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. Commentary: Before another wildlife disaster, we must act together – Capital Press Klamath Basin county...
In simultaneous hearings on August 13, the Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees acted on approximately 700 bills on their respective suspense files. Measures with cost impacts over the committee-designated Suspense File threshold faced two possible outcomes:...
On August 13, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) adopted a Decision establishing a standardized customer reliability reporting framework for the state’s three large investor-owned utilities (IOUs): PG&E, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas...
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) has published the Notice of Proposed Action to amend sections 650, 672, 672.1, and 672.2 to Title 14, California Code of Regulations (CCR). Amendments include management measures for watercraft removed from...
On Wednesday, August 12, Governor Newsom and First Partner Siebel Newsom announced the Free Fourth Grade Pass, offering unlimited access to 54 participating state parks. Passes can be downloaded through ReserveCalifornia. State Parks is updating its free pass...
On August 7, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act (H.R. 5366), sending the bipartisan legislation to the President’s desk. Introduced by Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Rick Scott (R-FL), with companion...
On August 7, the U.S. Senate confirmed Glen R. Smith as USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development by a vote of 51–47. As Under Secretary, Smith will oversee the Rural Utilities Service, Rural Housing Service, and Rural Business-Cooperative Service. A fifth-generation...
SitelogIQ is proud to be your Premier Rural County Partner –building Sustainable Community Infrastructure! SitelogIQ is proud to be a U.S. Owned & Operated, top-tier National ESCO providing energy efficiency, community microgrid, EV charging, and facility...
Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties. Grecia Staton, of West Sacramento, has been appointed Chief Deputy Director at the Department of Industrial Relations. Staton has been Deputy Director of Disability...
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. The right to additional legal counsel requires state funding – Sacramento Bee In this Op-Ed, RCRC...
The State Controller’s Office (SCO) has circulated the draft claiming instructions for two newly adopted test claims for reimbursable state-mandated programs. Local agencies follow the SCO’s claiming instructions to file claims for reimbursement with the SCO. The...
RCRC supported Assembly Bill 35, authored by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego), which was signed into law by Governor Newsom on July 16th. This measure will exempt Proposition 4 (Climate Bond) funding from the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), enabling...
A letter, issued on August 4, 2026, by the Department of Finance shared that $34 million dollars has been allocated to counties to expedite the vote counting process and to provide voter outreach and education for the November 3, 2026, statewide general election. Of...
On August 6, the Senate Agriculture Committee marked up the Agricultural Act of 2026, but a motion to report the bill failed 10- 11. Rather than adjourn the meeting, Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) recessed the Committee, subject to the call of the Chair, preserving...
Updated August 13, 2026 The Senate’s stopgap funding bill (H.R. 6500), which would fund federal agencies through December 11, would also provide a temporary reprieve from the upcoming prohibition on most hemp-derived THC products. The ban was enacted late last year...
Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties. Natalie Arroyo, of Eureka, has been reappointed to the Klamath River Renewal Corporation Board of Directors, where she has served since 2019. Arroyo has been a Supervisor...
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. California Asks Court to Toss AT&T’s Copper Retirement Suit – Broadband Breakfast California...
RCRC, in coalition with the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) and the League of California Cities (CalCities), supported Senate Bill 935 authored by Senator Steven Choi (R-Irvine), which was signed into law by Governor Newsom on July 16th. This measure...
This week, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman (R-AR) stated that he expects to mark up the Senate Farm Bill by August 6, in an effort to advance it before the August recess. However, the timing remains uncertain. Senator Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY)...
A group of twenty-two U.S. Senators led by Peter Welch (D-VT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) is urging USDA to reconsider its proposed reorganization of the Rural Development mission area. In a July 24 letter to Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden, the Senators warn...
On July 29, 2026, the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources advanced, by voice vote, two bills introduced by Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA). The MORE WATER Act would reauthorize expiring Bureau of Reclamation programs that fund water recycling projects...
A monthly update regarding the important work of RCRC’s affiliate entities, providing innovative services for the benefit of rural communities. Golden State Connect Authority RCRC-affiliate Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA) continues to make steady progress...
Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties. Ian Bastek, of Roseville, has been appointed Chief Deputy Director at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. Bastek has been Acting Chief Deputy Director...
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. Rural County Representatives of California Opposes AT&T Petition that Threatens Universal Telephone...
RCRC’s Barbed Wire newsletter will be on hiatus, returning July 31, 2026. In the meantime, keep an eye on the Advocacy News page of the website for updates impacting California’s rural...
Registration is now open for RCRC’s 2026 Annual Meeting! The conference will be held September 23–25, 2026 at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort in Santa Barbara County. This year’s program will feature experts discussing a wide range of topics from...
On June 25, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) conducted a workshop on wireless service quality issues, and the impacts network outages have on communities, especially during times of emergencies. RCRC member counties were represented on the workshop...
The Federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed rewriting 2 CFR Part 200, the Uniform Guidance and the section governing federal grants counties receives. NACo is encouraging counties to submit a comment to OMB before the Monday, July 13th comment...
In a webinar on Thursday, July 9, CalHHS leadership provided an update on the latest efforts to address H.R. 1 impacts on safety-net programs in California and highlight recent guidance. View the H.R. 1 Update HERE. Earlier in July, CalHHS leadership provide a...
The Rural County Representatives of California is officially accepting submissions for our Tenth Annual Rural County Photo Contest from July 1 through July 31, 2026! We invite you to share original images that capture the beauty, diverse landscapes, architecture, and...
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