push to the finish line of the legislative year with the final Appropriations Committee “suspense” hearings of 2025. For the Fall suspense hearings, bills from the other house with a significant cost to the...
RCRC strongly supports the Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 471/S. 1462), which is co-sponsored by 21 members of California’s Congressional delegation, including U.S. Senator Alex Padilla. This measure would provide pathways to improve and expedite forest management and...
On August 22, CalRecycle began the official Administrative Procedure Act process by releasing proposed SB 54 single-use packaging regulations for public comment. Comments are due by October 7. SB 54 (Allen) of 2022 requires manufacturers of single use packaging and...
Circular Action Alliance (CAA), the producer responsibility organization (PRO) selected to administer California’s SB 54 single use packaging law, has announced a series of consultation sessions for stakeholders. As the PRO, CAA will coordinate industry efforts and...
On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a five-day extension of the deadline to submit comments on the proposed USDA Reorganization Plan. Comments were originally due on August 26, 2025, but will now be accepted through August 31, 2025. The...
On Wednesday, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the intent to develop an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed rescission of the USDA Forest Service Roadless Rule. The Rule, which was finalized in 2001, prohibits road...
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